Picking the right locking method is one of the most important decisions in any access control job. Get it right, and the door works smoothly for years. Get it wrong, and you're looking at poor reliability, awkward fitting, or worse, a setup that doesn't meet escape requirements.
The choice usually comes down to two options: a magnetic lock kit or an electric release kit. Both secure a door, but they work in completely different ways and suit different situations. This guide breaks down how each one works, where each performs best, and how to choose based on the door in front of you.
When you're ready to compare your options, browse the full range of access control systems kit bundles to match the right locking method to your installation.
How a Maglock Access Control System Kit Works
A magnetic lock, or maglock, holds a door shut using a powerful electromagnet. The magnet mounts to the door frame, and a metal armature plate fixes to the door itself. When power flows to the magnet, it grips the plate and holds the door firmly closed. Cut the power, and the door releases.
This makes a maglock fail-safe by design. If the power drops or a fire alarm triggers, the door unlocks automatically. That behaviour matters hugely for fire escape routes, where free egress is a legal requirement under UK fire safety rules.
A typical maglock access control system kit includes the magnetic lock and bracket, an entry device such as a keypad or proximity reader, an exit button, a power supply, and usually an emergency break-glass switch for compliance on escape routes.
Strengths of maglock kits
- Fail-safe operation suits fire escape doors and emergency routes
- No moving parts in the lock itself, so wear is minimal
- Strong holding force options for perimeter and high-security doors
- Surface mounting often makes fitting simpler on awkward frames
Things to watch
- The lock needs constant power to stay secure, so a power cut means an open door
- You'll usually need a break-glass switch and clear exit hardware to meet egress rules
- Surface-mounted magnets are visible, which some clients dislike on smart entrances
How an Electric Release Kit Works
An electric release works alongside a traditional mechanical lock. Instead of replacing the door's lock, it controls the strike plate, the metal keep that the latch sits into. When the system grants access, the release lets the latch slip free so the door can open.
Most electric releases are fail-secure, meaning the door stays locked if power is lost. This is ideal for internal doors, stockrooms, and offices where you want the door to remain shut during a power cut. Fail-safe versions exist too, but the fail-secure setup is the common choice for non-escape doors.
An electric release kit typically pairs the release strike with a keypad or fob reader, an exit button, and a matched power supply. Because the door keeps its existing handle and mechanical lock, staff can still use a key as a backup.
Strengths of electric release kits
- Discreet fitting, hidden within the frame
- Retains the mechanical lock, so a physical key still works
- Fail-secure by default keeps non-escape doors shut during power loss
- Lower power draw than a maglock holding constant current
Things to watch
- Fitting requires morticing into the frame, which takes more skill and time
- Not suited to every door material or configuration
- Standard fail-secure versions are not appropriate for fire escape routes
Maglock Kit vs Electric Release Kit: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's how the two stack up across the factors that matter most on site.
|
Factor |
Maglock Kit |
Electric Release Kit |
|---|---|---|
|
Locking method |
Electromagnet holds door |
Controls the strike on existing lock |
|
Default behaviour |
Fail-safe (unlocks on power loss) |
Usually fail-secure (stays locked) |
|
Best for escape routes |
Yes, with break-glass switch |
No, unless a fail-safe version is specified |
|
Mounting |
Surface-mounted, visible |
Recessed in frame, discreet |
|
Mechanical key backup |
No |
Yes, keeps existing lock |
|
Power use |
Constant draw while locked |
Lower, draws only on release |
|
Installation effort |
Generally simpler |
More involved, needs morticing |
|
Heavy/high-traffic doors |
Strong with high holding force |
Depends on door and strike spec |
Choosing Based on the Door and the Job
The right choice rarely comes down to preference. It depends on the door, the route, and how people use it. Run through these factors before you decide.
Door construction
Door material and frame type heavily influence what fits. Maglocks work well where there's a flat surface to mount the magnet and plate, including some glass and aluminium frames with the right brackets. Electric releases suit doors that already have a mechanical lock and a frame you can recess the strike into, common on timber and many metal doors. Always confirm the locking method against the specific door before ordering.
Escape requirements
This is the deciding factor on any fire door or designated escape route. Egress must be immediate and unhindered. A fail-safe maglock paired with a green break-glass switch is the standard approach here. A standard fail-secure electric release is not suitable for these doors.
Traffic levels
High-traffic doors take a beating. A maglock with no moving parts copes well with constant use. Electric releases handle traffic too, but the mechanical latch and strike see more wear, so spec accordingly.
Holding force
Perimeter and high-security doors call for strong holding force, where maglocks offer clear options. Internal office doors and lighter applications often don't need that level of grip, making an electric release a tidy, discreet fit.
Installation constraints
If the job needs a fast, clean install on a tricky frame, a surface-mounted maglock can save time. If the client wants the hardware hidden and a key backup retained, an electric release is the better route, provided the door suits morticing.
Guidance by Property Type
- Offices: Internal doors often suit electric release kits for their discreet look and key backup. Main entrances on escape routes lean towards fail-safe maglocks.
- Retail: Stockrooms and staff-only doors work well with electric releases. Fire exits need fail-safe maglocks with break-glass switches.
- Apartments and communal buildings: Communal entrance doors on escape routes typically use maglocks. Individual flat or cupboard doors may use releases.
- Workshops and units: Heavy, high-traffic doors benefit from the holding force and durability of a maglock kit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Fitting a fail-secure release on a fire escape door. Egress must never depend on power being present. This is a serious compliance failure.
- Choosing a lock before checking the door. Material, frame, and configuration decide what actually fits. Confirm first.
- Skipping the break-glass switch on maglock escape doors. Fail-safe behaviour alone isn't enough; you need clear manual override on the route.
- Underestimating holding force. A maglock that's too weak for a heavy perimeter door won't hold reliably.
- Buying mismatched parts. Voltage and relay compatibility matter. A matched kit removes that risk entirely.
Making the Right Call
In short: reach for a maglock kit when you need fail-safe behaviour on escape routes, strong holding force, or a simpler surface fit. Choose an electric release kit when you want a discreet install, a retained mechanical key, and fail-secure behaviour on internal, non-escape doors.
Confirm the door type and escape status first, then match the kit to it. Get that order right and the rest of the install follows smoothly.
If you're weighing up your options, compare the full range of access control systems and pick the locking method that suits your door, your route, and your client.
