Magnetic Strip Locks

Magnetic strip locks operate with plastic keycards identical in size to a credit card or driver’s license. They are popular in areas where different users must be accommodated without having to change the lock each time, such as in hotels or small businesses.

When using a magnetic strip lock, the plastic card is inserted into a card reader, and the card’s magnetic strip runs over a sensor that reads the contents of the strip. The strip’s contents are compared with those stored locally in the lock or the contents in a central system, which can be contacted via hardwired connections or various radio wave frequencies. As an extra layer of security, some magnetic strip locks include a traditional key to be used in the event of a power loss.