Depends on the force of the magnet. You can get multi-thousand-pound force units. It's surprising that something so small, with so (relatively) little current, could be that powerful, but it's true. The little one on Ebay that I linked earlier would probably be defeated with a good shoulder and the right leverage, but you'd probably break the door frame before opening the magnet on the bigger units. That is, of course, assuming that it's mounted properly. If the two parts aren't mounted perfectly flush, you won't have the force. As far as your situation is concerned - I'm surprised that could happen. >From what I've seen, building code requires a physical power disconnect button on maglocks - you hit the button and it physically breaks the power so that it has to open - since it's a severe hazard if people get trapped. On Wed, Feb 18, 2009 at 2:09 PM, Tamas Rudnai wrote: > On Wed, Feb 18, 2009 at 8:32 PM, Thomas Coyle wrote: > > > I've done both solenoid locks (such as car door locks) and maglocks for > > racks previously in a high-security environment. The maglocks are more > > expensive but cleaner and last forever (no moving parts). > > > > It's bit off, but just happened yesterday that the openig system failed on > the entrance door in the building of my apartment. Practically noone could > go in or out of te building. After an hour or so the management company > still failed to show up and as it was in a busy hours there were like 15-20 > people waiting to either enter or leave... so one of the magnet had been > removed by someone leaving only one remaining magnet lock. The door was > openable by just a quick and strong force with one hand. > > What I was wondering how secure is such a system with two magnets > functioning properly? One magnet by one hand, two magnets by two? Or is > there something else that I missed? > > Thanks, > Tamas > > > -- > Rudonix DoubleSaver > http://www.rudonix.com > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist