Introduction: I500SR Monitored Surface Maglock and its key features
I500SR Monitored Surface Magnetic Lock — heavy‑duty, outdoor ratedis a purpose‑built electromagnetic lock engineered for demanding external access control applications. With a rated holding force of approximately 500 kg, a high‑grade stainless steel housing and integrated NO/NC monitoring for lock status, the I500SR blends rugged durability with intelligent monitoring and straightforward installation. It operates from 12–24 V DC (≈480 mA typical) and is supplied with the armature plate and a full fixing kit. Designed to withstand harsh environments, the unit is IP68 and IK10 rated, has a wide operating temperature range (−40 °C to +60 °C) and includes a female M20 cable gland for secure external cabling.
Detailed specifications and the benefits they deliver
Understanding the technical details helps clarify why the I500SR is well suited to outdoor and exposed installations. Below is a concise breakdown of the key specifications and how each translates into practical benefits.
- Holding force:500 kg (approx.) — a high holding capacity that secures larger commercial doors, gates and heavy access panels where conventional locks may be insufficient.
- Armature plate:Supplied with fixing kit — simplifies installation and ensures the critical contact surfaces are included and compatible.
- Dimensions (maglock):230 × 61 × 40 mm (H×W×D) approx. — a compact footprint for a heavy‑duty maglock, enabling use on a variety of mounting surfaces.
- Dimensions (armature):185 × 60 × 12 mm approx. — sized to match the maglock for reliable contact and full holding force.
- Voltage:12–24 V DC — flexible power requirements that fit most access control systems and allow integration with existing low‑voltage infrastructure.
- Current:≈480 mA — predictable power draw for system designers to budget and size power supplies and backup systems.
- Monitoring:NO/NC status monitoring (monitored) — provides a supervised signal for integration into alarm systems or access controllers so you know whether the lock is engaged or not.
- Fail state:Fail‑safe (unlocks on power loss) — appropriate where life‑safety or fire egress regulations require doors to release on power failure.
- Operating temperature:−40 °C to +60 °C — suitable for arctic cold or hot summer conditions without loss of performance.
- Ingress protection:IP68 — sealed to protect against prolonged immersion and heavy ingress of dust, making it ideal for exposed or wet locations.
- Impact resistance:IK10 — the highest common rating for impact protection, helping the unit resist vandalism and mechanical abuse.
- Cable outlet:Female M20 cable gland — enables a secure, weatherproof conduit entry for field wiring and helps maintain the IP rating when cabling externally.
Regions and applications may require CE or UKCA marking and other local approvals. Verify compliance with your supplier before installation. The I500SR is sold with a 10‑year warranty (confirm terms and conditions with the distributor) which underscores the manufacturers confidence in durability and long‑term performance.
Use cases and scenarios where the I500SR excels
The I500SR is designed for tough, exposed installations where both holding strength and environmental resilience are critical. Typical use cases include:
- External access doors and gates:Ideal for perimeter gates, pedestrian entry gates and heavy exterior doors where weather, moisture and attempted forced entry are concerns.
- Coastal and industrial sites:Stainless steel construction and IP68 protection make the unit suitable for saline coastal conditions and industrial environments with dust, water spray or corrosive atmospheres.
- Public infrastructure and transportation hubs:Where high impact resistance (IK10) and supervised monitoring are required to maintain security and operational availability.
- Cold‑climate installations:With an operating range down to −40 °C, the maglock can be used in refrigerated facilities, outdoor enclosures and sub‑zero climates without loss of function.
- High‑security doors combined with access control systems:The built‑in NO/NC monitoring allows easy integration into alarm panels and access controllers to provide supervised lock status for audits and alarm triggers.
Installation should be performed by a qualified electrician or experienced access control installer. The product includes the armature plate and fixing kit; compatible mounting brackets (ESL‑500 / ESZ) are available for specialty mounting requirements. Consult the manufacturers datasheet and installation manual for wiring diagrams and anti‑remanence options.
How the I500SR compares with similar products on the market
Electromagnetic locks come in a range of sizes, materials and protection levels. When evaluating the I500SR against alternatives, several distinguishing points emerge:
- Outdoor versus indoor ratings:Many maglocks are designed primarily for indoor use and offer lower IP ratings (IP54 or lower). The I500SRs IP68 rating places it in a smaller group of maglocks genuinely rated for prolonged exposure and immersion, making it a better choice for coastal, marine or heavily exposed external applications.
- Material and corrosion resistance:Some alternatives use anodised aluminium or zinc plated steel. Stainless steel housing on the I500SR offers superior long‑term corrosion resistance in harsh or saline environments.
- Impact protection and vandal resistance:IK10 is a top‑tier rating; many competitor outdoor maglocks may only meet IK08 or similar. For installations where deliberate impact is a risk (public access points, transit stations), IK10 is an advantage.
- Monitoring capability:While some maglocks offer no monitoring contacts, the I500SR includes NO/NC monitored outputs for status supervision—valuable for integration into modern access control systems and alarm panels.
- Fail‑safe vs fail‑secure:The I500SR is fail‑safe (unlocks on power loss). Some applications require fail‑secure (remains locked on power loss) products; choose accordingly based on safety and regulatory requirements. For environments prioritising egress and life safety, fail‑safe is often the mandated option.
- Value and price positioning:With a suggested retail price of 149.99 (and a cost price reference of 120.02), the I500SR aims to deliver heavy‑duty outdoor capabilities at a competitive price point compared to premium stainless and IP68‑rated competitors that may command higher premiums.
Customer feedback and installer insights
Official, aggregated customer reviews were not provided with the product brief. However, feedback commonly reported by installers and end users of comparable heavy‑duty, monitored stainless maglocks includes the following themes:
- Durability:Installers highlight the long service life and minimal maintenance on stainless, IP68‑rated units—fewer callouts for corrosion or moisture‑related failures.
- Reliability of monitoring:Systems with NO/NC monitoring reduce false alarms and simplify fault finding, as technicians can quickly determine if the lock itself or the wiring/controller is at fault.
- Installation considerations:The inclusion of a full fixing kit and M20 gland is appreciated as it reduces the need for aftermarket hardware and makes achieving a weatherproof installation easier.
- Performance in harsh environments:Users in coastal and heavy industrial sites report better longevity compared with generic indoor maglocks.
These representative points reflect typical strengths experienced by users of similarly specified products. Prospective buyers should consult local case studies or request references from distributors for project‑specific feedback.
Conclusion: why choose the I500SR?
The I500SR Monitored Surface Maglock is an excellent option when you need a robust, weatherproof, monitored electromagnetic lock that can handle heavy doors and exposed installations. Its combination of a 500 kg holding force, stainless steel construction, IP68 ingress protection and IK10 impact resistance makes it particularly well suited to coastal, industrial and public‑facing applications. The built‑in NO/NC monitoring contacts allow seamless integration with modern access control and alarm systems, while the fail‑safe operation meets common life‑safety requirements.
At a suggested price of 149.99 and backed by a 10‑year warranty (confirm terms with your supplier), the I500SR offers a compelling balance of performance, protection and value. Ensure installation is performed by qualified personnel and verify compliance with local CE / UKCA and other regional requirements prior to commissioning. For projects that demand dependable outdoor security with supervised monitoring, the I500SR is a strong, pragmatic choice.
