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Most modern doors are equipped with mechanical locks - in country houses, on staircases, in offices and even in cars. A mechanical lock is reliable in operation, repairable, and opening it is relatively difficult.
On the other hand, there are hundreds of models of this device on the market, which differ in characteristics and price. How to find the perfect lock in such a variety?
Let's start with the fact that there are several types of mechanical locks. The most common are lever and cylinder. Less common are cruciform, disk, crossbar. Let's look at the most popular ones.
Design of lever mechanisms
Lever locks are characterized by high resistance to burglary. The secret part of such structures is expressed by special plates, which are collected in a package. When opening, the key enters these cutouts, moving the bolts.
To ensure maximum burglary resistance, the device must have at least 5-6 levers. Safety and reliability is achieved due to the fact that the mechanism is protected by a durable case, access to which is accessible through the keyhole. The level of lifting of the plates is determined by the protrusion on the key.
The degree of secrecy and burglary resistance of a lever lock depends on the number and position of levers, as well as the number of combinations for opening. The main advantages of such devices are:
- Many options to provide protection against hacking. This could be a pick recognition system or false grooves on the plates.
- Possibility of installing a more complex mechanism with reprogramming, capable of reading information about the inserted key.
- High level of burglary protection with a large number of working levers.
Burglar-resistant doors are equipped with lever locks with at least 6 plates. In this case, trying to select a suitable combination will require more than 1 million attempts. Insufficient numbers of levers will allow an attacker to easily break into the locking mechanism.
Principle of operation
Once in the hole, the key rests on the levers and, turning, begins to move them upward. If the grooves of the key coincide with the recesses of the levers, they freely bypass the shank post and continue moving in the horizontal plane, setting the crossbars in motion. Crossbars are those small but reliable latches that lock the door.
After turning the key once, the springs return the levers to their original position, which is accompanied by a quiet knocking sound of the metal plates. If the door is locked 2 or more turns, when you turn the key again, all movements are repeated. The more turns the key makes, the more the attacker will have to tinker, choosing the correct position of the pins each time.
How does the cylinder mechanism work?
Cylinder locks have a slightly different design. They are equipped with pins with disks and frame-plates that are turned with a key, which minimizes the likelihood of break-in. A door with such a mechanism can only be broken open by influencing the cylinder. Access to the cylinder can be protected by covers and other auxiliary elements.
The advantage of such devices is the ability to select a small key and install an additional turntable. The advantages of cylinder locks also include:
- Easy core replacement.
- Reliable and simple design that provides the required level of burglary resistance.
- The presence of high-strength pins and plates that protect against forceful breaking.
Nuances of choice
In addition to the installation method, there is also such an important point as the level or class of secrecy, so before choosing a lock for the front door, it is advisable to find out what class the model you like belongs to. Information is taken from accompanying documents.
The classification is based on the conventional time of opening a particular constipation by the average swindler. The minimum here is 2 minutes, maximum 30 minutes.
- Class. A maximum of 3 - 4 minutes is given for opening. This includes deadbolt and padlocks; they are installed on the doors of utility rooms. By law, this product is not required to be certified.
- Class. These constipations should last up to 10 minutes. For 2nd class a certificate of conformity is issued.
- Class. Burglary resistance here reaches 20 minutes. therefore, this group is considered the most popular, it combines well with a relatively affordable price, decent appearance and high reliability.
- Class. It is generally accepted that safe-type locks can be opened in 20–30 minutes. and then only with the appropriate tools and qualifications of the burglar. The only disadvantage of this group of constipations is the high cost.
When choosing a door lock, there are a number of general recommendations:
- for an apartment or house it is advisable to take models of classes 3 and 4;
- reliability is largely determined by the fittings, so do not skimp on anti-vandal linings and devices;
- documents for the goods must be in Russian;
- the certificate of conformity must have a wet seal;
- the accompanying documents must contain the manufacturer’s details (telephone, website, physical address, etc.) do not be lazy, check their accuracy;
- Products of classes 3 and 4 are guaranteed for at least 1 year;
- if the lock is inexpensive and lightweight, it means it is made of alloys, and this is already a minus;
- check the operation of the mechanism with your own hands and do not forget to check the equipment.
An armor plate is considered a good way to protect an inexpensive lock from drilling and knocking out (bumping)
Differences between cylinder and lever locks
Both types of locks provide high security, but with some effort and diligence, attackers can break into each of them. It is difficult to say which mechanism is more reliable. To do this, you need to understand their distinctive features.
The working surface of locks with a cylinder is expressed by a cylindrical part having a key hole. Level-type devices operate using plates, but the first type only works when the key is turned. To open the French mechanism, it is enough to act on the grooves, and picking up a master key is quite easy. With a large number of levers, it becomes more difficult to press on them.
The advantage of cylinder locks is that its working part can be easily replaced with a new one, which provides convenience in case of loss of the key. Currently, many manufacturers produce models equipped with both types of mechanisms, which increases the level of safety.
