Electronic lock

Some locks use power to work.

They do not need a metal key. You can use a code to open them.

Some locks use magnets to stay shut. A large magnet holds the door tight.

These locks can also use your fingerprint. They can even use your voice to know you. This helps keep things safe. It is very cool! Can you find a lock like this?

An electronic lock uses electric current to work.

Instead of just a metal key, these locks use power. They can use magnets, motors, or a part called a solenoid. A solenoid is a device that moves when power flows through it.

One kind is a magnetic lock. A large magnet sits on the door frame. A metal part sits on the door. When the magnet has power, it holds the door shut.

If the power goes out, these locks open. This can be a problem for security.

Other locks use different ways to check who you are. This is called authentication.

You might type a secret code on a keypad. You might swipe a smart card. Some locks use biometrics. This means they check your body to know you. They can scan your fingerprint or even your eyes.

Some locks are "passive." This means they do not need their own power supply. They get power from the key when you use them.

An electronic lock is a device that uses electric current to work.

These locks help keep places safe by controlling who can enter. Some locks stand alone with their own controls. Other locks connect to a larger access control system. This system lets people manage keys without changing the whole lock. It can also track when people move through doors. You can even monitor and control these locks from far away.

There are many ways these locks actually function. They might use motors, solenoids, or magnets to move the lock.

A magnetic lock, or "mag lock," uses a large magnet on the door frame. A metal part called an armature sits on the door. When power flows, the magnet holds the armature tight. Some locks are "fail unlocked," meaning they open if power is lost. Others are "fail locked," which keeps them shut during a power outage. This is important for keeping things secure.

People have been developing these tools for a long time. In 1976, Tor Sørnes invented the first mechanical recodable card lock. He had worked for a company called VingCard since the 1950s. The first order for these card locks went to the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. This happened in 1979 in Atlanta, USA. This invention helped electronic locks grow in the hotel industry.

Different locks work in different places. In South Korea, many homes use electronic locks made by Gateman. These are replacing older lock systems in many apartments. Some locks are called "passive" because they do not need a power supply. They use a tiny computer chip inside. When you use a special key, the key provides the power. The key also checks an ID number to see if it is allowed to open.

Electronic locks use many ways to check your identity. This is called authentication. You might type a secret code on a keypad.

You could also swipe a smart card or a security token. Some advanced locks use biometrics to recognize you. This means they scan your fingerprint, your voice, or even your eyes. Some even use radio waves to read a tag from a distance. These tools make entering a building very different from using a metal key.

An electronic lock is a security device that operates using electric current.

These devices can function as stand-alone units with built-in controls. They can also connect to larger access control systems. Such systems offer several advantages for managing security. Users can add or remove digital keys without the need for re-keying a physical cylinder. Administrators can implement fine access control based on specific times and locations. Furthermore, these systems allow for transaction logging to record all activity.

Many systems even allow for remote monitoring and control of the locking state.

To actuate the lock, these devices use magnets, solenoids, or motors. The mechanism works by either supplying or removing electrical power to move a component. There are two primary ways to categorize these locks: by their preventing mechanism or their operation mechanism. One common type is the magnetic lock, often called a "mag lock." This device uses a large electromagnet mounted on the door frame. A metal piece called an armature is mounted on the door itself. When the magnet receives power and the door closes, the armature is held fast.

However, mag locks have specific limitations regarding safety and security.

Safety regulations, such as NFPA 101 and the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), dictate how locks must behave during emergencies. These rules require "free egress," meaning a person must be able to exit with one simple movement. This requirement ensures no special knowledge or extra steps, like pushing buttons, are needed to leave. Mag locks can be problematic because they require power to stay locked. If power is removed, they fail in an unlocked state. This can create security risks during power outages. Additionally, there is often a lag time as the magnetic field collapses. This delay might cause a person to collide with the door before it fully opens.

Other types of electronic locks include electric strikes and electronic deadbolts. An electric strike, or electric latch release, replaces a standard strike on a door frame. These can be designed for easy one-for-one replacement. Some electric strikes are "fail unlocked," while more secure versions are "fail locked." Electronic deadbolts and cylindrical locks are often used as drop-in replacements for mechanical locks. These may require drilling a hole for power wires or using a power transfer hinge. In some regions, like Europe, motor-operated locks are common. These often feature a "day mode" for the latch and a "night mode" for the deadbolt.

History shows how these technologies evolved through specific inventions. In 1976, Tor Sørnes invented the first mechanical recodable card lock. Sørnes had worked for the company VingCard since the 1950s. The first order for this technology was shipped in 1979. It went to the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, USA. This specific product triggered the evolution of electronic locks within the hospitality industry. Today, electronic locks are so common in some places that they are replacing older systems. In South Korea, for example, many homes use electronic locks from companies like Gateman.

Some specialized locks are known as "passive" electronic locks. These are called passive because they do not require a permanent power supply. Instead, they integrate a miniature electronic single-chip microcomputer. When a user inserts an electronic key, the key itself provides the power. The key and the lock exchange ID numbers to verify identity. If the verification passes, the key powers a coil inside the lock. This coil generates a magnetic field to drive the internal magnet and unlock the device.

These are often used in high-security fields like data centers or public utilities.

Modern locks use various authentication methods to verify users. One common method is using a keypad to enter a numerical PIN or password. Other locks use security tokens, such as smart cards or smartphones. Some systems use Bluetooth, infrared, or Near Field Communication (NFC) for data transfer. Biometrics is a growing field for identification. This includes scanning fingerprints, retinas, irises, or voice prints.

Finally, Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses radio waves to read tags. These tags can sometimes be read from several meters away, even without a direct line of sight.