In the past, integrators and dealers installing an electronic access control stuck to what they knew — electronics — and subcontracted a locksmith to deal with the “hardware” component. Technology, economics and business motivations are changing that, however. More than ever it makes sound business sense in certain cases to take on the complete installation, which means delving into the world of locks. While electric strikes and magnetic locks also need their own knowledge base, electrified locks are one of the most common, and most tricky for the newcomer, to install properly. The good news is that once you get familiar with how to do it, they are pretty simple to do.
At the heart of things, the electrified lockset (and hinge, which is a related and important component) is a means of electrically controlling the door via an access control system. The electrified lockset can be either fail-safe or fail-secure, says Keith Lathrop, business development manager, Midwest Wholesale Hardware, Kansas City, Mo.