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What our experts say …

With security awareness running at high levels in recent times, many small businesses and community facilities such as schools and local authorities are looking for simple but effective access control systems to safeguard their property and possessions from interlopers.

Codelocks Ltd is an established UK design and manufacturing company offering a range of stand alone, mechanical coded access locks, and its latest model, the Codelocks 5000, should appeal to those in the market for a sturdy and impressive lock to keep unauthorised visitors at bay.

The 5000 is a battery-operated coded access device, engineered to produce a secure integrated stand alone security lock, giving one-way controlled access for up to 90 different user codes.

A traditional cylinder key override is included in the event of electronic failure. The device is available directly from the manufacturer or normal distributors dealing in physical security, with a standard two year warranty.

The outer lock case and structural back plates are of an extremely sturdy construction. The entire device is made from 2mm PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition – a thin film molecular surface treatment to toughen and improve the life expectancy of a variety of materials) coated stainless steel and has a very professional, weighty feel to it. Polished brass and black chrome finishes are also available.

Each of the front and rear back plates are similarly strong in 2mm zinc alloy, and together with the through bolts and cable guard, the entire kit provides great strength and security. The operating keypad buttons are made from steel too, and though an IP figure was not supplied, the product is said by the manufacturer to be weather resistant.

The operating handles are secured to the lock case by a concealed grub screw on the ‘blind’ underside of each handle, using the supplied Allen key. This design usefully allows the same product to be installed to either left or right hand opening doors. A larger supplied Allen key is used to fix the lock case front and rear halves together, providing a good level of security against casual tampering and vandalism.

Our supplied sample was provided with a tubular mortise latch lock with a 60mm ‘back set’, and a steel strike plate to engage with the mortise latch bolt.

Everything necessary for installation is provided within the sturdy packaging, including all fixing screws, Allen keys, fitting template and four 1.5v AA type batteries. The batteries are accessed from the non-controlled side lock case using a single Allen key bolt, and it is probably safe to say that most customers will be able to do this themselves.

The batteries are said by the manufacturer to last for 500,000 operations before replacement becomes necessary. Two keys were supplied with the product to be used in the event of equipment failure.

Installation
The first thing you notice is the weight. This is a heavy piece of kit. The 5000 is certainly built for repetitive commercial use and we get the feeling that the design brief was tilted in favour of strength and security rather than aesthetic appeal.

The 5000 model comes with a 60mm tubular mortise latch lock that is relatively easy to fit using only a 25mm flat drill bit to a depth of 85mm.

The 60mm back set is the standard dimension for most night latch type locking devices. This is the distance from the leading edge of the door to the centre of the revolving spindle, and is common to most similar-style latch locking devices, thus providing a relatively easy upgrade from a standard key operated lock to a digital type.

Whilst it is true to say the entire installation only requires seven holes to be drilled through the door to accommodate the through bolts, spindle and metal wire guard, this work must be carried out accurately to allow for a secure tight fit with the correct level of spindle and handle movement.

In common with other manufacturers of similar locking devices, Codelocks Ltd has provided a paper template to be held in situ to illustrate the drilling positions. Rubber gaskets are provided to cushion the fitting of each back plate to the door surface, and the fixing-through bolts can accommodate a door thickness from 35 to 60mm.

Some precision is required during installation of the strike plate in order to properly align the latch bolt without hindering the operation of the plunger – the separate sliding bolt that prevents lock manipulation or ‘shimming’ – whilst simultaneously allowing the correct amount of play when the door is closed.

Fitting the Codelocks 5000 to a wooden door within a wooden door frame should be within the capability of any competent (and confident) security engineer. The instructions are clear and concise, and relatively few tools are required.

Operation
The set-up worked perfectly on the bench, though there might be a small problem for users more familiar with the ‘buzzing’ AC coil used in a traditional electric release, because the Codelocks 5000 is silent in operation.

This would be more apparent when callers announce themselves at the door and are allowed access remotely using the optional hard-wired input.

However, the blue and red LEDs give information of code validity during normal use, and it is difficult to imagine anyone not being able to make sense of the keypad for the first time.

Programming functions are limited but sufficient for that expected of a stand alone system – they include lock open duration, replace master code, and delete all user codes, as well as adding/removing user codes.

Up to 90 user codes can be entered into the system via the on-board keypad, and they can be either four, five or six digits long.

There are two LEDs – blue and red –and an internal piezo sounder to give visual and audible announcements of correct programming and user operation.

Separate instruction booklets are provided for installation and programming/operating.

The latter, strictly speaking, is an installer’s manual, but could probably be left with most customers for programming codes as and when required. It does assume an understanding of some technical terms, but is written with sufficient clarity for most users to make sense of the relevant information.

It has colour pictures and gives some expla-nations of the jargon used in the programming section.

Both manuals are well written in good English, and include contact details to reach Codelocks Ltd by telephone, fax or email. The website and mail addresses are also included.

We called the dedicated 0800 helpline number with a selection of stupid and not so stupid technical enquiries – all were dealt with promptly and politely by the first person to answer the call.

It should be noted that there are virtually no manufacturers providing free telephone help at this time, so Codelocks Ltd is duly commended for this service.

What the manufacturer says ...

The Codelocks 5000 electronic is designed and engineered in the UK. It uses a Piezo actuator for the first time in a stand-alone electronic lock, and provides a much longer battery life of over 500,000 operations – approximately ten times more than a typical electronic push button lock.

This innovative new use of the technology in the clutch mechanism overcomes the previous battery life limitations in stand-alone electronic touch button locks.

The technology is already used in devices such as circuit breakers, where low power consumption, accuracy, repeatability and reliability are critical, and the same benefits are now present in stand-alone electronic access control.

Traditionally, electronic push button locks would either incorporate a solenoid or motor to engage the lock, requiring much higher levels of power.

The new Piezo latch mechanism in the Codelocks 5000 electronic requires sixty six times less power than a solenoid driven clutch mechanism.

To achieve this sort of reliability and repeatability would normally require mains power linked to the lock, adding extra installation costs to a project.

The Codelocks 5000 electronic has the capability to have up to 90 different code users, and has twelve programmes, all driven by a master code via the keypad. These programmes give the lock a wide range of access control options, from installing new user codes, suspending and reinstating single user codes, and suspending all user codes, to activating passage mode or having a one-time user code.

The lock can be activated by a remote release switch, allowing a receptionist to open the door once a hardwired contact has been pressed.

There’s also an emergency mode setting to enable free access, when a connection is made via an alarm system.

Mechanical key override is included as standard.

There are very few moving parts in the Piezo clutch mechanism, making it highly durable, with no noticeable wear after 1.5 million cycles.

This innovative approach to the use of piezo technology, with its low power requirement, will enable us to combine biometric technology with stand alone biometric locks which will not need to be hardwired into the mains and still give acceptable battery life.