The term Magnets is a generic word that can be used to describe a variety of products containing some form of magnetic field. However in the world of Architectural Hardware & Access Control, the term magnet describes locking products specifically designed for use on doors. There are numerous variations, but in the hardware arena the door magnets products tend to be broken down into 3 major types, Face to Face Door Magnets, Shearlock Door Magnets, a recent entry into the marketplace Vortex Door Magnets.
Face to Face Door
Magnets Face to face door magnets
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The term Magnets is a generic word that can be used to describe a variety of products containing some form of magnetic field. However in the world of Architectural Hardware & Access Control, the term magnet describes locking products specifically designed for use on doors. There are numerous variations, but in the hardware arena the door magnets products tend to be broken down into 3 major types, Face to Face Door Magnets, Shearlock Door Magnets, a recent entry into the marketplace Vortex Door Magnets.
Face to Face Door
Magnets Face to face door magnets are most commonly used because of the ease of installation. With no moving parts these products provide a magnetic holding force so that when the door is closed, the magnetic field is switched on & this provides the resistance to the door being opened. The face to face door magnets are fitted to the head of a door & frame & can either be bolted directly to the door & frame, or depending on the configuration can be held in place by a series of L & Z brackets. These brackets also provide a degree of adjustment.
The strength of the face-to-face door magnet is dependent upon the surface area of the magnet face. It is important therefore to be sure of the claimed holding forces for various sized. Generally these magnets offer 250 & 500Kgs holding force. Once installed & depending on the features contained within the magnet the door can be monitored to further enhance the security level. However a word of caution here. Magnets should only be used as part of an access control system. If higher levels of security are needed then additional mechanical locks should be considered.
Shearlock Door Magnets
The Shearlock door magnet works on the same principle as the face-to-face door magnets, by providing locking via a magnetic field. However with this type of product the strength of the magnet is further enhanced by the introduction of 2 shear pins mounted within the body of the lock. The Shearlock door magnets also differ in the way in which the product is installed. Rather than fitted on the face of the door & frame, the Shearlock is fitted within the transom header of the frame & within the header of the actual door. This means that when the Shearlock is fitted the unit is concealed.