Electric Strike vs Magnetic Lock
An electric strike replaces the metal plate the door latch rests in — the door keeps its normal handle and latch. A magnetic lock (maglock) uses a powerful electromagnet on the frame and a steel armature plate on the door to hold it shut. The biggest functional difference is what happens when power is cut: a fail-secure electric strike stays locked, while a maglock always releases. That single difference drives every installation decision.
Quick comparison
| Electric Strike | Magnetic Lock | |
|---|---|---|
| How it holds | Releases the latch keeper | Electromagnet holds armature plate |
| Power-loss behavior | Fail-secure or fail-safe (selectable) | Always fail-safe (always releases) |
| Door requirement | Needs a door latch and frame | Works on glass, aluminum frame, gates |
| Holding force | 250-1,500 lb depending on model | 600 lb, 1,200 lb, or 1,500 lb models |
| Egress hardware needed | Standard lever or panic bar | REX sensor and fire-alarm tie-in required |
| Backup battery need | Recommended | Required to maintain hold during outage |
| Typical current draw | 300-700 mA | 250-650 mA |
| Relative installed cost | Lower per door | Slightly higher per door |
Electric strikes in detail
An electric strike swaps the fixed strike plate in the door frame for one that contains a moving part. When the controller sends power (or cuts power, depending on the fail mode), the keeper rotates or pivots to release the latch bolt, and the door swings open.
Two fail modes:
- Fail-secure: the strike stays locked when power is removed. A power outage, a cut wire, or a fire-alarm signal leaves the door locked. Used on server rooms, storage, exterior entry doors, and anywhere the priority is keeping unauthorized people out even during an emergency.
- Fail-safe: the strike releases when power is removed. Used on emergency exits and any door on an egress path where people must be able to leave. See fail-safe vs fail-secure for the full fire-code breakdown.
Strike types by door hardware:
- Rim/surface strikes — the simplest, for doors with surface-mounted panic devices.
- Mortise strikes — set into the frame, flush with the door frame face. Common on commercial hollow-metal frames.
- Rotary strikes — use a rotating cam instead of a pivoting keeper. Higher holding force, used on heavier-traffic doors.
- Lip strikes — for standard latch bolts on wood or aluminum frames.
Most commercial applications use a mortise strike in a steel hollow-metal frame. The frame must be compatible with the strike dimensions — a mismatch is the number-one cause of strike rattle and premature failure.
Magnetic locks in detail
A maglock consists of an electromagnet mounted on the door frame header and a steel armature plate mounted on the door. When energized, the electromagnet and armature plate bond with significant force. Cut the power and they release immediately.
Holding force ratings:
- 600 lb — standard for interior office doors and light commercial applications.
- 1,200 lb — common on higher-security entry doors and exterior doors with significant traffic.
- 1,500 lb — used on perimeter gates, loading dock doors, and high-security enclosures.
Because a maglock is always fail-safe, exit hardware requirements are non-negotiable. California code (based on NFPA 101) requires at minimum:
- A request-to-exit (REX) sensor so people can leave from inside without a credential.
- A tie-in to the building fire alarm system so the maglock releases automatically during an alarm.
- On occupied assembly and high-rise occupancies, often a push-to-exit button as a secondary release.
Glass doors and frames: Maglocks are the standard choice for frameless glass storefront doors, glass curtain-wall entries, and aluminum-framed doors where there is no frame cavity to mortise a strike into. Special aluminum Z-brackets or header-mount kits allow clean installation without drilling the glass.
Wiring and power requirements
Both lock types run on low-voltage DC power, typically 12V or 24V. The choice of voltage affects the current draw and the cable run length.
| 12 VDC | 24 VDC | |
|---|---|---|
| Current draw (maglock, 1,200 lb) | ~500 mA | ~250 mA |
| Max wire run before voltage drop | ~100 ft (18 AWG) | ~300 ft (18 AWG) |
| Common use | Short runs, small systems | Long cable runs, larger systems |
Running 24 VDC over long cable runs reduces voltage drop and the risk of the lock browning out under load. On a system with multiple doors, a licensed low-voltage contractor calculates the load and cable sizing for each run — this is exactly the kind of work that requires a California Contractor License, not just a locksmith license.
Locking on alarm vs. unlocking on alarm: the power supply must be able to signal the lock correctly when the fire alarm activates. This is done through a relay or a direct supervised input from the fire alarm panel to the access control power supply. Wiring this incorrectly is a code violation and a life-safety failure.
Which lock belongs on which door?
| Door type | Recommended lock | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Standard office door with latch | Fail-secure electric strike | Stays locked in outage; uses existing latch |
| Emergency exit (exit stairwell) | Fail-safe electric strike or maglock | Must release in fire; maglock needs proper REX/fire tie-in |
| Glass storefront entry | Maglock with header mount | No frame cavity; maglocks suit glass/aluminum |
| Server room / IT closet | Fail-secure electric strike | Must stay locked in outage |
| Loading dock roll-up gate | High-force maglock (1,200+ lb) | No latch; high traffic and force |
| Perimeter gate (outdoor) | Weatherproof maglock | Outdoor-rated, no latch possible |
| ADA public entrance | Fail-safe with auto operator | Integrates with door opener; complies with ADA force limits |
Common installation mistakes to avoid
- Undersized maglock for the door weight: a heavy solid-core door that swings hard can shear the bond on a 600 lb lock over time. Match holding force to door weight and traffic.
- No fire-alarm interface on a maglock: an inspector will fail this immediately, and it is a genuine life-safety issue.
- Wrong fail mode for the door role: fail-secure on an exit path traps occupants. This is the most dangerous access control installation error.
- Drilling fire-rated frames: some steel frames are fire-rated assemblies. Drilling them incorrectly voids the rating. Use a UL-listed mortise strike that matches the frame’s fire rating.
- Powering the lock from the controller board: controllers have limited current output. Locks should draw power from a dedicated access control power supply, not the controller PCB.
See access control system components explained for the full picture of how the power supply, controller, and lock connect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more secure, an electric strike or a magnetic lock? Both are strong when installed correctly. A fail-secure strike holds during a power outage; a 1,200 lb maglock is very difficult to force while energized. The correct fail mode matters more than the lock type.
Are magnetic locks safe for fire exits? Yes, if properly configured — they need a request-to-exit device and a direct tie-in to the fire alarm panel so the door releases during an emergency.
Do maglocks need a backup battery? Yes. Without power a maglock releases. A battery backup keeps it holding during an outage, and keeps the controller running so authorized people can still badge in.
Can you use an electric strike on a glass door? Not typically — glass doors have no frame cavity to mortise a strike into. Maglocks with header or Z-bracket mounts are the standard choice for glass storefront entries.
What voltage should I choose, 12V or 24V? 24V is preferred for runs longer than 100 feet because it reduces current draw and voltage drop. Your installer should calculate this based on the cable run length and lock model.
Not sure which lock your door needs? Golden Locks fits the right electric lock for every door as part of commercial access control installation in Orange County. We hold both a Locksmith License and a Contractor License — the two credentials California requires for this work. Call (714) 841-0141.
By Omar, Licensed Locksmith and Access Control Specialist — CA Lic. #LCO4446 / #988707.