Types of Access Hardware for Enclosure Security and How to Choose the Right Ones
When you’re designing enclosures to house critical equipment for electrical generating facilities, hospitals, schools, airports, telecoms, or any other industry, security must play a part when choosing your components. There will no doubt be external security measures, but part of your job is to restrict access to the enclosure, which can be achieved with hinges, latches, handles and locks.
Our guide covers:
• Introduction to Access Hardware and Its Role in Enclosure Security
• Common Types of Hardware Locks and Latches for Enclosures
• Understanding Enclosure Handles and How to Choose the Right Ones
• Choosing the Right Keys and Keyed Locks for Enclosure Security
• Factors to Consider When Choosing Access Hardware for Your Enclosure
Introduction to Access Hardware and Its Role in Enclosure Security
For security, access hardware components have a vital role. There will no doubt be external security measures, but part of your job is to restrict access to the enclosure, which can be achieved with hinges, latches, handles and locks.
Common Types of Hardware Locks and Latches for Enclosures
Security requirements can vary, of course, depending on the monetary value of what your enclosure is housing. These access hardware parts below can be used for specific cases.
There are different types of locks and latches and they are being used for a vary of reasons:
- Access restriction not required, but safety and security of personnel and equipment is necessary. Think about: Wing knob latch. For extra security, some wing knobs allow for padlock fitting.
- General access is limited, but you need to protect equipment. Think about: quarter turn latches. To open your application, the key not only unlocks your enclosure or cabinet door, it acts as a knob.
- Access is restricted and equipment needs protection. Think about: cylinder locks. These allow for more complex pin angles within the lock, frustrating burglars and vandals.
Quarter turn latches and cam locks are designed to be less visible, reducing their vulnerability. There are different types of cam locks. The cam does the latching and is operated with a key. The types of enclosures that cam locks are normally used in are:
• Electrical housings
• Computer rack
• Meter boxes
• Commercial refrigeration
• Mechanical housings
Understanding Enclosure Handles and How to Choose the Right Ones
You can operate all latching with a single rod latch handle, even if the latching points are located on different sides. Rod control corners can allow for an eight-point locking system.
For electronic cabinets in data centers, flush compression lever latches and offset compression lever latches with locks seal the enclosure and eliminate nuisance door opening.
Other locks to think about for securing your application include:
- T-Handle heavy duty lockable, also known as handle turn cam latches with T-handles. The padlock you employ prevents the T-handle from being lifted, making forced entry almost impossible.
- L-handle locks, which uses cam latches to secure and access electric panels and machinery covers.
Both T and L handles are lockable and work well for applications that are accessed often. Find out more in our guide Handle design: T, L and pull handles.
Choosing the Right Keys and Keyed Locks for Enclosure Security
A swing handle gear box with a three-point locking system prevents tampering to protect your enclosure. Lift and turn cam latches can come with swing handles for added security. Swing handles are available in plastic or metal and can be used with either a single point, double point or triple point latching system.
What makes swing handles a good choice – whether plastic or metal – comes down to how they work: The handle is opened with a key. When locked, the handle can not be lifted and turned. If your enclosure is designed for outside, remember to ensure that your swing handle has your desired IP rating.
Learn more about IP ratings in our guide IP Codes and what they mean.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Access Hardware for Your Enclosure
No matter what kind of enclosure you have, you need to choose the access hardware you use carefully. The access hardware you choose should provide easy and secure access. Locks, latches and other access hardware products have their own advantages and during the decision process, you need to consider the factors below.
A point to consider about your materials: not only does polyamide or stainless steel offer strength for your lock, but these are materials that will potentially give you the IP rating you might desire for your enclosure.
For HVAC applications, a good security measure is a rod corner control. This is helpful when latching is required on multiple sides of a hinged door. It allows you to place latching points along any side of your door.
You can operate all latching with a single rod latch handle, even if the latching points are located on different sides. Rod control corners can allow for an eight-point locking system.
For electronic cabinets in data centers, flush compression lever latches and offset compression lever latches with locks seal the enclosure and eliminate nuisance door opening.
How hinges can help
Quite a few hinges can help you make your cabinet or enclosure more secure, but a note of caution: incorrect specifications will fail to offer any kind of protection, in addition to the risk of premature failure and damaging the doors or lids.
Weld-on hinges are usually used for heavy steel doors, so if your application fits that description, it’s an excellent choice. Weld-on hinges, as the name says, are welded onto another steel surface, so they can’t be removed.
Concealed hinges mount inside the enclosure, specifically onto the door’s thickness instead of its surface. This not only give you the advantage of security, but aesthetic appeal too, as the hinge is invisible. It can not be accessed or tampered with. There are no door-to-jamb gaps common some other hinges.
Continuous hinges, also known as piano hinges, work well in applications that get continuous use, which translates to wear and tear. These hinges can be cut to match the entire length of your application. They’re designed to distribute weight evenly, which reduces stress on the door or lid they’re attached to. Removing the door off the hinges would be a time-consuming, herculean task, which is why they provide an excellent level of security.
Security can be heightened when the hinge and the means to operate it are invisible. For this reason, leaf hinges are another good choice, with concealed mounting screws that prevent outside access. Leaf hinges made of steel with a countersunk mount are especially popular for providing tamperproof protection.
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Questions?
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