Weather Resistant Electronic Locks

It rains a lot in Vancouver. Our winters are fairly mild, but it rains a lot in Vancouver and we’re right by the Pacific Ocean. As such, anything made of metal tends to rust quickly in the Pacific NorthWest. Mechanical locks made to resist the elements is another topic. However, with the continuing popularity of electronic access control devices, this article will discuss electronic locks purposely made to resist rain, snow, and the outside world.

This article will be of interest to home owners and building managers who wish to install electronic locks or an access control system on either exposed perimeter doors and/or exterior gates.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please call/text me at 604-363-2760 or email me at alex@locksmithvancouver.com. For in-person visits, our Downtown Vancouver Key Store is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm. We provide Mobile Locksmith Services everyday from 8am to 11:30pm. Finally, just a reminder that our Port Coquitlam location is not open to the public.

Practical Applications of Weather Proof Locks

When it comes to building or home security, there are several situations where you may wish to install a weather proof electronic lock system whether it is standalone or tied into a larger access control system. For example:

• Outside Pool Access Gate
• Front Yard or Back Yard Gates
• Exposed Perimeter Doors
• Parking Lot and Parkade Access Gates
• Marine Vessels & Dock Facilities
• Etc

These gates and/or doors require electronic components that can withstand the rain and other foul weather elements. Standard electronic locks not designed to be weather proof will break down quickly and it’s not uncommon for such locks to fail within the first year of use.

This is because most non-weather locks were not designed to keep electronic components such as batteries and circuit boards safe from water or fine particle intrusion. If your cell phone gets too wet, it may short circuit and become non-functional. Pretty much the same concept.

Keeping Out The Elements

So how do manufacturers weather proof certain electronic lock models and what are the downsides? The upside is fairly obvious in that your lock won’t die after it rains or snows.

Essentially, the power supply and electronic circuits of these locks are encased in rubberized coatings or wrapped in layers of plastic or other impermeable solutions. Even if water does enter the lock, the sensitive electronics are protected from damage.

In addition, power connectors and battery terminals are covered in dielectric grease to keep the moisture out and prevent rust. Battery packs are usually encased in a waterproof container. Finally, there is usually a rubber gasket between the back of the lock and the door to ensure the best seal possible to keep out the rain and snow.

For components that are exposed to the elements at all times like the exterior lock casing and handles, these models use more expensive corrosion resistant alloys like brass, aluminum, and stainless steel. Latch mechanisms and moving parts are usually covered with heavy duty grease like white lithium or similar to keep the outside world out. 

Overall, weather proof electronic locks are simply better built and designed than their interior-only cousins. However, there are some definite disadvantages or problems to consider.

Problem #1: Higher Initial Cost to Purchase

We should start with the most prominent issue of them all – the higher purchase price. The weatherproof versions or models of electronic locks cost significantly more than their non-weatherized counterparts.

Many of our clients are surprised by just how much more it can cost. In addition, products that bear the UL Outdoors label can cost even more as the device has been tested and certified for use outdoors by the Underwriter’s Laboratory. 

On the plus side, some weather proofs are so much more popular than their standard counterparts that the company has discontinued the non-weatherized version. This makes it easier to ensure that the part you need is always in stock. Unfortunately, they have not dropped the prices so it still costs the same, if not more.

Problem #2: Limited Product Selection

Most lock companies do not offer a IP68 rated device as most customers do not have a door that is exposed to the weather all the time. Even perimeter doors usually have some sort of overhang to shield the device from the elements.

Due to their limited uses, there are not many choices for weather proof lock hardware. In fact, there is pretty much only one or two choices per category. 

This also means that device colours and finishes are limited as well. It’s almost always commercially popular colours like Satin Chrome or Polished Brass. However, I’ve seen matte black weather proof locks for use in high-end residential gates and other commercial applications where aesthetics are important.

We will later discuss the most popular device per category in this article.

Problem #3: Trading Security for Weather Resistance

It’s not easy to weather proof an electronic device to withstand the elements and vast temperature differences. So there is usually a trade off where the manufacturers need to sacrifice something to gain something else.

In this case, some weather resistance locks are rated for less abuse (or security level) compared to their indoor only counterpart. For example, Trine’s EN400 electric strike for Outdoor Use is rated for 2000 lb ft of force while the tried-and-true HES 1006 is rated for 3000 lb ft of force. Fortunately, the HES 1006 is also weather rated albeit at a higher cost.

So theoretically, it would be easier for a perpetrator to kick open a door with a Trine EN400 vs a HES 1006 electric strike. While this is not the case for all devices, the manufacturer’s literature suggests that we do sacrifice some security but gain a weatherized lock that won’t fail in the rain.

Products to Consider

This section will introduce readers to the most popular weather proof electronic lock per category. While we have not conducted a comprehensive survey or study. It is based on our years of experience in the Vancouver area. Product offerings may differ in your city and climate.

Weather Proof Electronic Lever – Trilogy DL2700WP

The Trilogy DL2700WP from AlarmLock sets the standard for all other weather proof electronic levers. It is robust and features an all metal casing and keypad. Plus, it can be upgraded with modules like remote button access for buzz-in entry.

The electronic components are encased to prevent short circuits from water and dust. The battery pack is encased in a waterproof plastic enclosure with taped seams. The power connector should be coated with the supplied dielectric grease. 

