Electric Locks – Installation Advice & Check List

by | Dec 15, 2015 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Installing Electric Locks? Get things right the first time and avoid a return visit.

Have a look through our useful installation advice and checklist below, and make sure that you don’t have to go back a second time.

Power Supply 

  • Check that you have the correctly specified power supply connected.
  • Check that you have enough power going all the way to the lock – correct voltage must be 12v AC to lock itself
    • Less than 12V and the lock might not always release correctly (unless the lock has a function for reduced power supply)
    • More than 12V and the coil can heat up and burn out
  • Make sure Amperage is sufficient to avoid power drops (1.5 amp or 3 amp for long cables)
  • ALWAYS USE A VOLTAGE METER!

Wiring

  • Ensure that you use the correct thickness of cable
    • Use minimum of 1 mm2 (square) diameter flex up to 30m cable length
    • Use minimum 1.5 mm2 flex above 30m
  • Make sure that all wires are tucked away and not exposed or accessible
  • Exposed wires pose a security risk

Mind the Gap

  • Ensure that you have the recommended gap between the frame and the lock body so that the lock will load and set correctly
    • If the gap between the frame and the lock body is too narrow the latch can get stuck
    • If the gap between the frame and the lock body is too wide the latch won’t latch and set properly
  • Optimum gap for most electric locks is 3 – 4 mm
  • Optimum gap for Aluminium doors – 2mm
  • Optimum gap for Rim Electric locks can go up to 4.5mm

Installation

  • Make sure that the Cylinder Barrel is facing the right way up (with the CISA logo facing to the top)
  • If you are installing a Rim Electric Lock and the cylinder barrel sticks out it needs to be protected with a CISA weld-on protective box, otherwise it can become a security risk
  • If you are installing a Euro-Profile cylinder in a Mortise Electric Lock then you need to use a protective rose or Escutcheon
  • On Mortised Electric Locks make sure that you protect the coil of the locks as much as possible from weather – seal the tops of the gate tubing and make sure the top of the lock-style is sealed, otherwise rainwater will seep in and can damage the coil.

Maintenance

  • Ensure periodic maintenance and lubrication
  • USE WD40
  • Spray on Latch & Load pin, Dead Bolt and Cylinder (but avoid contact with the coil)
  • DO NOT spray onto the Coil (avoid the coil completely)
  • DO NOT use a Silicon based spray. This can cause more harm than good.