Magnetic Door Locks
Starting at $400 - $2,000
Magnetic Door Locks
Starting at $400 - $2,000
Magnetic door locks (mag locks or electromagnetic locks) use powerful electromagnets to secure doors. They provide superior holding force (600-1,200 pounds), have no moving parts to wear out, and integrate seamlessly with access control systems. When power is applied, the door is locked. When power is cut, the door immediately unlocks - perfect for emergency egress.
Mobile Locksmith Pros installs commercial magnetic locks throughout El Paso, TX. We handle everything from single-door installations to complex multi-door systems with access control integration. All installations meet El Paso fire code and life safety requirements.
How Magnetic Locks Work
The Technology
A mag lock consists of two parts:
- 1. Electromagnet: Mounted on the door frame. Contains a powerful electromagnet that creates a magnetic field when energized (12V or 24V DC power).
- 2. Armature Plate: Mounted on the door. Made of ferrous metal (iron/steel) that's attracted to the electromagnet.
When powered, the magnetic force holds the door closed with 600-1,200 lbs of force - far stronger than mechanical locks. Cut power, and the door immediately releases.
Key Features
- Fail-Safe by Nature: Power loss = instant unlock. Perfect for fire safety.
- No Moving Parts: Nothing to wear out, break, or require adjustment.
- Silent Operation: No clicking, buzzing, or mechanical noise.
- Weatherproof Options: Sealed versions for exterior doors.
- Easy Access Control: Simple on/off electrical control.
Types of Magnetic Locks
🔷 Standard Surface Mount (Most Common)
Best for: Interior doors, inward-swinging doors, most applications
Price Range
$400-$700
Specifications:
- • Holding force: 600 lbs or 1,200 lbs
- • 12V or 24V DC operation
- • Surface mounted on frame/door
- • Works with door closers
✓ Ideal For:
- • Office interior doors
- • Server room access
- • Records/storage rooms
- • Any inward-swinging door
🔶 Shear Mag Lock (Outward Doors)
Best for: Outward-swinging doors, exit doors, exterior applications
Price Range
$700-$1,200
How It's Different:
Standard mag locks use "direct pull" force (pulling straight off). Shear mag locks resist "shearing" force (pushing door sideways). Essential for outward-swinging doors.
✓ Ideal For:
- • Exit doors (push to exit)
- • Exterior doors
- • Fire exit doors with panic bars
- • Any outward-swinging door
🚪 Glass Door / Gate Mag Locks
Best for: All-glass doors, gates, frameless doors, sliding doors
Price Range
$500-$900
Special Features:
- • U-bracket or Z-bracket mounting
- • Works on frameless glass doors
- • Can mount on gates
- • Adjustable for alignment
✓ Ideal For:
- • All-glass storefronts
- • Frameless glass doors
- • Metal gates
- • Turnstiles
Mag Lock vs. Electric Strike - Which to Choose?
| Feature | Magnetic Lock | Electric Strike |
|---|---|---|
| Holding Force | 600-1,200 lbs (stronger) | 200-400 lbs |
| Moving Parts | None (no wear) | Yes (can wear out) |
| Power Failure | Unlocks (fail-safe) | Can be fail-safe or fail-secure |
| Visible on Door | Yes (top of door) | Hidden in frame |
| Installation Cost | $400-$1,200 | $300-$800 (cheaper) |
| Best For | High-security, glass doors, gates | Standard doors, aesthetic preference |
💡 Our Recommendation:
Choose mag locks when: You need maximum security, have glass doors, want no maintenance, or need fail-safe operation. Choose electric strikes when: You want hidden hardware, have a lower budget, or need fail-secure operation.
Required Components for Mag Lock Systems
A complete mag lock system requires more than just the lock itself:
🔋 Power Supply
12V or 24V DC regulated power supply. Must be sized for total current draw of all locks. Backup battery recommended for critical applications.
Cost: $50-$200
🚶 REX (Request to Exit)
Motion sensor or push button on inside to unlock door for exit. Required by fire code in most applications. Can use motion sensor (touchless) or push button.
Cost: $50-$150
🔌 Bond Sensor (Optional)
Monitors whether mag lock is actually locked (magnet and armature in contact). Provides door position status for alarm/access systems.
Cost: $30-$80
🚨 Fire Alarm Integration
Fire code requires mag locks to unlock when fire alarm activates. We wire mag locks to your fire alarm panel's relay output.
Cost: Included in installation
💳 Access Control (Optional)
Card reader, keypad, or biometric device to unlock the mag lock from outside. Can be standalone or networked system.
Cost: $200-$1,500 (see Access Control page)
⏰ Time Delay (Optional)
Programmable timer to unlock doors at specific times (e.g., unlock at 8 AM, lock at 6 PM). Can be standalone or part of access control system.
Cost: $100-$300
Our Mag Lock Installation Process
Security & Code Review
We assess your security needs and review fire code requirements. Mag locks must have proper fire alarm integration for life safety compliance.
System Design
We design the mag lock system including power supply, access control integration, REX devices, and fail-safe requirements.
Professional Installation
We install mag locks with proper alignment, power wiring, and backup power. All work meets electrical and fire codes.
Integration & Testing
We integrate with access control and fire alarm systems. Test all egress scenarios to ensure life safety compliance.
Who Needs Magnetic Locks?
🏢 High-Security Areas
- • Data centers
- • Server rooms
- • Pharmacies (DEA areas)
- • Evidence rooms
- • Jewelry stores
🚪 Glass Doors
- • All-glass storefronts
- • Frameless glass doors
- • Glass office partitions
- • Retail entrances
🏭 Industrial
- • Warehouse access control
- • Manufacturing clean rooms
- • Loading dock doors
- • Equipment rooms
Magnetic Lock Pricing
Standard Mag Lock (600 lbs)
Interior doors
Heavy-Duty Mag Lock (1200 lbs)
Exterior/high-security
Shear Mag Lock
Outward-swinging doors
Mag Lock + Access Control
Complete system per door
Mag Lock + REX (Push to Exit)
With exit button/sensor
Mag Lock + Door Status Monitor
With position sensor
* Prices include mag lock, installation, power supply, and basic REX device. Access control integration extra.
Magnetic Lock Questions
Is a mag lock secure if someone cuts the power?
Cutting power unlocks the mag lock - that's by design for fire safety (fail-safe). For high-security applications, we add: (1) Battery backup to keep lock powered, (2) Door position sensors that trigger alarms if door opens, and (3) Integration with alarm systems. This gives you both security AND life safety compliance.
How long does the battery backup last?
Depends on battery size and number of locks. Typical installations: 4-8 hours of backup power for single lock, 2-4 hours for multiple locks. We size battery backup based on your needs and can provide extended backup if required.
Do mag locks work on doors that aren't perfectly aligned?
Mag locks require the magnet and armature plate to be within 1/4" of each other for maximum holding force. Doors that sag or aren't aligned lose significant holding force. We check alignment during installation and adjust or shim as needed. If a door can't be aligned, we recommend fixing the door or using a different locking method.
Can I open the door from inside without a card reader?
Yes! Fire code requires free egress from inside. We install a REX (request to exit) device - either a motion sensor that unlocks when someone approaches the door, or a push button marked "PUSH TO EXIT." From outside, you need a card reader, keypad, or key switch to unlock.
How much does a mag lock cost to operate (electricity)?
Very little! A standard 600lb mag lock draws about 0.25 amps at 12V (3 watts). Running 24/7 costs about $2-3 per year in electricity. Even large 1,200lb mag locks only cost $5-6 per year to operate.
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