What is a euro cylinder lock and why is it popular in the uk?
There are many different types of lock for the many varieties of doors we need to operate around the home or workplace. The euro cylinder lock is one of the most popular types of lock currently used, particularly in the UK, due to its effectiveness and versatility. Although it is considered a very modern type of lock it is based on the ‘pin tumbler’ locking system which is a very traditional type of locking system that has been operational for many years. This system uses a series of pins in the cylinder of different lengths, these engage with the serrated edges of a key to detect a specific pattern, which when detected will engage or disengage a lock.
A euro cylinder lock is therefore a type of cylindrical lock and can feature up to eleven pins in its cylinder, but usually features either five or six, depending on the level of security you need. It is one of the most popular types of lock because it is easy to install and can be versatile to suit the security needs of your specific circumstances. For this reason euro cylinder locks are commonly found in both residential and commercial properties.
Where would you use a euro cylinder lock?
The pin tumbler design refers to the cylinder and the series of pins that are common to many locks, but the profile, or cross-sectional design, is what makes the euro cylinder lock unique. The more pins used in the euro cylinder lock, the stronger and higher level of security you can expect. And for this reason, euro cylinder locks are commonly used in:
- External uPVC doors
- Garage doors
- Patio doors
- French doors
- Aluminium or steel doors
- Wooden doors
So euro cylinder locks can be used for both internal and external doors, and while a cylinder can accommodate up to eleven pins, six pin locks are considered sufficiently robust for a typical external door. Five pin euro cylinder locks are more suitable for internal doors, such as offices and storerooms in a commercial building.
How does a euro cylinder lock work?
So a euro cylinder lock will contain two sets of either five or six pins. These are separated into two matching sets with slight differences. The upper set are all the same length and are flat at both ends, while they are also attached to springs. The lower set will be different lengths (according to the key configuration they need to match) and will be slightly tapered at each end.
The idea of a pin tumbler lock is to create a shear line, whereby the pins create an even joint by being pushed up together at different heights by the indents of the correct key. The key used to operate the lock will have a unique pattern of indents on its facing blade, and these will match the different lengths of the lower pins in the cylinder. This means that, when the key is inserted into the key cylinder, the lower set of pins will be pushed up to lie flush to the upper pins. This allows a revolving cylindrical cam to be turned and creates the space for the cam bolt to be activated. In other words, the key matching the varying lengths of the pins, enables the internal bolt to be projected either into or out of the lock housing, hence locking or unlocking the door. This also explains why using the wrong key, or even a worn or damaged key, won’t lock or unlock the door, as the pins won’t line up properly to enable the bolt to be activated.
A six-pin lock means there is an extra pin to match up, and also means the lock is harder to pick, manipulate or force, thus providing an extra layer of security.
Why are euro cylinder locks so popular in the UK?
Euro cylinder locks are one of the most popular models of lock on the market. This is because:
- They rely on a tried and tested form of lock design, ie. the pin tumbler design.
- This type of lock is strong, robust and durable and is very hard for an intruder to pick or tamper with.
- There are ways to increase the security required if you need it, ie. with a five or six pin lock.
- A euro cylinder lock is very versatile and can be used in many different types of door.
- The euro cylinder lock is easy to install and is also easy to clean and maintain.