Each of us strives to protect our home as efficiently as possible from the attacks of intruders. Penetration can be prevented in various ways, but the simplest and at the same time effective is the installation of a metal (or even armored) door. But even in this case, 100% security cannot be guaranteed, because each entrance group has a weak spot - a keyhole.
An experienced thief can break any lock in a matter of minutes, after which the protective structure loses all its useful properties. But if an armor plate on a
cylinder lock is installed
, then the reliability and burglar resistance of the door will increase significantly. Only one question remains: how does it protect the keyhole?
Armor plates
Armor plate is a decorative element made of high-strength and wear-resistant steel, which serves to protect the lock mechanism from the onslaught of vandals or breaking by drilling or tearing. In its design, the armor plate has only two moving parts, which is necessary for the key to enter the keyhole. In accordance with this, for each mechanism, it is necessary to select the original armored pad.
The armor plate on the cylinder lock differs from the protective element on the suction mechanism only in the form of a cutout for the key, as well as the presence of rotating parts. Both types are made of high-strength steel with an optimal percentage of carbon, which provides the necessary hardness, strength and at the same time ductility to protect against impact.
Armor plate device
Structurally, the armor plate is a metal plate with a shape corresponding to the shape of the lock. Its dimensions are determined in such a way as to provide the best protection for the central part of the mechanism. To protect the core, the design has a special swivel washer up to 6 mm thick. It is made of chrome alloy steel.
In order for the armor plate on the cylinder lock to increase the degree of security of the apartment, it must fit snugly against it. To this end, miniature spacer mechanisms that control the height of the lining attachment cope. In some models there are no such adjusting screws - the armor plate is attached directly to the lock.
To give an attractive appearance, as well as to “fit” the element into the door design, it is painted with a special anti-corrosion compound in the color of bronze, brass, chrome and other metals. Armored pads can be bought at the store, but it is best to order their manufacture.
Types of armor plates
All types of protective elements are classified according to the level of protection they provide. First of all, it is worth highlighting solid and separate varieties. The armor plate on the cylinder lock has two parts in its design - one of them is installed directly on the keyhole, and the second under the door handle. Such a system can be called more reliable, because the most vulnerable places are protected separately from each other.
Continuous overlays represent a monolithic plate in which cuts under the handle and the core of the lock are made. On the one hand, it is less reliable (an attacker may try to pick up a plate at the door handle), but on the other, it significantly increases the time required for breaking.
Armor plates can also be divided into mortise and invoice according to the installation technology. Each installation method has its own characteristics and requires separate consideration.
Laid on armor plates
The presented protective pads have low reliability and resistance to mechanical stress - if necessary, an attacker can simply knock down such a structure. The thing is that the installation of the armor plate on the cylinder lock is carried out from the outside of the door.
It is superimposed on the
locking device and pressed against the metal surface with tie bolts that are inserted from the inside of the door. If the screws are tightened sufficiently enough, the plate will crash into the steel sheet and become like a molded protective element. But in practice, implementing something like this is not always possible.
Mortise armor plates
Mortise armored pads consist of two plates. One of them is fixed on the outside of the door structure directly to the keyhole, and the second is installed on the inside. The tightening screws bind both plates into a single system, which is why it is impossible to pull it out. The only drawback that the mortise armor plate on the cylinder lock possesses is the price. Its value can reach 10 thousand rubles.
The presented type of linings can be mounted in the door structure at the time of its manufacture. In this case, the design can be attached to the castle itself or buried in an armored sheet of metal. This installation method significantly increases burglar resistance.
Armor plates with a magnetic mechanism
Armor plates with a magnetic mechanism - an innovative technology for protecting the locking mechanism. In their design there is a special protective cap. Such an armor plate on a cylinder lock completely blocks access to the core. Protection is increased, not only against hacking, but also against the onslaught of vandals - pouring glue into the well or sticking matches there will fail.
To open a lock protected by this design, you must have a special magnetic security code, which is usually embedded in the master keys. They prefer to buy magnetic armor plates to protect street doors.
Rules for choosing armor plates
To choose the right armor plate, you need to find out the diameter and length of the protruding part of the castle (if the castle is not built into the door). When choosing elements, you should pay attention to the material of manufacture. It is better if it is a high-carbon steel coated with anti-corrosion compounds. In addition, the armor plate on the cylinder lock should match the color of the door. Bronze, chrome, steel - these are common shades that will fit into any design.
In order not to get lost in a huge assortment, pay attention to the world's leading manufacturers. These include Disec, Kale, Mottura, Rezident. The products of these manufacturers are made of high-strength carbon steel, which is not amenable to drilling. Even overhead construction will increase the burglar resistance by an order of magnitude.
But special attention deserves the armor plate Cisa on the cylinder lock from the Italian manufacturer. The protective fittings are made of cemented nitrided steel, have a unique design and have no vulnerabilities.