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What Are the Different Types of Digital Locks?

Benjamin Arie
Benjamin Arie

Digital locks use electronics to safeguard restricted entrances, and are often installed in place of traditional mechanical key locks. There are several different types of digital locks, each with certain advantages. Magnetic locks use electromagnets to keep a door closed, while electric strike locks employ solenoid motors to engage a deadbolt. Common methods of opening digital locks include the use of numeric codes, card keys, and biometrics.

Magnetic varieties of digital locks, also known simply as "mag locks," have an electromagnet embedded in the door frame. A second magnet or a metal plate is installed opposite the electromagnet. When electricity is applied, the magnetic field holds the door tightly closed. Digital magnetic locks are very difficult to physically bypass, since there are no mechanical parts. If electric power is lost, however, a magnetic lock can become inactive.

Magnetic digital locks use electromagnets to keep a door closed.
Magnetic digital locks use electromagnets to keep a door closed.

Electric strike locks use moving parts to keep a door secure. As with a standard deadbolt, the bolt of an electric strike lock slides into the door frame when engaged and prevents the door from opening. While traditional deadbolts must be turned by hand, electric strike locks use powered solenoid motors to push and pull the bolt. This type of digital lock will typically remain closed even if electric power is lost.

Some safes have a digital lock that is opened using a numeric code.
Some safes have a digital lock that is opened using a numeric code.

Digital locks can be activated and deactivated in several different ways. One of the most common access methods is the card key. These plastic keys contain an encoded magnetic information strip, and are often found in modern hotels. The digital code on a card key must match the code programmed into a reader in order for the electronic lock to open. Card keys can be quickly duplicated or changed, and are inexpensive to replace if lost.

Numeric codes can also be used to access digital locks. With this method, a keypad is placed on or near the door. Authorized personnel must enter the correct key sequence to unlock the door. The advantage of a numeric code is that there is no physical key to be misplaced or stolen. As with digital card keys, numeric codes can be changed quickly and easily.

Biometrics can also be used to open digital locks. These are characteristics unique to one individual, and may include fingerprints, eye patterns, and facial structure. A digital biometric lock contains a database of these physical characteristics, and will only unlock if the person opening the door can be identified as an authorized user. Biometric digital locks are typically more sophisticated and expensive than other types, but are usually very secure.

Discussion Comments

umbra21

@clintflint - Or, if it had been a digital pad-lock it might have failed altogether and you would not have been able to coax it open. There's no way to be sure how things will turn out.

Personally, I prefer digital locks because most of the time they are just more convenient. I was one of those people who was always forgetting her keys, but it's much much easier to remember a pass-code. I'm sure eventually we'll get to the point where you won't even have to do that, because your house will just recognize you and will unlock the doors accordingly.

clintflint

@pastanaga - I don't really worry about the difference between digital and traditional locks so much as I do about the difference between cheap and expensive locks.

A cheap lock could fail on you no matter what kind it is, but a well-made lock will last a long time and digital locks are usually more well-made because they have to be to work at all.

When I was backpacking around Europe a few years ago I had a cheap coded padlock (although it wasn't digital) so that I could store my pack at the hostel while I explored whatever city I was in. On the day I was leaving for the airport the lock failed for something like 40 minutes, and I just could not get the locker open. It was one of the worst moments of my life, but thankfully I finally managed to get it to work again and made the plane on time. I suspect if I had shelled out a little bit more in the first place that wouldn't have been an issue.

pastanaga

Digital locks make me nervous, because it just feels like there is more that can go wrong with them. Maybe it's irrational, but at least with a traditional lock I have some idea of what's going on inside the mechanism and I can have faith that the only things that can break are physical rather than electronic. It also seems like there is more of a chance that someone can guess a code than steal a key.

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    • Magnetic digital locks use electromagnets to keep a door closed.
      By: zigzagmtart
      Magnetic digital locks use electromagnets to keep a door closed.
    • Some safes have a digital lock that is opened using a numeric code.
      By: Africa Studio
      Some safes have a digital lock that is opened using a numeric code.