Last Updated: October 29, 2026
Quick Summary
An electronic door lock is a powered latch or magnet that secures a door, and the right choice depends on the door and the building’s safety needs. Magnetic locks use an electromagnet to clamp the door, suiting glass and high-traffic entries, while electric strikes release the existing latch and suit retrofits. Check the fail mode and fire door rules before buying.
- Magnetic locks have no moving parts and suit glass, frameless and heavy-traffic doors.
- Electric strikes work with existing latch hardware, so they suit retrofit jobs.
- Magnetic locks are generally fail-safe, releasing when power is lost.
- Electric strikes can be wired fail-safe or fail-secure, so wiring sets the behaviour.
- Any lock on a fire-rated door must comply with AS 1905.1.
Table of Contents
- Electronic Door Lock vs Magnetic Lock: The Core Difference
- How Magnetic Locks Work and Where They Excel
- How Electronic Strike Locks Work and Where They Excel
- Comparison Table: Electronic Door Lock vs Magnetic Lock
- Fail-Safe vs Fail-Secure Locks: What Changes on Power Loss
- Fire Door Compliance Under AS 1905.1
- Choosing the Right Lock and Commercial Access Control in Moreton Bay
- Frequently Asked Questions
Electronic Door Lock vs Magnetic Lock: The Core Difference
An electronic door lock vs magnetic lock decision comes down to how each device holds a door shut and how it behaves when power fails. Both are common on commercial premises, but they are not interchangeable. The right pick depends on your building, your traffic and your fire safety obligations.
A magnetic lock uses an electromagnet to clamp the door frame and door tightly. An electronic strike is a powered latch fitted into the frame that releases a bolt or latch when energised. The practical difference is that a magnetic lock holds the door, while an electric strike holds the latch.
Here is the short version. Magnetic locks are simple, have no moving parts and suit heavy foot traffic. Electric strikes work with standard latch hardware and are often easier to fit into existing doors. The sections below explain each option, then compare them directly.
How Magnetic Locks Work and Where They Excel
A magnetic lock is an electromagnet mounted on the frame and an armature plate fixed to the door. When powered, the magnet holds the plate and keeps the door closed. Cutting the power releases the door immediately.
The main advantage is simplicity. With no moving parts, there is little mechanical wear, which is why maglocks are favoured for busy entries.
Magnetic locks suit glass doors, frameless doors and high-traffic commercial entries where a clean look and steady performance matter. They are inherently fail-safe, releasing when power is lost, which helps with emergency egress.
Watch out: a magnetic lock on a door that is not fitted and aligned properly can fail to seal or release smoothly. Have the armature and bracket set up by a qualified installer.
How Electronic Strike Locks Work and Where They Excel
An electronic strike replaces the standard strike plate in the door frame. When energised, it releases the latch or bolt so the door opens. It works with a conventional latch, so the door keeps its usual hardware.
Electric strikes are a strong choice where you want to keep existing locksets.
Electric strikes suit retrofit jobs and doors that need to work alongside mechanical locksets, keypads or card readers. Their main limitation is that the strike must match the frame and latch, so the fit needs checking before purchase.
Comparison Table: Electronic Door Lock vs Magnetic Lock
| Feature | Magnetic Lock | Electric Strike |
|---|---|---|
| How it holds the door | Electromagnet clamps door | Powered strike releases latch |
| Moving parts | None | Latch mechanism |
| Typical holding force | Up to about 1,200 lbs (544 kg) | Up to about 1,500 lbs (680 kg) |
| Fail behaviour | Releases on power loss | Depends on wiring (fail-safe or fail-secure) |
| Best suited to | Glass and frameless doors, heavy traffic | Retrofits, existing latch hardware |
| Installation | Requires precise armature alignment | Requires matching frame and latch |
Pricing depends on the hardware, the door and the scope of work, so contact Morayfield Locksmiths for a written quote for your specific building.
Fail-Safe vs Fail-Secure Locks: What Changes on Power Loss
Fail-safe and fail-secure describe what a lock does when power is cut. A fail-safe lock releases, which helps occupants leave during an emergency. A fail-secure lock stays locked, which suits areas that must remain restricted.
Magnetic locks are generally fail-safe, releasing on power loss, which is relevant to emergency exit needs. Electric strikes can be wired either way, so the wiring determines the behaviour. Check the fail mode against your building’s emergency and security requirements before installation.
This matters most for egress doors. A door that stays locked during a fire is a serious hazard, so the fail mode should be confirmed with the installer and, where needed, the building certifier.
Fire Door Compliance Under AS 1905.1
Any lock on a fire-rated door must comply with AS 1905.1, the Australian Standard for fire doors. Fitting a lock that interferes with a fire door’s function can create a compliance problem, even if the lock itself works well.
Magnetic and electric locks both need to be assessed against the fire door’s rating and the building’s egress requirements. The specific obligations depend on your building class and approvals, so confirm them with your building certifier or a fire safety engineer before work starts.
Choosing the Right Lock and Commercial Access Control in Moreton Bay
For most commercial doors, the choice is practical. Choose a magnetic lock for glass or frameless doors, high-traffic entries and where you want minimal moving parts. Choose an electric strike when you need to keep existing latch hardware or add a keypad or card reader to a standard door.
Before buying, work through these points:
- Confirm the door type, material and frame condition
- Check the fail mode against emergency egress and security needs
- Confirm the fire door rating and any AS 1905.1 obligations
- Decide whether the lock will connect to a wider access control system
- Get a written quote that covers hardware, installation and any wiring
If you run a mix of old locks and newer electronic hardware, make sure the new lock will work with your existing system. Integration problems are often what turn a simple upgrade into an expensive headache.
For a wider setup covering access control, you can read our Commercial Access Control System Guide for 2026 to see how locks fit into a complete system.
Morayfield Locksmiths has served the region since 1994. Call us to talk through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a fail-safe and fail-secure lock in Australia?
A fail-safe lock unlocks when power is lost, which suits exit doors that must open freely in an emergency. A fail-secure lock stays locked when power fails, which suits doors that must stay controlled. Magnetic locks are typically fail-safe, while many electric strikes are fail-secure, though the exact behaviour depends on how the hardware is wired. Choose the mode based on the building’s egress requirements and the door’s role in the access plan, and have a licensed installer confirm the wiring before commissioning.
Are magnetic locks compliant with Australian fire safety standards?
Magnetic locks can be used on fire-rated doors only when the complete door assembly, including the lock, latch and hardware, meets the fire-resistance and egress requirements that apply under AS 1905.1 and the National Construction Code. The lock must release on power loss or on a fire alarm signal where required. Confirm the product’s suitability with the building certifier or fire engineer before installation, as compliance depends on the specific door and building class.
Which door lock is better for high-traffic commercial buildings in Queensland?
High-traffic commercial doors benefit from locks with few moving parts, because wear is the main cause of failure over long daily use. Magnetic locks suit this because they have no mechanical latch to wear out, and they are commonly used on glass doors and main entries. Electronic strike locks suit doors that need a physical latch and a higher level of control. The right choice depends on door type, fire rating and access requirements, so an on-site assessment is the most reliable way to decide.
Do I need a professional locksmith to install electronic door locks in Caboolture?
Yes, professional installation is strongly recommended. Electronic and magnetic locks involve mains or low-voltage wiring, correct alignment with the door frame, and integration with access control or fire alarm systems. Incorrect fitting can stop the door from releasing in an emergency or leave the building insecure. A locksmith can assess the door, select the correct holding force and fail mode, and document the installation. Pricing depends on the door type, number of openings and system requirements, so contact Morayfield Locksmiths for a quote.