The best part about the Trilogy DL2700WP is that the weatherproof version is now just the standard model. I guess the non-weather proof just did not sell enough.

On top of that, the DL2700WP is backwards compatible with the Unican 1000 series. The Unican is the original mechanical spring-loaded push button for gates and exterior use. You probably have seen them somewhere in Vancouver on commercial buildings and government applications.

The Trilogy DL2700WP was designed to be a perfect match to the old Unican 1000 door template. So clients looking to upgrade to the 21st century can simply take out the Unican and replace it with the DL2700WP without any extra work door prep.

The only downside I’ve noticed about this model is that the keypad is designed to angle upwards toward the user. While one can argue this is for ease-of-use, it also means that snow and ice can more easily accumulate on the keypad surface.

During a particularly cold snowstorm a few years ago, a client complained that the keypad’s metal keys had frozen solid. As such, I recommend clients with this top tier electronic lever to keep a bottle of de-icer handy during the winter months or carry the manual override key with you just in case.

 

Weather Proof Electric Strike for Cylindrical Locks – HES 1006

The HES 1006 is a top tier electric strike designed for use both indoors and outdoors. It’s widely considered the toughest electric strike in the market and takes a lot of abuse by would-be trespassers and also normal day-to-day use.

 

Combined with a SmartPac3 voltage regulator, it comes with an industry leading 10 year no fault warranty. It’s great for both indoor and outdoor use with its UL 1034 rating.

The only downside is that 1) this is a very large electric strike with a prominent lip; and, 2) it is very expensive. This electric strike was already expensive before recent price increases from both inflation and tariffs. Now, it is even more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

For example, one of my clients had a steel door with a cheaper RCI electric strike that was constantly getting broken into. The criminals were not sophisticated. They just kicked the door open as the cheaper RCI electric strikes are rated for 1500 lbs ft vs the 3000 lbs ft for the HES 1006.

Once we made the switch, the thieves were effectively thwarted and were seen limping off on CCTV footage after hurting themselves trying. The HES 1006 is a beast of an electric strike. It’s probably one of the best electric strikes you can buy and is priced accordingly.

 

Weather Proof Electric Strike for Push Bars – HES 9600

Depending on your building occupancy, the Fire Department may mandate the use of a push bar/fire exit device. The difference between a standard push bar and a fire exit device is that the former can be left in the unlocked position by depressing the bar and turning the allen key. A fire exit device cannot and should not be left unlocked as positive latching is required for fire safety.

In that case, the HES 1006 will not work. You will need the HES 9600 which is a Rim Cylinder Electric Strike designed to be surface mounted on the frame. Like the HES 1006, this is a Heavy Duty Grade 1 Device with the UL 1034 rating for outdoor use.

It is surface mounted and fairly easy to install. It can be challenging to install on a gate if the gate frame is not wide enough.

 

Weather Proof Magnetic Lock – Securitron M82

Securitron is a sub-brand under the Assa Abloy Umbrella that specializes in Maglocks. Maglocks are uniquely suitable for outdoor use as they have little to no moving parts that can rust or fail. 

These devices simply rely on the principle of induction to generate a magnetic field via a DC current. Without any moving parts, there should be less failure points.

However, Maglocks are not that popular anymore in Vancouver and most new buildings require permission from the City and the Fire Department to install one. From a fire safety perspective, Maglocks are on a Normally Closed (NC) circuit. This means that power needs to be constantly supplied to the device to keep it locked. A power failure or a fire alarm will trigger the fire panel to break the circuit and leave the doors unlocked.

So if you have a power failure, your doors could be left unsecured. Even a backup battery would eventually be drained. This would also potentially allow people to enter a building that’s on fire and pose a fire hazard.

Beside that, a maglock like the Securittron M82 can be an excellent weatherized device to survive the elements. There will eventually be some surface rust but not enough to hinder operations. 

I have a client with a maglocked pedestrian access gate that has lasted decades so far without any major problems.

 

Weather Proof Electronic Padlock – Abloy Protec2 CLIQ

This last product does not have an electronic motor, but it utilizes the CLIQ key system. The CLIQ system is non-brand specific technology under the Assa Abloy umbrella and can be found in all their high security brands like Medeco, Mult-T-Lock, and Abloy Protec2. 

Users use a key embedded with a microchip not unlike a car key. The chip data is read by a small electronic sensor at the face of the key cylinder hole. If the key has valid credentials, it allows the normal Protec2 cylinder to be turned.

The CLIQ system basically adds another layer of security on top of the superb mechanical security of the Protec2 system. The downside is that the system is ridiculously expensive to set up and maintain.

For example, a CLIQ key retails for ~$250 to ~$300 per key. In addition, you will need the CLIQ encoders, readers, and the software. Plus, you will probably need a full-time Vancouver downtown locksmith on staff to maintain the system which means only large institutions like the Government of Canada would invest in something like this.

However, if you have money to burn and want the combination of a high security lock with an added electronic layer of security, the CLIQ system might be the right fit for you.

 

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the pros and cons of weather proof electronic lock devices and the most popular examples per category. These examples are based on our years of experience as a Professional Vancouver Locksmith.

If you have any questions or comments, please call/text me at 604-363-2760 or email me at alex@locksmithvancouver.com. Our Downtown Vancouver Key Store located at 555 West Hastings St is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm. Our Port Coquitlam location is not open to the public. Finally, we offer mobile locksmith services everyday 8am to 11:30pm.