The Last Line of Defense for Your Home: Everything You Need to Know About Lock Cylinders

The lock cylinder is an essential component of a door lock assembly and a critical factor in ensuring the security of your home or business. It is often referred to as the “heart” of the door lock because it is directly responsible for opening and closing the door. Whether you are choosing a door lock for your home, a storage room, or a high-security facility, understanding the types, components, and working principles of the lock cylinder can help you make an informed decision.

What is Lock Cylinder?

A lock cylinder, or lock core, is the mechanism that allows a lock to function by accepting a key that interacts with the lock’s internal components. The lock cylinder contains pins, springs, and other intricate components that work together to enable or disable the locking mechanism when the right key is inserted.

Lock cylinders come in various shapes and sizes, tailored to different locking systems and security needs. They play a vital role in safeguarding residential, commercial, and industrial properties by preventing unauthorized access. In this article, we will explore the types of lock cylinders, their components, materials, and how they work to secure your home.

Components of a Lock Cylinder

The core components of a lock cylinder include:

1. Lock Cylinder: This is the main body of the lock that houses the internal mechanism. It holds the pins, springs, and other components necessary for the key to operate the lock.
2. Key: The key can be inserted into the lock cylinder to operate the lock. Each key is unique and is designed to match the specific lock it is intended for.
3. Mounting Screws: These screws hold the lock cylinder securely in place within the lock mechanism, ensuring stability and proper operation.

These components work together to create a system that allows the lock to open or close, based on whether the correct key is used.

European style spring lock cylinder external dimensions

Length C=A+B
Cylinder Size according to DIN-18252, Section size 17X33X10mm, Cam size R15X6.5mm.

Types of Lock Cylinders

Lock cylinders can be classified based on various factors.

Divided by key:

(1) English/ordinary lock cylinder (English/ordinary key)
(2) Plane / computer lock cylinder (plane / computer key)
(3) Cross cylinder (cross key)

Divided by Function

Double-side key lock cylinder.
Single-side key lock cylinder

Divided by Shape

European lock cylinder, oval shape, round shape

Main Materials

The material used to manufacture lock cylinders plays a significant role in determining their strength and durability. One of the most commonly used materials for making lock cylinders is brass HPB59-1.

Brass HPB59-1:
This is a high-performance brass alloy commonly used in manufacturing lock cylinders. It offers a range of benefits, such as:

1. Corrosion Resistance: Brass does not rust or corrode, ensuring the longevity of the lock cylinder.
2. Durability: Brass is strong yet malleable, making it ideal for the precise and intricate components within a lock cylinder.
3. Ease of Manufacture: Brass can be easily molded and shaped into the necessary components of a lock, making it a cost-effective option for manufacturers.

In addition to brass, some high-security locks may use stainless steel or other hardened metals to further increase resistance to tampering and break-ins.

How Does a Lock Cylinder Work?

Key point: the cylinder pin is fully ejected into the lock body and cut flush with the cylinder core.

Inside the cylinder, the pin holes correspond to the pin holes inside the cylinder core. When the key is not inserted, the pin is pushed into the cylinder core by the spring, the cylinder core cannot be turned and the lock cannot be opened. When the correct key is inserted, the bit of the key is aligned with the key pin, the pin is pressed back into the cylinder core body, the cylinder core is disengaged from the cylinder body, and the cylinder core is able to rotate freely, thus unlocking the lock.

When using the wrong key:

1. the bit of the wrong key does not match the key pin, resulting in the cylinder pin not being pressed into the cylinder body or being pressed out, and the cylinder core cannot be turned;
2. the wrong key has a different cross-section from the correct key and cannot be inserted into the cylinder core.

Common Problems and Causes

1. Lock cylinder idling. Clutch and cam fit clearance is too small; cam, poor quality clutch, chipping.
2. Poor anti-technical opening properties. poor pin accuracy.
3. Poor anti-technical opening properties. Risk of opening the simple clutch.
4. cylinder core pulled out. faulty design of the tail groove on the cylinder core, causing the fix spring to fall off.

The first thing you need to look at to determine the quality is good or bad:

1. Lock cylinder: smoothness of opening; surface treatment; number of pins and protection function.
2. Key: surface quality.

Conclusion

Lock cylinders are an important part of home and business security. Understanding the types of lock cylinders, how they work and the materials used in their manufacture can all help you choose the right lock for you.
Lock cylinders are the last line of defense for security. Based on this article, you’ll be able to choose the best lock cylinder to protect your home and belongings. If you have any further questions, you can contact SDH for advice.