Securitron M68 (L, S and LS with D and T Options) - Manual (Page 13)

PN# 500-21400
Page 13 Rev. B, 8/07
right. The Senstat output is created by the strike establishing electrical contact between the
leftmost and rightmost core segments. With the lock powered, use a pair of scissors and press
the points respectively into the leftmost and rightmost core segments. The Senstat output
should then report secure. This shows that the problem lies in the strike not making correct
flat contact with the magnet face. If the scissors technique does not cause the lock to report
secure, check to see if there is a broken Senstat wire. If this is not the case, the lock must be
returned to the factory for replacement.
PROBLEM: The lock does not release.
When power is removed from it, the Magnalock must release. Therefore the complaint of "lock
will not release" is either mechanical bonding via vandalism or a failure to completely release
power. By mechanical bonding, we simply mean that glue has been applied between the strike
plate and magnet as a prank. Failure to completely release power is generally a wiring
integrity problem. What happens is that an upstream switch removes power from the wires
going to the Magnalock, but through an installation error, the wires have their insulation
abraded between the switch and lock so that partial or full power can leak in from another
Magnalock or other DC device with similarly abraded wiring. This is most likely to occur at the
point where the wire cable leaves the Magnalock case and enters the door frame. Another
area is via an improper splice on wiring in conduit. Either a metal door frame or the metal
conduit is capable of leaking power between multiple devices with abraded wires, thereby
bypassing switches. A good way to check this electrically (as opposed to visually removing and
inspecting the wires) is to use a meter and check for leakage between the power supply
positive or negative and the door frame and conduit. Magnalocks should be powered by
isolated DC voltage without any earth ground reference to positive or negative.
PROBLEM: The lock rusts.
Both the magnet core and strike plate are plated and sealed following a military specification.
If rusting appears, the most common cause is that improper cleaning (with steel wool for
instance) has occurred and this has stripped off the relatively soft plating. Once the plating
has been removed, it cannot be restored in the field, so the lock will have to be periodically
cleaned and coated with oil or other rust inhibitor. A rusty Magnalock will still function but at
reduced holding force. If the product is installed in a heavily corrosive atmosphere, such as
near the ocean, it will eventually rust even with non-abrasive cleaning. The only answer then
becomes continued periodic removal of the rust.
PROBLEM: Apparent electronic noise interference with the access control system.
Electric locks, being inductive devices, return voltage spikes on their power wires and also emit
microwave radiation when switched. This can interfere with access control electronics causing
malfunctions. Access control contractors often employ installation techniques designed to
isolate the access control electronics from the electric lock. These include separate circuits for
the lock, shielded wiring and other techniques. These techniques will vary with the sensitivity
of the access control system electronics and should, of course be followed. Note that
Magnalocks include internal electronics which suppress both inductive kickback and radiation.
They have been extensively tested and accepted by numerous access control manufacturers
and have been used in thousands of installations without incident. An apparent noise problem
is therefore usually not caused by the Magnalock. The access control equipment may be itself
faulty or have been installed improperly. One problem can arise with the Magnalock. If the
Senstat version is being used, the strike plate (which passes current) must be isolated from a
metal door and frame. Securitron supplies insulating hardware to accomplish this but the
hardware may not have been used or the strike may be scraping against the header for
instance. Check for full isolation between the strike and the door frame (when the door is
secured) with an Ohmmeter. The presence of lock voltage potential in the door frame can
interfere with the ground reference of access control system data communication and therefore
cause a problem.
IF YOUR PROBLEM PERSISTS
CALL SECURITRON TOLL FREE
1-800-MAG-LOCK