What is an electronic lock? How does it work?

Electronic locks are becoming more and more popular, chosen by many people because of their outstanding advantages compared to traditional locks. So what are electronic locks, and how do they work? Let’s find out with Tnhelearning.edu.vn through the article below.

What is an electronic lock?

An electronic lock (also known as a smart lock) is an electrically operated lock , fixed to the door, using an electronic chip to identify and unlock the lock in different ways without the need for a key. traditional locks, including: fingerprint, magnetic card, password, remote or wifi/bluetooth.

Electronic door lock uses AA batteries, using time from 6 to 12 months depending on the level of use of the lock.

Advantages and disadvantages of electronic locks

Advantage

Open / close the door quickly and conveniently

Electronic locks help to close / open the door faster than a traditional lock, because you do not have to spend time putting the key in the right joint in the lock to open it. The door will also automatically lock when you close the door, limiting forgetting to lock the door when going out.

This type of lock also helps you avoid problems such as losing or forgetting your keys.

Safer for users than traditional locks

The electronic lock has a high level of security with a solid design, controls the opening/closing of the door with an electronic chip, which cannot be copied or cracked or opened. Only those who are provided by you with a password, or a magnetic card to open it, will the lock system recognize it.

Some types of locks will also be integrated with features such as managing all doors opening / closing on the phone, alarm sound when the lock is not completely closed, burglar alarm and fire alarm sensor.

Easy to share with family members

Instead of each family member having to have a separate key to enter the house like a traditional lock, an electronic lock will allow everyone to enter the house through sharing a password, or pre-installing each person’s fingerprint. .

Some types of locks have the feature of sharing a short-term password (only used once) or opening the door remotely via wifi, so that you can still open the door even if you are far away.

Easy to change suitable mode

To ensure security, you can change the password or fingerprint right on the lock system, instead of having to spend time changing another mechanical lock and re-issue a new key for every member of the house.

Increase the aesthetics and modernity of the house

Electronic locks often have modern designs and delicate colors, making your home space more luxurious and aesthetic.

Defect

Because of the outstanding utilities, the cost of electronic locks is many times higher than that of traditional locks, as well as the complicated and time-consuming installation process.

During use, you also need to pay attention to the low battery indicator light on the lock to change the battery in time.

Note: When you have trouble opening the lock, you must contact a technician for support instead of breaking the lock yourself.

Features of electronic locks

1. Fingerprint unlock

You need to install your fingerprint on the lock system first, then just put the right finger that has been imprinted into the lock, the door will be opened.

Advantage:

– High security, because each person has a different fingerprint code, cannot be copied or stolen.

– Some types of lock can record up to 100 different fingerprints.

Defect:

If your hand is injured, or your hands sweat a lot, the system will not be able to recognize the fingerprint to open the door.

To overcome this, you should dry your hands thoroughly before unlocking, as well as set up many different fingerprints in case one finger is injured.

2. Unlock with magnetic card

This locking system uses a magnetic card to open the door. Each card consists of an electronic chip that stores a different data code. Magnetic keys often use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, identifying objects by radio waves, allowing to read the information contained in the chip.

You just need to put the magnetic card into the identification spot on the electronic lock system, the door will be opened.

Advantage:

– Open the door quickly and conveniently, it only takes about 2 to 3 seconds to open the door.

– Anyone can open the door when receiving the card because it does not require each person to make preset settings such as fingerprint unlock.

Cons: have to remember to bring the card with you every time you go out, it is possible to forget, lose or break the card.

3. Unlock with code

Users can register and create many different passwords according to their wishes. The lock system will remember the data and you only need to enter the correct set of passwords to enter the house.

Advantage:

– Easily change the password regularly to ensure safety.

– Can allow others to enter the house by sharing the password with them.

Defect:

– Must enter the whole sequence of codes correctly, some locks also require an extra * or # sign when entering the code, so unlocking time is longer than opening with fingerprint or magnetic card.

– When unlocking you also need to be careful, to avoid letting others peek at the password.

4. Unlock by remote

Remotely controlled door locks by remote use a sensor device with two receivers, one in the door lock and one in the hand-held control. When you operate on the remote, the signal will be transmitted to the lock system to open the door.

Advantages: open the door with a very long distance (up to 40 or 50m) without having to go to the place to be able to unlock it.

Cons: having to carry the remote when going out, it’s easy to forget or lose it.

5. Unlock via Bluetooth

The Bluetooth door lock has the ability to connect to a smartphone for you to perform remote unlocking.

Advantage:

– Unlock within a range of 30-40m.

– Can check the lock access history on the phone such as all openings / closings, changing passwords, …

Defect:

The range of unlocking radius is limited.

6. Unlock via Wifi

Similar to Bluetooth door lock, Wifi door lock will link the lock system with smartphones by waves such as Wifi, 3G/4G, Zwave, ZigBee, … allowing you to unlock or look up activity history of the key via an app on your phone.

Advantage:

– Can control the lock at any place with wifi, not limited to the radius range. This is very useful when you are traveling or working away from home but still want to open the door for friends and relatives to enter the house.

– Can manage the operation of the lock through the application on the phone.

– The lock system will send an alert to the application on the phone when it detects that a thief is trying to break the lock to break in.

Cons: Cannot perform in conditions of weak or no network connection.

Many types of smart locks today integrate many different ways of locking on the same device and have an additional mechanical key included. Thanks to that, you can safely unlock in any situation, even when the electronic lock suddenly runs out of battery.

The table compares the pros and cons of the unlocking methods

	Fingerprint unlock	Unlock with magnetic card	Unlock with passcode	Unlock by remote	Unlock by Bluetooth	Unlock by Wifi
Advantage	– High security: cannot be stolen or copied. – No need to remember which unlocking device to bring when going out.	– Open the door quickly and conveniently , it only takes about 2 to 3 seconds to open the door. – No need to install separately for each person , just receive the card to open the door.	– Easy to change password regularly to ensure safety. – no need to remember to bring any unlocking device when leaving the house. – Easily allow others to enter the house by sharing the password for them.	Remote unlock within a range of 40 – 50 m, no need to get close.	– Remote unlock . – Manage the operation of the lock through the application on the phone.	– Remote lock control anytime, anywhere just need Wifi, 3G, … – Manage the operation of the lock through the application on the phone.
Defect	If the finger is injured, or the hand sweats a lot, it will be difficult for the system to recognize the fingerprint.	You must bring your card with you every time you go out, it is possible that it is forgotten, lost or broken.	– It takes time to enter the code, so unlocking time may be longer than opening with fingerprint or magnetic card. – Be careful when entering the code, avoid letting others peek.	Remember to take the remote with you when you go out.	The range of unlocking is limited, only in the range of 30-40m.	Cannot perform in conditions of weak network connection/no network.

In general, electronic locks are more and more widely used thanks to their convenience and higher security than traditional mechanical keys. It should be noted to choose genuine keys from reputable brands, avoid using fake goods, counterfeit goods, affecting the safety of your home.