The Lock Behind the Reader: EM Locks and Access Accessories
Every card reader or face recognition terminal on a controlled door needs a locking mechanism: the hardware that actually keeps the door secured until the credential is accepted. Ebelco is Securevision's primary brand for this layer: electromagnetic locks (EM locks), door holders, exit push buttons, and the power supplies that run them. Ebelco products have been specified in Singapore access control installations for many years and have proven themselves reliable and stable in the local climate.
The EM lock is a straightforward but critical component. It consists of two parts: an electromagnet mounted on the door frame and a steel armature plate mounted on the door. When energised, the magnet and plate bond with a holding force measured in kilogram-force (KGF). When the access control system accepts a valid credential, power is cut to the magnet, the bond releases, and the door opens. When the door closes again, the armature plate contacts the magnet and the bond re-establishes automatically: the door is locked again without any action required from the person passing through.
Securevision Scope
Securevision supplies and installs Ebelco EM locks as the standard locking mechanism on access-controlled doors: glass doors, wooden doors, metal doors, side gates, and stairwell doors. We also supply Ebelco exit push buttons, door holders, and power supplies as part of complete access control door packages. The choice of EM lock model is driven by the door type, indoor or outdoor environment, and the required holding force.
Holding Force, Indoor vs Outdoor, and Why Size Matters
EM lock selection involves two key decisions: how much holding force is needed, and whether the lock is for an indoor or outdoor installation.
Holding Force: From 600KGF to 2,400KGF
Holding force is measured in kilogram-force (KGF): the force required to break the magnetic bond and open the door. The standard indoor Ebelco EM lock at 600KGF is sufficient for most office and commercial interior door applications. To put 600KGF in physical terms: it takes approximately the combined force of two adults leaning or pushing hard against the door simultaneously to break the bond. For a controlled interior door in an office or commercial building, this is more than adequate.
For outdoor gates and exterior doors: where the lock is exposed to weather, where the gap between the magnet and armature plate may vary with temperature expansion, and where tampering risk is higher: Securevision specifies the Ebelco Access series. The outdoor environment means the magnetic field is working harder to maintain the bond, and a higher holding force provides the necessary safety margin. The Access 800 (800KGF) is the standard outdoor specification. For higher-security outdoor applications: a gate where forced entry is a genuine concern: the EM1200 (1,200KGF) or EM2400 (2,400KGF) can be specified. At 2,400KGF, breaking the bond manually is not practically achievable.
Indoor vs Outdoor: The Access Series for Exterior Use
The standard Ebelco EM lock range is rated for indoor use: protected from rain, condensation, and direct weather exposure. For outdoor applications: side gates, exterior doors, covered but ventilated stairwells: Securevision specifies the Ebelco Access series, which is designed for outdoor exposure. The Access series uses weather-resistant materials and construction to maintain reliable operation through Singapore's rain and humidity.
This distinction matters in practice. Using an indoor-rated EM lock outdoors shortens its service life significantly: moisture ingress, corrosion of the armature plate, and weakening of the magnetic core over time. Securevision specifies the correct series for the installation environment at the outset rather than leaving the client with an underperforming lock a year into the installation.
Door Closer: Essential When an EM Lock Is Installed
An EM lock only works when the door is closed and the armature plate is in contact with the magnet. If the door is left ajar: even slightly: there is no magnetic bond and no security. This is why a door closer is essential on any door fitted with an EM lock.
Architects and fitout contractors sometimes install EM locks without door closers, or fit auto closers that are too aggressive: causing the door to slam shut with force. The armature plate banging against the magnet repeatedly causes noise, loosens fixings over time, and can eventually crack the wall mounting if the impact force is high enough.
Securevision always recommends fitting a door closer with a soft-close function on any EM lock door: the closer controls the closing speed and brings the door gently to the magnet rather than slamming it. A mechanical door closer is the standard specification. For glass doors, a soft-touch pneumatic closer (similar to the damping mechanism on a drawer slide) is the preferred aesthetic option. Both prevent the banging problem and protect the EM lock installation over the long term.
EM Lock Fail-Safe Behaviour: What Happens When Power Is Lost
EM locks are inherently fail-safe: when power is lost, the magnetic bond releases and the door can be opened. This is a deliberate safety design: in a fire or building emergency, a power failure means all EM-locked doors can be pushed open for evacuation without any key or credential required.
The practical implication is that EM lock installations require a battery backup: typically providing 2 to 4 hours of standby power. If mains power fails and the battery runs down beyond this window, the door will be unsecured. For applications where security during extended power outages is the primary concern: rather than fire evacuation safety: an electric strike (such as VIRO) is the alternative. Electric strikes are fail-secure: they default to locked on power loss and require a mechanical key or deliberate power-on to open.
Securevision advises clients on which approach suits their specific door, environment, and risk profile at the design stage.
Ebelco Products We Use
Standard EM Lock Series: Indoor
Ebelco indoor EM locks for glass, wooden, and metal doors in office and commercial buildings. Standard specification for interior controlled doors. 600KGF holding force: sufficient for all standard interior access control applications.
Access Series: Outdoor
Ebelco outdoor-rated EM locks for side gates, external doors, and covered exterior applications. Access 800 (800KGF) is the standard outdoor specification. Access 1200 (1,200KGF) for higher-security gates. Access 2400 (2,400KGF) for maximum-security outdoor applications. Weather-resistant construction for Singapore's climate.
Accessories: Push Buttons & Power Supplies
Ebelco exit push buttons for door release from inside the controlled area, door holders for propping doors open during working hours, and power supply units for the EM lock system. Power supplies provide mains power to the EM lock and maintain battery backup for 2–4 hours on power failure.
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