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The security level and the choice of a cylinder are decided according to various criteria:
The profile, the model and the size of the cylinder
The locking system and the cylinder locking mechanism
The type of protection and version (the cylinder mechanism)
The type of your cylinder key
The cylinder profile is the first thing to check before changing your cylinder. You can easily tell the profile of your cylinder by looking at the visible part of your old cylinder in your door (the key passage). There are 2 types of cylinder profiles:
European cylinder
Adaptable cylinder
Choose the cylinder model according to the locking system
Simple keyholeLocking by the key on one side Dual keyhole – A key from 2 sides Half-cylinder With a key or with a button Button Deadlatching from inside with a button
Depending on the option selected, you can choose from 4 cylinder profiles:
A double entry cylinder profile – A key that allows you to lock both from inside and outside A cylinder profile with a button – A key that allows to lock from the outside and a button that allows to lock from the inside Half-cylinder profile Lockable from one side of the door with a key Half-cylinder profile with a button Lockable from one side of the door with a button
The total length of your cylinder is the width of the door edge plus the thickness of the linings such as the handle protection plate, and the thickness of the aesthetic rose… For security and convenience reasons, it is essential that roses be installed around the cylinder – at the two sides of your door.
N.B.: For more information, see our tips page: How to change your cylinder These two values A & B may or may not be the same
Most cylinders are made of brass which provides protection against corrosion by oxidation (outdoor use). Some of these cylinders feature polished brass finish, a polishing treatment that provides a smooth surface and has a shiny appearance.
Other cylinders could be made of nickel plated brass, where nickel provides good protection (better mechanical properties) and enhances the strength.
It becomes tarnished when exposed to the air. Finally, there are cylinders with chrome-plated brass finish which enhances mechanical resistance when hot, and oxidation (strong resistance to rust).
The cylinder cannot be removed from the lock
It will be impossible for an intruder to turn the key to open the door even by tapping on a strike key (or a percussion key) which moves the lock cylinder pins
The drill bit rotates in a void
The cylinder cannot be torn out with a large clip. The front part breaks but the cylinder remains attached to the lock body
The cylinder can be knocked off with a hammer from the lock
The key may be reproduced only via its manufacturer with an appropriate controlled owner’s card
The cylinder cannot be picked with a paperclip or lock picks
The pins mechanism
Generally, the greater is the number of pins allowing the passage of the key in the lock cylinder, the higher is security. In other words, the greater is the number of pins, the higher is the level of protection (particularly against picking). However, it is preferable to specifically seek protection against picking (which prevents break-ins by inserting metal rods or clips). Most of the cylinders in the retail market are 6-pin cylinders.
Nickel silver pin mechanism
The nickel silver alloy steel is hard to drill, and the pattern of the pins on some models (possibly along several axes around the key) makes it difficult if not impossible to reproduce the key in case of theft.
The balls mechanism
When a lock is filled with bearing-type balls, drilling becomes impossible.
The discs mechanism
A locking mechanism can be based on rotating discs. Disc locks offer a high level of security and are used to assure high levels of protection.
The mechanism comprising an axial pump with a cylindrical system
The key insert usually has a cylindrical shape with a profile in the form of 5- or 7-point star, as seen from the front, more commonly called “teeth”. These teeth are cut to different depths which defines the key combination. The rotor of the cylinder is equipped with pins, also known as pumps or sequins, of same size and pushed by springs. In addition, 2 ‘collars’ placed at either side of the rotor prevent turning the rotor in the stator of the cylinder when the key is not inserted. When the key is inserted, the pump goes into the rotor, compressing the spring. When reaching stoppers, the notches of each pump become aligned to collars, thus creating a passage that allows the rotation of the rotor. In order to enhance security in terms of lock picking, pumps can be equipped with shoulders and false notches. At the same time, the pump mechanism has good resistance to salt.
The mechanism comprising an axial pump with a tubular system
The main differences between this mechanism and the mechanism of an axial pump with a cylindrical system are in the key, the rotor, and the pumps. The key insert has the form of a tube, it has no teeth, just milling on the flange of the tube at different depths – 6, 8, 10 or 12 in number. The pins or pumps have variable length providing for different combinations, and, as in a conventional piston system, there are driver pins as well as springs. The rotor, unlike the previously discussed mechanism, usually consists of two parts, the front part before near the key entry, the one that starts turning when the key is inserted, and the rear part attached to the stator. The front rotor is represented by the male part of the key tube, its shape can be round, with one or more ergots of a hexagonal or octagonal pattern allowing to create multiple key profiles. When the key is inserted, the pumps and driver pins are pushed, the springs compressed, and rotation of the mechanism becomes possible due to the alignment of pumps with respect to the jointing plane between the front rotor and the rear rotor.
Selecting a cylinder according to the key is one of the essential criteria in the choice of your cylinder. There are different types of key based on the selected security level:
Standard key
Standard keys are also called reproducible keys because they can be straightforwardly and easily duplicated from a blank, that is by simply providing your key specimen. Reproduction can be performed by any locksmith and does not require special machinery. As a blank of this type of key is publicly available, the reproduction of the key would only require standard tools and, contrary to high security keys which require a specific tool provided by the manufacturer and a more complex mechanism guaranteeing a high level of security.
