Electric strike, maglock or motorised lock: which electric lock to choose
Quick answer
An electric strike is the simple option for latch doors; a maglock suits glass doors or places where nothing else fits, but needs power to stay locked; a motorised lock is the most secure and the right choice when the door must be deadlocked. The choice mostly depends on what must happen when the power fails.
The three families
| Electric strike | Maglock | Motorised lock | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it holds | Releases the latch in the frame | Magnet holds the leaf | Throws and retracts the bolt |
| Security level | Medium (latch only) | Medium (depends on holding force) | High (deadbolt thrown) |
| Without power | Open or locked, by model | Always open | By model; mechanical egress |
| Installation | Simple, in the frame | Simple, surface-mounted | More complex, in the leaf |
| Cost | Low | Low to medium | High |
Fail-safe and fail-secure: the key question
- Fail-safe (unlocks without power): if power fails, the door is free. Good for evacuation, but a power cut leaves the entrance open.
- Fail-secure (stays locked without power): the door stays locked from the outside. Good for security; egress from the inside must be guaranteed mechanically (handle or bar).
A maglock is always fail-safe: that is why it needs a battery if you do not want a power cut to open the building, and also why it is used where the priority is for the door to release.
Which suits each door
- Internal office door with a latch: electric strike. Quick and inexpensive.
- Frameless glass door: maglock or a lock made for glass.
- Street door that must be deadlocked at night: motorised lock, which relocks after each passage.
- Fire door: only devices compatible with its certification; the leaf cannot be freely machined.
- Emergency exit: the lock must always allow people out. See access control and evacuation.
Common mistakes
- A maglock with no emergency release button or fire alarm link on an escape door.
- An electric strike on a sagging door: if the leaf binds on the latch, it will not release. Fix the door first.
- An undersized power supply: locks draw a surge when activated; a marginal supply causes intermittent faults.
- No door contact: the system cannot tell whether the door was left open.
What to ask the installer
- What happens to this door if the power goes?
- How do people get out, with and without power?
- Is it compatible with the door's certification (if it is a fire door)?
- How many operating cycles is the proposed model rated for?
In our access control service we decide this door by door during the survey.
Frequently asked questions
Is a maglock secure enough for a street door?
As the only lock, usually not ideal: it depends on power and holding force. It is normally combined with a mechanical lock for night-time, or a motorised lock is chosen instead.
Can I keep my key as well as access control?
Yes. Most electric locks work alongside the cylinder, which remains as an emergency override. Keep track of who holds those keys.
This guide is for information only and is not a substitute for legal advice or for the technical design of each installation. Regulations change: always check the current text at the official source.