By choosing the most expensive and reliable locking device, you will not be able to completely secure the premises from unauthorized entry. Simple locks can be easily picked, but overly complex ones can provoke an intruder to enter the apartment in another way.
When comparing lever and cylinder mechanisms, it should be clarified that the first is more preferable. This is due to its increased resistance to physical hacking, but it is easier to influence with a master key. Taking into account all the listed features, we recommend purchasing a door with two locks, which will guarantee maximum security of your property.
Top 10 best door lock companies
Each master has his own opinion on which door locks are the most reliable, but this will be the personal opinion of a professional; we will try to unbiasedly analyze the top rating of door locks, compiled on the basis of online reviews and sales results.
Each of the brands presented below is distinguished by high quality lock mechanisms and can claim first place in the ranking, so we will deliberately not display numbers, but will only talk about the protective functions and features of secret mechanisms.
Mul-t-lock
The Israeli trademark Mul-t-lock appeared on the market in 1973. In the CIS, locks from this company are valued for their high reliability and relatively reasonable cost. The Israelis produce a full line of products, from mounted ones to electronic models. But they work best with cylinder and combination locks.
Mul-t-lock was one of the first companies to use graphite lubricant in its mechanisms, as a result of which Israeli locks perform equally well in both northern and desert conditions.
The Mul-t-lock brand was one of the first to use graphite lubricant in locks
Kale Kilit
The attitude towards locks from the Turkish brand Kale Kilit is ambiguous. The indisputable advantages are the affordable price and beautiful appearance, but in the budget line the Turks often use alloys; such models break down within 5 - 7 years. Although there are pleasant exceptions, the inexpensive overhead model Kale 157 AZMT has only good reviews.
Turkish locks have one common disadvantage: the keys come with a laser cut and not every domestic workshop makes such duplicates.
In the mid-price category, Turkish locks from Kale Kilit have proven themselves to be reliable
Cisa
Officially, the Cheese brand is considered Italian, but over 90 years of active work it has long turned into a global transnational corporation. At the moment, it produces about 30 thousand types of locking mechanisms, and some models are completely unique and cannot be found anywhere else.
Factories around the world, including in Russia, allow us to keep prices at an acceptable level for consumers. Cisa was one of the first to produce electronic models with smart cards. In the assortment of this manufacturer, everyone will find a suitable type of lock for themselves.
Locks from Cisa can be called the most reliable for metal doors
Mottura
The Italian Mottura is considered the main competitor of the above-mentioned company Cisa. It cannot be said that any of these brands is better or worse, the quality is high everywhere, but Mottura has focused on increasing the secrecy of mechanisms and keys to them; according to company engineers, such keys cannot be copied.
Locks from Mottura have a high level of security
Abloy
Initially, the Abloy company belonged to the Swedish group engaged in the production of locking mechanisms, but in 1994 the Finnish business bought the company, which did not in any way affect the high quality of the products. Now the Abloy brand is focusing on the development of electronic and electromechanical systems.
Finnish brand Abloy is one of the top ten European manufacturers
Titan
The company from Slovenia Titan entered the domestic market relatively recently; their range is not very large, but the quality is good and the prices are reasonable. This company was one of the first to introduce invisible mortise locks to the Russian market that operate from a key fob. Similar models were already on sale, but Titan offered good locks at an affordable price, which quickly made the company a sales leader.
Invisible locks from Titan are deservedly popular
Elbor
A powerful domestic concern, the official year of formation is considered to be 1976, but initially the company worked exclusively for the military-industrial complex and only in the nineties they began to produce locks as part of the conversion.
Judging by the reviews, the strong point of Elbor products is considered to be the high strength of the mechanism and good quality of the metal. But along with this, many complain about the level of secrecy, supposedly the doors can be opened not only with a key, but also with a good master key, although everyone agrees that the price of the products is pleasantly pleasing.
One of the leaders in the production of domestic locks is considered
Border
Another representative of the domestic industry. The emphasis is on high burglary resistance and good anti-vandal characteristics. The company's specialists claim that their door locks are the most reliable from a burglary point of view.
Positive and negative reviews on Border are divided roughly in half. Moreover, there are no average opinions, there are either enthusiastic or negative. In particular, no one complains about broken or opened locks, but people are dissatisfied with the quality of the keys and claim that they break.
Anti-vandal fittings from Border are in deserved demand on the domestic market
Apecs
The attitude towards locks from Apecs is ambiguous. They have a beautiful appearance, but the handles on the mortise models are made of alloy. If the cylinder lock is installed outdoors, then without regular, high-quality lubrication the cylinder sometimes jams. But the Apecs company produces a good line of padlocks, no one has any complaints about them, only rave reviews.
Apecs makes the best padlocks
Abus
A bright representative of the legendary German quality. The Abus company was founded in 1924, its locks are deservedly appreciated all over the world. They started out as manufacturers of locks for interior doors, and now they produce almost all types of locks. The product has a burglary resistance class of at least 3. No matter how hard we tried, we were unable to find a single negative or even average review; everywhere only good things are written about the Abus brand.
The German company Abus produces some of the most reliable locks in the world.
