Maglock vs Electric Strike: Which Lock for Access Control?
By the DC Fire & Security engineering team — installing and maintaining fire and security systems since 2010. Updated June 2026.
Quick answer
Maglocks are fail-safe electromagnets (power off = door open) that fit almost any door and hold 300–600kg — the default for escape routes and aluminium/glass doors. Electric strikes replace the keep in the frame, work with the existing latch, can be fail-secure (power off = locked), and suit timber doors and traffic where a mechanical latch should still function. Escape rules usually decide for you.
How each lock works
A maglock is an electromagnet on the frame gripping a steel plate on the door — continuous power holds it shut; cutting power (by valid read, exit button, fire alarm or outage) releases instantly. An electric strike replaces the fixed keep the latch closes into: the latch still latches mechanically, but the strike's lip releases electrically to let the door swing open without turning a handle. Strikes come fail-secure (stay locked unpowered — common for security) or fail-safe; maglocks are inherently fail-safe.
Choosing by door and duty
| Factor | Maglock | Electric strike |
|---|---|---|
| Power-loss behaviour | Always unlocks (fail-safe) | Choice: fail-safe or fail-secure |
| Escape route fit | Excellent with break-glass + alarm interface | Use fail-safe variant + compliant exit hardware |
| Door types | Almost anything incl. glass/aluminium | Needs a latch — timber/steel doors |
| Holding force | 300–600kg typical | As strong as latch + frame |
| Looks | Visible block on frame (slim/shear versions exist) | Hidden in the frame |
| Wear parts | None — no moving parts | Mechanical keep wears with heavy traffic |
| Continuous power draw | Yes (holds while powered) | Only when released (fail-secure) |
The compliance point that overrides preference
On escape routes, people must get out without keys, codes or knowledge: that means fail-safe locking released by the fire alarm interface, a green break-glass beside the door, and exit hardware (push bar/pad or request-to-exit) that works every time. Maglocks fit this naturally, which is why they dominate communal and final exit doors. Fail-secure strikes belong on doors that aren't escape routes — server rooms, stock rooms, internal offices — where staying locked through an outage is the desired behaviour. We specify lock type door-by-door during the survey; it's never one answer for a whole building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a maglock be forced open?
Why does my maglock door sometimes not release?
Do strikes or maglocks need maintenance?
What about motorised and solenoid locks?
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