Something is satisfying about clicking a lock into place. It’s even more satisfying when the lock is secure and can’t be opened without the key. Magnetic locks provide that same satisfaction, with the bonus of being incredibly secure. These locks use magnets to keep the door closed, meaning they can’t be opened without the key. In this article, we’ll discuss how to open magnetic lock!
Magnetic locks are usually used for industrial purposes, but they can also be found in many modern homes. These locks are often paired with high-security keypads that require a code or fingerprint to open the door. However, unlike traditional locks, magnetically locked doors aren’t just difficult to open; they’re impossible to open!
What Is the Magnetic Lock?
The magnetic lock is a door lock option that uses a magnet placed behind the strike plate of a door to keep it closed. They are commonly placed in high-traffic areas, such as schools and offices, where you don’t want the doors opening accidentally.
There isn’t an exposed mechanism on this type of deadbolt; many consider it safer than other types of locks. In addition, the fact that no visible latch is present makes it more difficult to attack with tools.
Where Is Magnetic Lock Used?
Magnetic locks are used for many different purposes. They can be applied to pallet racks, pallets, crates, and industrial machinery enclosures such as breaker boxes and electrical equipment cabinets. Magnetic locks with vinyl covers attached over the stainless steel cover are famous for securing ATMs and other bank teller machines.
A magnetic lock consists of a solenoid coil powered by direct current (DC) power or alternating current (AC) power from the building’s electrical system. An electric current flows through the coil creates a magnetic field that operates one or more locking mechanisms that hold doors closed. The exact mechanism is often used to release these doors with an electric current flowing in the opposite direction through the coil.
There are different magnetic locks with corresponding installation requirements and degrees of dry fire resistance. For example, magnetic locks can be mounted into a door or frame, typically with screws or rivets; others can be surface-mounted with double-sided adhesive tape or fasteners such as toggle bolts.
You’ll need to use heavy-duty options such as steel locking covers with flush mount latch strikes (these fit standard locksmithing tools). Depending on your location and application, how much force is appropriate for each type varies based on your location and application—you may want to consult an integrator familiar with these products.
A Detailed Guide on How to Open Magnetic Lock
Method 1: Using HID Keycard Reader
Step 1: Gain Access to Inside of the Lock
To begin, you must have access to the inside of the lock. To do this, push a flat-head screwdriver into two adjacent slits at the bottom of the lock near where it is attached from behind from your side of the door (make sure that you are not close enough to be grabbed in case someone is in front). Next, grip tightly with both hands and pull out quickly in opposite directions. Even if it didn’t look like there were any openings for a screwdriver, keep pulling; very often, one slit will widen enough for you to fit in.
Step 2: Manipulate Magnetic Lock Using HID Keycard Reader
Once you gain access inside, release the magnetic part containing the lock’s magnet by pulling it out. Make sure you pull all the way because there is a wire connecting this part to the inside of the lock, which you’ll need in the next step. Once released, set it aside away from your cute little HID keycard reader. You wanted to separate these two parts because they are connected via wire and will be dangerous if tripped upon when operating your device without looking at what you’re doing (i.e., blind).
Step 3: Using HID Keycard Reader
Now insert your handy little tool between the lock and door to trip the magnetic lock’s sensors (please excuse my lack of technical vocabulary; I’m not an engineer). Keep pushing until it trips, at which point you can remove the device and let the door open. When it opens, pull it away from the wall if there is still a magnet attached to it that could spring back into its original position.
Step 4: Manipulate Magnetic Lock Using HID Keycard Reader
Put everything back together by inserting your reader to where you pulled out the magnet part, attaching them via wire, and closing up your little lock with metal prongs. Then push the two pieces back onto their original place on both sides of the doorframe (make sure they are correctly connected).
Now use your keycard again to unlock the door! To close, follow steps backward or cover in some way that’s not too obvious in case someone is watching that could realize what you’re doing.
Method 2: Using Biometric Sensors
Step 1: Gain Access to Inside of the Lock
To open a lock using this method, you must have access to its inside. This can be done by loosening a single screw located at the bottom of the lock surrounding where it is attached from behind (from your side of the door). As with all locks, make sure that there’s no one watching, and proceed once you’re in. If it looks like someone is coming up or downstairs or through an adjacent hall, abort the mission and try another time again.
Step 2: Using Biometric Sensors
Once inside, you can proceed to utilize biometric sensors by triggering them with your fingerprint. Then, run the edge of your thumb across all five black sensors located in a horizontal line near the top of where you pulled off that little metal piece.
This should easily trip it without too much effort on your part (please excuse my lack of technical vocabulary; I’m not an engineer). If unsuccessful, try using other parts of your hands or fingers to succeed in tripping the sensor(s) quickly and efficiently.
When successfully tripped, it will open up the lock via magnetic force. Keep in mind that there are wires connecting these two parts once again, so you’ll need to separate them first before freeing the door. Make sure that the lock is completely opened up by testing it first before proceeding with your other hand or foot against the opening side of the door (you don’t want to get trapped inside).
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Once you’ve successfully tripped all five sensors, detach them from each other by pulling where they are connected via wire. This part only has one wire connecting these two parts, making it much easier than its magnetic counterpart described above.
Once pulled apart, set this half aside away from your cute little biometric reader (please keep in mind that I am still not an engineer; this is what my research has told me). You wanted to separate these two parts because they are connected via wire and will be dangerous if tripped upon when operating your device without looking at what you’re doing (i.e., blind).
Method 3: FailSafe Unlocking
This method will not only come in handy if you’ve forgotten your keycard or have lost your biometric data, but it works with all locks of this type that are fail-safes (unfortunately, this is also my least favorite method due to its high risks).
These locks are designed to open when no power has been applied within 36 hours; therefore, if the power goes out overnight and you thought ahead enough to utilize this advantage for yourself, then congratulations. You’ll usually be able to enter like any other lock (i.e., by using your keycard or both).
Step 1: Open Magnetic Locks
To begin with, turn off the power for these little magnetic beauties to be good to go. Then, check the breaker box or flip the switches off to be certain they are entirely dead before moving on.
Step 2: Identify How It’s Connected
This method is trickier than you think because it works with the same concept as an electrical outlet but without all of those little plastic safety pieces covering each connection point. Instead, this type has one long metal strip running horizontally along the center of where these two parts connect.
The problem is that many breakers are built into boxes instead of individual ones for aesthetic reasons (i.e., hiding them). If your breaker box looks like this, there will not be any metal plates inside; therefore, you’ll have to open it up and locate it yourself to check that this electrical connection is entirely dead.
Step 3: Detach It
To detach it, use something sturdy (i.e., pliers) within this narrow space and bend outwards until the metal strip comes apart somewhere in between those two parts. How much you bend out will determine how strong a power supply you’d like to use with your lock; the more metal you bend outwards, the stronger it will be (i.e., bending it completely apart won’t work). Be careful, though, because there are wires connected within this strip, and if they’re tripped upon, that could potentially be dangerous. These methods will help in how to open magnetic lock.
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Conclusion:
We hope you have learned how to open magnetic lock. It’s not as difficult as it may seem to open a magnetic lock. With just a few simple tools and techniques, you should be able to get the job done in no time at all. Be sure to practice these methods before you need them for real – that way, if the time ever does come when you find yourself locked out of your house or office, you’ll be ready to take action. Thanks for reading!
