Considering the field of access control at the facility, the electromagnetic lock takes a leading place in the matter of means of locking doors at a point of passage. This simple and at the same time functional type of electric lock allows achieving high efficiency of the ACS system. Electromagnetic lock is an easy-to-use device, and also easy to install, since the priority is its overhead mounting type. From this article, interested users can get fresh and relevant information on the state and trends of the electromagnetic locks market in 2017.
The structure of the electromagnetic lock
The electromagnetic lock consists of an electromagnet of various capacities and additional functionality, including the presence of a Hall sensor, a reed switch, a magnet turn-on delay timer and a built-in relay. Since the power of the electromagnetic lock in most cases is characterized by the covered area of contact of the electromagnet with the striker, the dimensions of the lock itself increase, respectively, with an increase in the pressure value for separation. More efficient electromagnetic locks can significantly reduce energy consumption, thereby causing less constant load on the power supply and allowing them to last longer. In addition, reduced power consumption favorably contributes to the integration of backup power into access control systems, increasing the maximum time of full autonomous operation without the main power supply. A modern electromagnetic lock can be equipped with a Hall sensor and a reed switch, the former being of particular interest. The Hall sensor is currently used only in electromagnetic locks, since its task is to determine the strength of the magnetic field. A visual indicator of the operation of this sensor is a two-color LED on the body of the electromagnetic lock. If there is sufficient downforce between the electromagnet and the strike plate, the LED indicates the closed status of the door, while otherwise the LED will inform the user that the doors are open. This is a very useful functionality during operation or, if some people wish, to use well-known techniques to weaken the clamping force of an electromagnetic lock. Even soot, dust and dirt accumulated on the working surfaces can become an obstacle to the normal pressing of the door to the strike plate, and the Hall sensor will help to understand that the electromagnetic lock does not work as expected and that maintenance and cleaning is required, or the removal of foreign objects between the counter part and by the lock magnet itself.
