Each owner tries to secure his home as much as possible. For the sake of this, he installs a metal front door. But which lock will be the most reliable? What to look for when choosing? In this article you will find information about the security classes of entrance door locks and much more.
Selection principles
When buying a lock for the front door, you must always adhere to certain principles. This will help you make the right choice among the various classes of locks. These principles include:
- Miser pays twice. Saving does not always pay off. It’s better to get one good castle than spend two, but worse and cheaper. In addition, cheap models are not always reliable and you will not be provided with security.
- Better yet, get some reliable locks. In the event of a breakdown, you can immediately change one of them, without leaving the living space unprotected from the attacks of unclean persons.
- Bought a bad castle can cause a lot of trouble to the owner. Often, such units seize and jam. It turns out that not only attackers will not get into your apartment, but you yourself.
- Double protection. It is recommended to install several locks on the front door at once. In addition, it is desirable to use different classes of locks. For example, level and cylinder at the same time. Firstly, it will increase the time of penetration into the apartment. And secondly, it will make the robbers sophisticated and pick up various ways to open locks.
If you follow these simple tips, then the nerves of all family members will be saved, as will your property.
Types of locks by type of mechanism
It is logical that there are various classes of protection for locks. They are distinguished by different criteria. We give a classification according to the type of locking mechanisms.
- Suvalnye (mortise and external).
- Cylinder (laid on and cut-in).
- Smartlocks (smart locks).
Each of the species has its positive and negative sides. In addition, they belong to different price ranges. This allows you to choose a lock based not only for security reasons, but also considering financial possibilities.
Types of locks by installation method
The reliability of the castle and the security of the home is also affected by the way it is installed. There are mortise and overhead models. Let's consider them in more detail.
- Mortise lock. This is the most common option. From the name it is clear that the mechanisms in this case crash into the front door. Therefore, when choosing them, you need to take into account the width of the entrance and the dimensions of the lock block. Locks of this kind are quite reliable and, when properly installed and used, they can be extremely durable.
- Overhead locks are located outside the door. They seem to be attached from above. In rare cases, a separate groove is created specifically for such a castle. Due to their geometric shape, they are often called boxed. They are not as reliable as mortise, so they are often installed as an additional means of protection. Often complete with a padlock is a chain and a “dog”. This is another way to improve the safety of your home.
Devices of various types of locks
Different classes of locks are arranged differently, and each has its own principle of operation.
The cylindrical structure includes a power locking mechanism and a cylinder into which a key is inserted. When it enters the mechanism, the pins take a certain position. Thanks to this, the lock rotates. In modern technology, they can also use probes and discs as an addition. The reliability is determined by the number of pins in the cylinder.
The mechanism of the level lock is single and consists of plates that are built into the power unit. They can not be replaced, which can not be said about the pins in the cylindrical unit. The principle of operation is as follows: during a turn, the center distance between the levers (plates) changes. They are arranged in the shape of a key and the lock opens.
A completely different level of device in electronic models. Since this technology has appeared recently, it is not observed at all doors - the most common use case is access, rather than entrance. For the latter, combined solutions are often installed. The main ones in them are old proven mechanisms, and electronics is used only for insurance. Such locks operate on electromagnets.
Cylinder lock: advantages and disadvantages
The protection class of cylinder locks has its advantages, namely:
- affordable price category;
- decent appearance;
- ease of installation;
- simple removal of the key hole, which allows you to repair this type of locks.
However, some positions relate more to the disadvantages:
- the lock can be unscrewed with an ordinary screwdriver or a Phillips screwdriver;
- low reliability;
- too light design, because of which it can be knocked out with a metal rod and hammer.
Pros and cons of the lever mechanism
One of the classes of castles - level, also has its advantages. Among them:
- knocks out only with the door;
- it cannot be drilled;
- quite easy to install;
- the more suvald is used, the less the lock is subject to opening with master keys.
There are also disadvantages. Namely:
- too cumbersome key;
- there is a hole in the front door, the lining of which does not give reliability to the mechanism;
- the lock cannot be repaired.
Electronic locks: advantages and imperfections
Classes of locks in the degree of protection are headed by electronic mechanisms. These are new modern technologies that have their own advantages and attract people:
- there are no keyholes;
- recoding function available;
- in some models, remote control is possible.
But there are also flaws:
- the high cost of the mechanism;
- a permanent independent source of energy is needed;
- malfunctions in electronics;
- can be hacked using special unlocking tools.
Padlocks
In this case, it is of great importance what material the material is made of. The protection class of the padlock depends on it. However, they are still not used to protect the front doors. The main place to use this type of mechanism is garages or utility rooms.
So, the principle of operation of the padlock is as follows. It is attached to the door by threading the bow through the special holes, which are called "eyes". This option is the easiest to use. It can easily be replaced if damaged.
But such simple castles have their own criteria by which they differ. It:
- privacy mechanism;
- design;
- material for the manufacture of the body and the bow;
- lock size;
- diameter and length of the bow;
- the presence of waterproof protection;
- number of keys included in the set.
Today there are several varieties of padlocks. Allocate:
- Open type with a semicircular arch. This is the simplest and most well-known mechanism. One movement - the handle clicks and holds (the lock is closed). The second is turning the key and it is released (open).
- Mushroom - the bow has a fixed position. It differs in a cylindrical shape with an increased diameter at the end, which is used for locking.
- Half-closed - the temples are in the eyes. The locking part of the lock is hidden in the housing.
- Closed type. The most reliable, since the bow is completely hidden in the case.
As for the material for the manufacture of padlocks, steel, especially stainless, is preferred. But this pleasure is not cheap. A compromise option is cast iron, which is resistant to corrosion and deformation and is cheaper than stainless steel.
The main drawback of these designs is the simplicity of breaking the product. It is enough to have a simple iron rod to make the padlock unusable. Therefore, it is recommended to choose cast constructions with protected and hardened temples.
The world of technology does not stand still. Therefore, even such simple designs can be improved. Now apply the model with an alarm. They work on batteries and react (a siren sounds) to an attempt to break an arm or to a blow.
Padlocks are used everywhere: both indoors and outdoors. The main areas of use: suitcases, mailboxes, basements, garages, sheds, storage rooms, booths, containers, attics and more.
Locks reliability classes
In GOST, lock protection classes are partially prescribed. This is because the time of hacking and “exposure” of the mechanism is averaged and conditional. It is designed for the average attacker with a set of master keys, a mount and a hammer.
So, there are four classes of stability of the locking mechanisms:
- 1 class. The most unreliable. Opening time - 3-4 minutes. Their mechanism is the simplest. They are made of cheap and low-quality materials. Typically, such locks are installed on interior doors.
- 2nd grade. More reliable. It opens in 5-7 minutes. Suitable for installation on entrance doors.
- 3rd grade. Mechanisms of medium reliability. Able to keep thieves for about 15 minutes. The mechanism is necessarily equipped with additional secrets. The quality of the parts manufactured is quite high. Locks of this class are most often installed on the front doors of apartments and private houses.
- 4th grade. The strongest and most reliable units. Opening time - at least 30 minutes. They are used in places of increased protection and installed on heavy armored doors.
Guardian (Russia)
The domestic company "Guardian" offers to install mechanisms of its own production. Locks are manufactured at a factory in Russia in the city of Yoshkar-Ola, Mari El Republic. The factory produces more than 40 models suitable for entrance wooden, metal, plastic and aluminum doors. Units meet modern requirements for the degree of security, secrecy, operation and functionality.
Guardian lock protection classes are considered very reliable. They are based on their own combined design. Six bolts and a latch in combination with a cylindrical core prevent quick breaking of the lock.