Electric Dropbolt Lock 12V with fail-safe and LED Indicator

Electric Dropbolt Lock 12V with fail-safe and LED Indicator

Electric bolt locks and magnetic locks (electromagnetic locks) have distinct technical characteristics and application scenarios. 

The advantages of electric bolt locks over magnetic locks are mainly reflected in security, installation flexibility, and functional adaptability. 

Here is a detailed comparison:

1. Higher Security in Anti-forcing and Anti-destruction

• Mechanical Locking Structure: Electric bolt locks use a mechanical bolt (bolt tongue) to insert into the lock groove for locking, which has strong anti-prying and anti-violent destruction capabilities. Even if the power is cut off, the mechanical structure can still maintain the locking state (depending on the model, some are normally open or normally closed), making it suitable for scenarios requiring high security (such as bank vaults, important warehouses, etc.).
• Magnetic Lock Weakness: Magnetic locks rely on electromagnetic attraction to fix the door. Once the power is cut off, the magnetic force disappears and the door will automatically unlock (normally open type). Although there are emergency power supply solutions, in the event of electromagnetic interference or damage to the magnetic surface, the locking reliability will be reduced.

2. More Flexible Installation and Door Type Adaptability

• Suitable for Various Door Types: Electric bolt locks can be installed on various doors, including wooden doors, metal doors, glass doors (with additional accessories), and even double-leaf doors or doors that need to be opened in both directions. For example, on glass doors, electric bolt locks can be installed in combination with glass clamps, while magnetic locks are usually only suitable for single-leaf doors that are closed in one direction.
• Installation Position Flexibility: The bolt can be installed on the door frame or the door leaf, and the installation position can be adjusted according to the door structure. Magnetic locks, however, require the door leaf and the door frame to be completely aligned to ensure the magnetic attraction surface is tight, which has higher requirements for the installation accuracy of the door.

3. Better Adaptability to Power-off Scenarios

• Optional Normally Closed/Normally Open Modes: Electric bolt locks can be designed as normally closed (locked when powered off, suitable for fire exits that need to be kept closed) or normally open (unlocked when powered off, suitable for emergency evacuation channels). This flexibility allows them to meet different safety regulations and application needs.
• Magnetic Lock Limitation: Most magnetic locks are normally open (unlocked when powered off), which is suitable for emergency evacuation but may not be suitable for scenarios where the door needs to remain locked during a power outage (such as important security areas).

4. More Diverse Functional Expansion

• Support for Mechanical Key Backup: Many electric bolt locks are equipped with mechanical keyholes, allowing manual unlocking with a key in emergency situations (such as power outages or system failures), which improves the reliability of access control. Magnetic locks generally do not have mechanical key backup functions and rely entirely on power supply and electronic control.
• Compatibility with More Access Control Systems: Electric bolt locks can be integrated with various  S4A access control systems (such as RFID card readers with Wiegand output, fingerprint recognition, password keypads, etc.), and some models support remote control or intelligent timing functions, making them more suitable for complex management needs.

5. Lower Power Consumption and Less Heat Generation

• Electric bolt locks only consume power when the bolt is retracted or extended (i.e., when the door is opened or closed), and do not need to maintain continuous power supply during the locking state, so the overall power consumption is lower and there is no problem of heat generation caused by long-term power supply.
• Magnetic locks need to maintain a strong magnetic force when locked, so they must be continuously powered, which not only consumes more power but also may generate heat after long-term use, affecting the service life of the equipment.

6. More Suitable for Scenarios Requiring Silent Operation

• Quiet Operation: The operation of electric bolt locks (such as the sound of the bolt extending/retracting) is relatively low, making them suitable for scenarios that require quietness (such as hospitals, schools, or office buildings).
• Magnetic Lock Noise: When magnetic locks are powered on/off, there may be a noticeable "click" sound due to the adsorption or separation of the magnetic plate, which may be disturbing in quiet environments.

Summary of Application Scenarios

• Electric bolt locks are more suitable for scenarios with high security requirements, diverse door types, need for power-off protection, or require mechanical key backup, such as banks, prisons, residential communities, and office buildings.
• Magnetic locks are more suitable for simple access control systems, single-leaf doors, or scenarios that prioritize emergency evacuation (such as fire exits), but their security is relatively lower.