Posts Tagged ‘door locks’

Alexanders Great Guidelines To Follow If Shopping For Electronic Door Locks

An electronic lock (more exactly an electrical lock) is a locking device which operates by way of electric current. Electric locks are typically self-contained with an electric control assembly mounted on to the lock. More often electric locks are hooked up to an access management system. The advantages of an electric lock connected to an access management system are: key control, where keys can be added plus removed while not re-keying the lock cylinder; fine access management, where time plus place are factors; and transaction logging, where activity is recorded.

The most basic type of electronic door lock is the magnetic lock (commonly called a mag lock). A big electro-magnet is hooked up to the door frame and a corresponding armature is mounted on the door. When the magnet is powered and the door is shut, the armature is held fast to the magnet. Mag locks are quick to put in plus are very attack resistant. A drawback is that improperly put in or maintained mag locks can fall on people. and additionally that 1 have to unlock the mag lock to each enter and leave. This has caused fire departments to enforce strict regulations on the use of mag locks and the access management practice in general. Additionally, NFPA one hundred one, Standard for Life Safety and Security, as well as the ADA (Americans with Disability Act) require “no prior data” and “one simple movement” to allow “free egress”. This implies that an individual must be able to walk up to a door plus with one motion (no push buttons, or having another person unlock the door, or scan a sign “special data”) plus exit. Other issues are a lag time in releasing as the collapsing magnetic field is not instantaneous. This lag time can cause a individual to walk into the door. Finally, mag locks by design fail unlocked, that is if power is removed they unlock. This might be a problem where security is a prime concern. Additionally, power outages can affect mag locks put in on fire listed doors, which are required to stay latched at all times. So, a mag lock would not meet current fire codes because the primary means of securing a fire listed door to a frame1]. Due to this, lots of commercial doors (this sometimes does not apply to private residences) are moving over to stand alone locks, or electric locks installed under a Certified Personnel Program

A look at Combination Locks

Combination locks use a combination of numbers and symbols in order to gain access to them. They do not use a key like other types of locks. An arrangement of numbers or symbols are entered into the locking mechanism through the use of a single rotating dial or several rotating discs. These discs or dials will act on the internal mechanism of the lock. As soon as the correct sequence is entered, the lock will open.

There are several types of combination locks available today. These are:

Multiple-dial locks

The multiple-dial lock is considered one of the least secure locks available in the market. They are usually used in low-security situations, for example to lock a bike. They are put together using several rotating discs with notches cut unto them. A pin with several teeth is inserted into the lock to secure it. After the right sequence is entered into the lock and the notches and teeth align, it will open.

Opening a multiple-dial lock with no combination is very easy. One trick is to pull the pin while rotating the discs on the lock. Continue rotating each individual disc until a small click is heard. This click signifies that a match between the teeth and the notch has been attained. Continue the same process on all the other discs until the lock is open. This is a very easy process, requiring only a bit of patience.

Single-dial locks

Single-dial locks are much safer than the Multiple-dial locks. Due to their safety, you will find these locks on most safes or padlocks. Their mechanism consists of a rotating dial. To open them, you dial the first number clockwise, the second number counterclockwise, and so on. Once all the numbers have been dialed in and the notches align, the lock will open.

Even with the increased safety of Single-dial locks, early production padlocks were easy to open. For example, in the early days you could get a padlock opened by turning the dial while pulling on the shackle until the dial stopped. By doing this, you could guess the combination easily and with very little effort.

Electronic locks

The new electronic combination locks make use of electronic circuits to secure the lock . These electronic marvels expect you to enter a sequence of numbers on a keypad. If the combination of number is the correct one, the lock opens.

A benefit of these locks is that a key is no longer required. You only need to remember a numeric combination. The one drawback is that if you lose or forget the combination, a new one must be re-programmed into the lock.

If you live in South Florida and have a need for a commercial locksmith in Fort Lauderdale, check us out at Locksmith of Fort Lauderdale. We will help you choose the best lock to keep your business safe and secure.

How to pick a lock?

Have you ever experienced locking yourself out of your car or home?. Wouldn’t you want to be able to pick the lock to get your keys back? When we hear the phrase “lock picking”, we think crime, burglars, or illegal activity. But this is not always the case. Of course, you could break the window of your home to get back in, but you are better off calling a professional locksmith to open your doors so that you can get back in with minimal effort and aggravation.

Just like anything else in life, the right tools make a big difference. The basic lock picking kit contains a lock pin and a tension wrench. Of course, in an emergency, you can replace the lock pin with a hair pin. The Professional lock picking kits include a wide variety of tension wrenches for many different lock pins. Some of them will even include a lock picking gun which vibrates in order to push the pins inside the lock at the same time in order to open it.

The first thing you need to do when picking a lock is to insert the tension wrench that came with the kit into the keyhole of the lock you want to open. After the wrench is in all the way in, try to turn the cylinder. Next, use the appropriate lock pin to help pry up the pins in the lock. As soon as the pins reach their normal “open” position, you will hear a “click” sound. The click sound tells you that the lock has been opened.

Racking is another popular technique used to pick locks. Racking uses a special pick tool known as the rake. To use the rake, introduce it into the lock to be opened. Push the rake all the way in, then pull the rake out quickly, making sure it hits all the pins in the lock as it is pulled out. Done properly, this will set the lock to the “open” position.

Out of all the locks available in the market today, Master makes some of the hardest ones to pick. They offer one of the toughest systems against lock picking. Introduced in 1921 by Henry Soref, Master locks are built using laminated layers of solid steel. Even though the technology used by Master is very similar to all other locks in the market, it usually takes a skilled and patient locksmith to open one of their locks.

To learn more about this fascinating topic of lock picking, there are all sorts of information available online, in videos and books. You can find information as close as your local library. A lot of the books available will also contain a video CD with step by step instruction on how to pick a lock. Also, if you want to become a professional locksmith, there are courses available in your local universities and community colleges.

All locks are susceptible to lock picking. Some are tougher than others. This is why you want to make sure you pick the right lock for the right job.

If you live in South Florida, make sure you consult with a professional locksmith in Fort Lauderdale in order to pick the best lock to keep your valuables safe. Check our website at Locksmith of Fort Lauderdale.

A simple way to deter burglaries: Lock your doors!

There was a time when you could be safe in your home even with your doors and windows unlocked. Unfortunately, these days it is a necessity to keep all your doors and windows under lock for security.

According to the National Crime Prevention Council most homes do not have the correct lock security on them. Close to half of the homes in the United States have deadbolts on all doors, and nearly a fifth don’t have any deadbolts at all.

It is recommended that you revise the locks on all doors and windows in your house in order to keep your family and belongings safe and secure. Make sure you choosehigh quality locks that will not be vulnerable to lock picking, drilling and popping. Make sure to check with your local residential locksmith in Fort Lauderdale for more details.

The following tips from the National Crime Prevention Council can help you secure your home:

• Lock all your doors and windows. This will make certain your loved ones and belongings are safe and secure.
• Keep all bushes under the windows trimmed. This will prevent thieves from using them as hiding places.
• Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Check to see if there is a neighborhood watch you can join. Neighbors are a great asset in crime prevention.
• If you need to leave a spare key, make certain that it is in the hands of a trusted neighbor or family member. Don’t try to hide a key around the house, burglars know all the hiding spaces.
• Make certain that all doors and windows are properly lighted. Good lighting will keep the burglars away.
• If you go on vacation, make sure to stop all mailings and paper deliveries. A pile of newspapers and mail in the front door is a clear sign that the house is empty.

For more information on how to secure your home, check out Reliable Locksmith of Fort Lauderdale or your local locksmith.