A Guide to Magnetic Door Lock Systems

Reviewed by Peter Kendall, Technical Support Engineer (October 2024)

Magnetic door lock systems secure doors using magnets rather than physical mechanisms like locks or latches. They are strong, versatile, and aesthetically simple, and they give you great control over your site’s security and safety. Learn here about how maglock systems work, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to approach maglock installation.

How do magnetic door locks work? Magnetic door lock systems employ the forces given off by electromagnetic fields. Ferrous metal plates that are thick enough for the job (magnets) wrapped with wires supplying enough electricity and positioned at the right orientation can produce very strong holding forces for adjacent metal plates, all comfortably sized for regular doors.

Maglock systems typically feature two portions: an electromagnet and an armature, which are installed in the door frame and the door, respectively.

The electromagnet features multiple ferrous metal plates wrapped in copper wire and embedded in a non-ferrous solid material. The plates’ size and quantity vary based on the required holding force. When an electric current is supplied to the wires, the plates produce a magnetic field — and more importantly, its resultant attracting force for magnetic materials. The electromagnet is machined smooth to ensure the armature contacts it cleanly for a strong hold.

The armature is a ferrous metal strike plate embedded in the door. It must be positioned just right to align in all planes with the electromagnet. Ensure trained professionals hang the door and handle the magnetic door lock installation.

How to open magnetic door locks: This will depend on how you configure your security system. Any door entry system security device that sends an electric signal to deactivate the magnetic field will do. You can use:

• Push-buttons
• Key cards
• Fobs
• Keypads and PINs
• Biometrics (fingerprint or facial recognition)
• Panic bars that sense human skin contact (for exiting only)

Magnetic door lock systems have the following variations and options available:

• Single vs. Double Door: RS carries magnetic locks for either a single door or a set of double doors. Double door magnetic locks sit at the top-centre of the door frame and have dual magnets activating and deactivating in tandem.
• Monitored: Since magnetic locks tie into electrical systems, they can also send opened/closed notifications to security systems.
• Shear: Magnetic door locks for sliding doors apply the holding force in a shear orientation (a force holding sliding faces together). The strongest magnetic locks, however, are for swinging doors and apply a normal force (that is, in the same direction you would try to pull it open).

Now, what happens to magnetic door locks when the power goes out? That depends on whether the maglock system is designed to fail-safe or fail-secure. This depends, simply, on whether safety or security is your top priority.

• Fail-safe: These doors unlock when power cuts out, ensuring personnel can always escape to safety during an emergency and emergency crews can get in. As with all emergency exit doors, they should be push-to-exit.
• Fail-secure: These doors stay locked when they lose power, ensuring secure areas like server rooms stay sealed. These doors should still be openable from inside, though.

Magnetic door lock systems can improve the security and safety of various types of buildings and rooms. Chiefly, they integrate well with any building security system that needs to ensure only authorised personnel pass through certain doors. This comes up in places like:

• Industrial and office workplaces
• Apartment buildings
• Schools
• Hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals
• Computer server rooms
• Warehouses
• Storage units
• Laboratories and cleanrooms
• Prisons

Are magnetic locks any good? Absolutely! Magnetic door lock systems offer:

• Enhanced security, since they are much harder to break open. This difficulty can even deter criminals from attempting to break in.
• Very strong holding forces. Try as you might, you aren’t going to force the strongest magnetic door locks open without some serious help from vehicles!
• Few moving parts (due to the elimination of latches and physical locks) and thus low maintenance.
• Instantaneous locking and unlocking, done simply by activating or deactivating power.
• Easy access using key cards or other electronic access authentication.
• Remote control, which greatly increases security system configurability, letting maglock systems join the Industrial Internet of Things. This can also extend to delayed egress: delaying opening by a few seconds or until authorisation is received, which helps prevent unauthorised exit.
• Minimal visible external hardware, giving these doors a slick, subtle aesthetic.

What are the disadvantages of magnetic door locks? There are indeed some to keep in mind:

• Constant electric power needs: Fail-safe maglock systems require nonstop electrical power, and this goes up depending on the holding force. You’ll also need backup power to maintain security during power failures (unless the maglock system is fail-secure).
• Corrosion potential: Since these doors rely on pieces of metal, they’ll need coatings protecting them from moisture and salt. Also, regular inspection is essential.
• Misalignment potential: Maglock installation requires careful alignment to ensure the plates line up just right in all planes when the door closes. If the door or frame warps over time, the maglock can cease to function.
• Electromagnetic interference (EMI): This effect, due to nearby mobile phones or computers, can make maglock systems open and close at the wrong times. Maglock installations should employ shielded wiring and space the locks away from electronic devices if possible.

Now that you know what magnetic door lock systems can do for your property, you’ll need to consider a few options.

For starters, how strong are magnetic door locks? RS maglocks create a wide range of holding forces: from 35 N (7.9 lb.) to 7,900 N (1,776 lb.). More holding force means more constantly required electrical power and stronger mounting hardware, though, so keep this in mind when considering the holding force you need.

Also consider these options for maglock systems:

• Dimensions: Ensure your maglock will fit on your door and door frame.
• Single vs. Double Doors: Does your entrance have one door or two?
• Sliding vs. Swinging: Sliding doors get in people’s way less, but their maglocks exert less force than for swinging doors.
• Fail-safe vs. Fail-secure: Do you need the door to lock or unlock when power fails?
• Current and Voltage: Will you supply AC or DC, and at what voltage?

To ensure you achieve the building safety and security you’re after, here’s how to install a magnetic door lock:

1. Disconnect power: As with any electrical work, disconnect the power supply the maglock system will use.
2. Fit up the maglock: Ensure you line up the maglock components’ locations just right for them to interface and lock.
3. Drill the holes: Drill in the door frame for the electromagnet and in the door for the armature. Remember that these fastener connections will need to support the same door-closing force the maglock will create.
4. Install the maglock: Securely install the maglock components in the drilled holes. Tighten the mounting screws to the required torque if it is known.
5. Connect wires: Feed and connect the electromagnet’s electrical connections to the power supply and the activation device you’ll use, such as a key card reader.
6. Test voltage: Activate the power supply and use a voltage meter to test that the supplied voltage meets the maglock system’s needs.
7. Test the door: Test that the door closes, locks, unlocks, and opens when desired.
8. Make adjustments: If necessary, adjust the alignment of the pieces on the door and door frame.
9. Secure wires: Once the system works properly, route and secure its wiring so that it won’t be disturbed.

Once you’ve completed your magnetic door lock installation, consider further enhancing your worksite building security with RS’ security alarms and sensors.