How to choose and install a lock on a gate
The protection of a private house from unwanted intrusion is ensured by a reliable fence and a high-quality gate lock. This device comes in various designs and degrees of reliability.
Types of locks for wickets
Locks differ in the following types:
- hinged;
- waybills;
- internal (mortise);
- electromechanical;
- electromagnetic;
- radio waves.
Padlocks were the very first to come into use; today, overhead and mortise devices are most in demand.
Padlocks
Overhead
An overhead lock for a wicket door made of corrugated board is convenient for installation, the locking structure has a sufficient level of reliability. There is a keyhole on both sides of the gate or only outside, and inside there is a handle. From a practical point of view, the first option is more protective than the second.
By design, overhead locks can be leveled (with an internal secret) and cylinder (another name: English).
The lever lock on the gate has a sufficiently strong and reliable working mechanism in the form of plates with various cuts. The presence of a key on both sides can be considered rather an advantage than a disadvantage, as it increases the protection of the territory. Excellent for outdoor use.
Cylinder locks are neat in size and weight, rational in design: it is enough to change the core of the device (larva), leaving the lock the same. These locking devices do not tolerate the costs of the weather (frost, moisture, dust, litter), therefore, they require separate care: a special niche for debris and regular treatment with special grease during the cold period.
Overhead locks are in high demand. At an affordable price, you can purchase the necessary high quality device.
Code
A combination gate lock, which cannot be broken or opened with a master key, is very popular nowadays. The device opens with the correct cipher set, which can be changed as many times as you like. There is no need for keys and duplicates.
Rack
They consist of a bolt that moves along the hinges when opening and closing the lock. Strong and durable, but due to the simplicity of the design, the key can be easily counterfeited. In addition, the keys to the rack and pinion lock are very bulky and inconvenient to carry with you.
Mortise locks
Installed inside the end of the wicket, it has small dimensions, a huge selection of designs and models. The lock itself is convenient and reliable in operation, but it will not provide absolute protection against burglary.
Electromechanical
There are overhead and mortise options. They are powered by electricity or autonomous power supply. An excellent system both in operation and in terms of protection against burglary. When closed, the electromechanical lock on the wicket pushes powerful rods, which reliably block the entrance to the territory from uninvited entry.
The remote control of this modification allows visitors to enter using a button.The lock can be opened with an electromagnetic key (such as an intercom), by dialing a code or mechanically in case of a long power outage.
The solid price is not a disadvantage, as it fully corresponds to the functionality of the device.
Electromagnetic
Unlike the previous type, the working part of the electromagnetic street lock for wickets is magnets. Operated in the presence of electricity or an autonomous power source.
To open the device, an attacker will need to overcome the gravity force of more than half a ton. There are especially powerful designs in which the magnetic thrust is twice as large. The device opens with a special contact key, which is triggered by the magnetic field of the working mechanism.
A set of electromagnetic wicket door lock contains:
- lock with fasteners and strips;
- power supply to ensure uninterrupted power supply;
- button for remote opening of the gate from the inside;
- keys (card, key fobs);
- controller for controlling the lock;
- invoice information reader (recognizes the key or card from the set).
So that the protective unit does not wear out, and its parts do not move from sharp blows, during installation it is required to additionally install a closer.
Radio waves
They work using radio waves by analogy with car alarms, have a control panel at a distance of up to 100 meters. The design options are different: with and without a key (only with a remote control). The scheme of the electronic lock on the gate has a high degree of security against breaking.
How to choose the required model
Regardless of the design, a successful locking device must have:
- tightness to maintain the operability of the mechanism (tightly closed body without wide slots and slots);
- resistance to subzero temperatures;
- a sufficient degree of protection;
- the ability to close the gate with a key on both sides.
If you need reliable and at the same time inexpensive locks, then you can pick up hinged and overhead options. Not everyone can afford electric locks of mechanical or magnetic design, but, having spent once, the owner of the house will not worry about protecting his home.
Installing the lock
It is easy to install the lock on the gate with your own hands. For example, to install a patch lock you will need:
- welding machine;
- grinder (a universal tool for cutting and grinding in this case, metal);
- drill.
In addition to tools, you should have at hand: a metal crossbar (if it is not welded in the manufacture of the wicket frame), a 3 mm steel plate (for a striker), a triangle, a marker.
The installation of the locking device depends on the design and material of the gate. How to install a lock on a corrugated gate? For the overhead locking mechanism, you first need to weld the transverse bar (if it was not originally) at a height of 1 m from the ground. It will serve as a place to attach the lock.
One of the mounting holes must be marked at the level of the cross member. The device itself can be under or above the bar. Attaching the lock to the inside of the wicket, mark the places for the remaining holes with a marker. Next, drill the necessary holes for the lock, handle, locking rod (bolt).
For mounting the counterpart on the support, holes are marked for the crossbar. Gate in this case, it must be closed, and the locking mechanism is open. Then the bar is welded on and the necessary grooves are drilled on it.
To install a mortise locking device, you must first make a box (niche) from a metal profile or corner, which will protect the lock from rain, snow, dirt and dust. The prepared box is welded to the gate frame.
The next step is to mark the future groove for inserting the lock and mounting holes. The groove cut by the grinder and the drilled holes are cleaned.
Place the street lock for the gate in the finished niche, fix it with self-tapping screws and check its operation in action. If the lock does not stick, then insert the handles with a connecting rod and tighten with bolts. For safety reasons, they again check the operation of the lock for skewing. The final action is processing the locking device with special grease, closing the box.
The correct choice of the lock for the gate made of corrugated board, its competent and accurate installation will reliably protect the residents, providing them with peace of mind and moral comfort.