Locksmiths know them well, as they are one of the most common causes of requests for their intervention. We are talking about electric locks which close the pedestrian gates and access doors. The are easy to use and secure, but far too often they are the source of problems . Problems which can largely be avoided by choosing an electric lock with the following features:

1. Double coil

One of the most frequent causes of electric lock malfunctions is a faulty coil controlling the ejector. For this reason, the best locks are fitted with a double coil which, by uniformly distributing the load, guarantees considerable reliability over time.

Viro locks are fitted with a double coil which guarantees a longer service life.

2. Ejector separate from latch

The separate ejector allows the lock to tolerate variations in vertical alignment of ± 7 mm, compared with ± 3.5 mm for locks with the ejector integrated in the latch. This ensures correct operation even after expansion or contraction caused by temperature changes (in the case of metal doors or gates) or humidity variations (in the case of wooden doors), and also when the wear of the hinges tends to misalign lock and striker.

In the Viro locks, the ejector separate from the latch tolerates a greater misalignment.

3. Striker adjustable in height

Over time and with wear of the hinges, the lock and the striker tend to lose alignment, initially complicating the closure and finally making it impossible. For this reason it is important to have a height-adjustable striker, which allows you to recover any vertical movements.

In the Viro locks the adjustable striker allows any misalignment to be adjusted

4. Brass pushbutton

The pushbutton allows the door or gate to be opened from the inside even without a remote electric pulse, and so even without electricity. Brass pushbuttons are preferable to plastic ones, as they do not lose their colour, do not crack and do not break. They therefore have a much longer service life.

5. Adjustable closing force

Doors and gates are not all the same. Some are heavy, needing an ejector with a more rigid spring, and some are light, on which an ejector may be used which has a softer spring, and therefore require less effort to close. Better locks have the possibility of altering the rigidity of the ejector spring by means of simple internal adjustments.

The locking force in Viro locks is adjustable simply by removing a ring.

If you are struggling with an electric lock which is causing you problems it is worth considering the idea of changing it for one with the above features. The same applies if you are buying a lock for a new installation, because it is better to start on the right foot. It must not be forgotten that a good electric lock must have all the quality requirements of a rim door lock, which we have already seen in a previous blog and, just like a manual rim door lock, one must take into consideration the backset, the external cylinder and the direction of opening of the door/gate.
You can see the catalogue of Viro electric locks here
Watch what happens inside an electric lock when the button is pressed