Paracentric key Paracentric keys are flat keys serrated at the lower edge and at some side points on the edge of the key to enhance protection against picking. Paracentric keys can be reproduced by a locksmith or by a key copying shops but many models are patented, such as the Adriatic model by Thirard.
Reversible key Unlike most of the keys that can only be inserted in one single orientation, the reversible key can be inserted either way. In other words, the insertion into the lock’s keyhole of a reversible key can be done with the key facing either side.
Pump key There are but few publicly accessible reproduction blanks which means an enhanced level of security. Pump keys are equipped with fins for driving the lock opening mechanism by a pushing movement followed by a turn. Axial pumps can be equipped with false notches ensuring high resistance to break-in by picking or an assembly of radial pistons and driver pins for radial protection: the pins are placed in a circular pattern. Less efforts are required to insert a key if pumps are horizontal,. An available key anti-ejection system adds great comfort of use.
Owner’s card This feature requires you to bring your code card to the manufacturer, together with the requirement to provide proof of identity. The owner’s card is a controlled reproduction card provided at the time of purchase of your cylinder, and only the manufacturer can make a copy of your keys.
Modifiable combination function
Provides an ability to change the combination which allows to reset the cylinder opening mechanism: in the case of losing a key from the first set of keys, one can insert a second set key in the cylinder, and by doing so the keys of the first set will become unusable.
Emergency function (resettable cylinder)
Even if the key is inserted in the cylinder from the inside of the house, the door can be opened from the outside with a second key.
Master key (the key group system)
Ability to open several doors with a single key. The concept of a master key is to allow to operate various cylinders with the same key. Cylinders are manufactured at the factory as a group or a batch that opens with the same key, and therefore having the same combination. These cylinders have a combination that can be also compatible with some models of latches or padlocks manufactured with the same combination. You will use a single key for all secured access points. The master key is increasingly popular with households due to its practicality. Master keys are often used to control access in offices, administrations, schools, transport hubs and airports… (For more information, see our tips page: One key that opens all).
Role-based access system
Doors can be opened with the same key even if the cylinders have different combinations. Any other keys will only be able to open some of the doors or just one door. These role-based access elements allow to apportion the access permissions within a building based on the type of key that each user has. In this case, we use the concept of general pass and partial pass. Role-based access systems allow to structure different access permissions to a site taking into account different routes of persons within the site, as well as their access permissions and refusals: Co-owned properties, hotels, business offices, public structures such as cities, hospitals or schools and industrial parks where several parties are engaged in different services…
Example:
* The general pass: a small group of people (management, security) has a key to open all doors
* A level 01 partial pass: groups of people (managers, secretarial personnel, etc) will be able to open multiple access points but not all.
* A level 02 partial pass: certain persons (cleaning service…) have just a key that allows them to open only one door.
To understand how this works, you should know that the cylinder consists of two main parts, namely, the stator – the body of the cylinder – and the rotor – a piece that rotates in the former. There are drilled wells in the stator that accommodate pins. These pins have different heights and are arranged under driver pins fitted with springs. During the insertion of the key into the rotor, the matching heights of pins and the notches or holes on the key result in alignment which allows the rotation of the rotor in the body of the cylinder. The latter through a driver operates the cam and drives the bolt of the lock
Other versions
Adjustable cam
The cam is attached to the rotor of the cylinder to drive the latching bolt in the lock’s box. An adjustable cam allows to operate the mechanism in 2 directions and is used in retail store locks (for example, with electrical locking by turning to the left and electric unlocking by turning to the right)
A sprocket wheel cam (Driving pinions)
The dents that allow to turn the key (a sprocket which allows the opening by gears)
A different type of a key
Triangular key This easily manageable key is typically used by fire-fighters (fire escapes…), in elevators (lifts) and by some administrations (access to plant rooms…)) * Internal triangle: A key hole of a triangular shape which serves as a lock. A plain key of a triangular shape fits the external triangle to allow locking and unlocking. * External triangle: a boss of a triangular shape which serves as an extension of the rotor. A triangular shape key fits the external triangle to allow locking and unlocking.
Electronic key Electronic keys allow the locking and unlocking by simple presentation of the key. Internally, the mechanism is electronically triggered by a microprocessor which is responsible for the security of your lock mechanism. Electronic keys consist of two components: a device to drive the cylinder’s mechanical locking function, and an electronic chip that unlocks the cylinder of the lock.
Code card If a key has a card code, the reproduction of the key requires the code inscribed on the reproduction card that will be controlled. The reproduction of your keys can be performed only based on the provided code and not from another key, therefore the security level of your padlock is increased, but you should retain your reproduction card in a safe place. Duplicating a key based on the code card requires special machinery supplied by the manufacturer for the reproduction of the keys.
Magnetic key Magnetic keys differ from other types of keys in that they operate a “magnetic system” rather than a mechanical system, consisting of a series of positive and negative magnets that need to be aligned in order to unlock the rotor of the cylinder.
