The lock cylinder is the code part of the mechanism, which ensures the secrecy of the structure and moves the bolts. Because the cylinder is inserted inside the case and looks like an oblong part, it was dubbed the common people in the common people.
A lot of buyers are wondering how to choose a cylinder for the lock, what needs to be taken into account and, in general, what varieties of this mechanism exist. Let’s try to understand the entire structural variety of “larvae” by considering the basic standards, parameters and nuances.
Before choosing a cylinder, you should know that there are a lot of types of "larvae". Denote the most common models that meet European standards DIN ("Europrofile"). In addition, their widespread use has replaced other similar types of cylinders.
Certified mechanisms are produced by many countries: from Japan to Portugal. The price of the "larva" directly depends on the design features and the manufacturer (from 100 to 30,000 rubles). The more serious the brand and the better the mechanism, the higher its cost. Here you can add some innovative ideas, original protective mechanisms, material, etc.
In order for a simple layman to figure out how to choose a cylinder, it is necessary to clarify the main parameters that are responsible for the operation of the mechanism.
Length and offset
The first parameter is the length: the distance from one edge of the cylinder to the other. Depending on the thickness of the door leaf and the lock, the sizes vary.
The next is the displacement of the "larva". As a rule, the cylinder for the mortise lock is divided by a rotary cam, which is shifted to one side, dividing the mechanism into the outer and inner parts. If the cam is exactly in the middle, then the cylinder is considered equilateral.
Dimensions
For example, the cylinder sizes for Turkish-made locks of the English type are as follows: 71 mm with an offset of 40 and 31 mm respectively. This design is used mainly in plastic products: office and balcony doors, verandas, arbors and more.
The most common cylinder sizes for locks are Chinese mechanisms with a total length of 90 mm. This size is widely used on Chinese-made entrance and interior doors that literally flooded our market.
When choosing a lock for a cylinder, it is important to take into account that the entire structure does not protrude beyond the plane of the door leaf from one side or the other. If the door is made of wood, then the "larva" should be flush with the decorative trim. The maximum permissible peeping of the "larva" is 3 mm: everything that goes beyond this framework can easily be used by crackers. In the event that the lock will be equipped with an armor plate, the length of the outer part of the mechanism will already depend on the specific dimensions of this plate and the door itself.
Lock cylinder with pinwheel
Sometimes the cylinder can be equipped with a rotary turntable for convenience. It allows you to easily open and close the mechanism without a key. It is worth noting that the pinwheel does not have “dead spots”, therefore, at any position of the slider, the native key on the other hand will always open the lock.
The main model range is presented on our market by Chinese manufacturers (60 mm mechanism) and more expensive Italian models with a rotary handle (72 mm).
Other cylinder standards
If the models indicated above are suitable for almost any lock and you can safely buy them on standard doors, then the following mechanisms have specific dimensions and can only be used for a specific design or one manufacturer. Therefore, always pay attention to the "larva" specification before choosing a cylinder.
The most striking example of originality is the products of the Turkish company Kale Kilit. Their locks are characterized by increased reliability, but are suitable only for mechanisms of the same type. Some competent craftsmen can remake the Chinese castle under the cylinder from Kale Kilit, while receiving a significantly reduced cost of the mechanism.
Domestic castles
Domestic manufacturers do not lag behind import, although prices with similar quality are sometimes higher than Turkish ones. Kirov cylinders with a cross key have proven themselves perfectly, and just like in the previous case, the domestic mechanism cannot be inserted into the imported case and vice versa.
Before choosing a cylinder, it should be noted that for some domestic mechanisms you can purchase a "larva" separately. A vivid example is the often breaking mechanism "Fort", which is produced in Petrozavodsk. The obvious cheapness of the design has its undeniable disadvantages: the secrecy mechanisms along with the main cylinder assemblies are made of a waste and brittle silumin alloy, hence the frequency of breakdowns, and at the same time the opportunity to buy a new cylinder assembly (good marketing move).
Other domestic mechanisms such as Glazov and Iset also suffer from similar problems: too fragile materials, coupled with poor quality products. But, unlike the Kirov castles, specific cylinders are not sold separately by factories, so you have to order them in China.
Secret
The cylinder in the door lock in most cases is the weakest link in the locking mechanism. Attackers break them, drill them, or simply pick a master key, so the reliable secret of the castle is the main obstacle to this kind of treachery. You need to choose the mechanism wisely and save on the cylinder in no way worth it. Consider the basic methods of hacking and how to avoid them.
Pick picking. An intelligent manufacturer always equips its mechanisms with false grooves, greatly complicating the process of selecting a key.
Bumping . The method is based on brute force: any suitable key is inserted into the well, then it is struck with a hammer. The pins and pins diverge, and the mechanism is already useless. High-strength cylinder material and a non-standard well help in this case.
Drilling. The only protection against this type of hacking is reinforced alloys and metals that cannot be drilled.
Knocking out. The main protection is again the materials of which the cylinder is made. The best option is carbide elements that do not bend, do not crumble and reliably protect against this type of hacking.
Summarizing
When choosing a cylinder for a lock, in no case should you save money. Good materials are not cheap, so a waste Chinese design for 300-500 rubles will not save you even from an amateur fraudster. It is also worth considering factors such as the durability of the mechanism, design and ease of operation. If you have children in your family whom you trust the key, then the lock should not be an obstacle to quickly get home. Be sure to consider this moment. Sometimes, in the pursuit of anti-burglary mechanisms, people forget about such obvious things as ease of use, and are tormented with uncomfortable keys and tricky locks. Therefore, this factor must also be taken into account.