Locknetics 280 Mag Lock

The first thing to understand about Shear Locks is they are expensive.

Conventional mag locks basically use a metal plate as an armature. Shear locks have a more complex armature designed to overcome gaps at the top of the door.

The standard gap for commercial doors is supposed to be 1/8'' between the top of the door and the frame. This is often not the case. Shear locks can overcome gaps as large as 1/4'' and use an extra-strong magnet to do the job.

The combination of stronger magnet and special armature drive up the price of Shear Locks.

If you can live with the price, Shear Locks offer several advantages. Fully concealed mounting provides for a tamper-proof installation. If security is a main priority in your application Shear Locks are worth a look.

These products are also desirable for their clean look. When the door is closed they are invisible. When the door is open, you have to look closely to notice the unit is installed in the header.

One problem traditionally plaguing mag locks occurs when doors and frame settle. This typically requires a readjustment of the installation over time.

Shear locks are more forgiving than traditional mag locks. Because of the special armature design, flexibility is built into the alignment of magnet and armature.

The two parts connect very well together making a very strong bond. But they also bond correctly even after some settling takes place.

Most people overlook Shear Locks as a candidate when designing a system, but really offer quite a few advantages over tradtional locks. The advantages come at a price so it's important to weight the options when choosing the best mag lock design.