Magnetic locks (mag locks) are a critical component of many access control systems, and it’s important to understand how they function, particularly in scenarios where power is lost. This article explains how mag locks operate, why they require power to accept commands from software, and the differences between fail safe and fail secure configurations.
How Mag Locks Work
Mag locks rely on an electromagnetic field to keep a door securely locked. The electromagnetic field is generated when power is supplied to the mag lock. Here are key points about their operation:
- Power Dependency: Without power, the electromagnetic field collapses, and the lock will release automatically.
- Software Commands: For mag locks to respond to software commands, they must have a continuous power supply. If the power is interrupted, the lock cannot receive or execute commands from the software.
Power Outages and Mag Locks
If there is a power outage:
- Fail Safe Mag Locks:
- Fail safe mag locks are designed to unlock when power is lost. This ensures that people can exit safely in emergencies like a fire.
- However, this also means that without power, these locks will remain unlocked until power is restored.
- Fail Secure Mag Locks:
- Mag locks are inherently fail safe by design, as they depend on power to remain locked. For fail secure functionality, you would need a different type of lock (e.g., electronic strike) that stays locked during a power outage.
To maintain access control functionality during a power outage, consider using an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) or backup generator to keep power flowing to your mag locks and access control system.
Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure: What’s the Difference?
The terms fail safe and fail secure describe how locks behave when power is lost:
Fail Safe
- Behavior: Unlocks when power is lost.
- Use Case: Prioritized for safety, especially in emergency exits or fire escapes where people must be able to exit.
- Example: Mag locks are typically fail safe.
Fail Secure
- Behavior: Remains locked when power is lost.
- Use Case: Prioritized for security, used to keep areas protected even during a power outage.
- Example: Electric strikes can be configured as fail secure.
Key Considerations:
- Safety vs. Security: Fail safe locks prioritize life safety, while fail secure locks prioritize asset protection.
- Environment: Consider the purpose of the door. Emergency exits typically use fail safe locks, while sensitive areas like server rooms may use fail secure solutions.
Recommendations for Customers
- Power Backup: To ensure uninterrupted operation of your mag locks and software controls, invest in a UPS or backup generator.
- Understand Your Needs: Decide whether fail safe or fail secure locks are appropriate based on the safety and security requirements of your environment.
- Regular Testing: Periodically test your access control system and backup power to ensure everything works as expected during an outage.
Summary
- Mag locks require power to operate and to respond to software commands.
- In the event of a power outage, fail safe mag locks will unlock, while fail secure locks will remain locked.
- Evaluate the safety and security needs of your space to choose the appropriate lock type and consider a backup power solution to maintain functionality during outages.
For further questions or assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team.