I have a large metal gate with a CDVI ES500 Maglock on it which was replaced like-for-like after the old ES500 was damaged. The contact monitoring does not work correctly on this new unit though - the contacts are always closed (indicating the gate is always locked). The wiring is correct, and when demounted, or even moved 5cm away from the metal, the lock works ok. A shim or rubber washer between the lock and gate doesn't help. Has anyone any experience of this? Any ideas how to monitor the status of a metal gate? CDVI technical support say they do not produce any products suitable for mounting on metal frames.
Maglock Contacts on Metal Gate
- Thread starter mikehoskins
- Start date
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Do you mean the sensor that tells whether the lock is energised with power to hold the gate locked shut ?
The data sheet http://www.cdvi.co.uk/downloads/s-series.pdf says it is a Hall effect sensor. This sensor detects how much magnetism is present in the lock and shows "energised" if there is enough magnetic flux to lock the gate.
It is possible this sensor is too sensitive and is showing "energised" on the residual magnetism in the metal work of the gate left after the lock is de-energised.
Another cause may be damage if the polarity applied to the sensor was incorrect and the electronics of the Hall effect device.
The data sheet http://www.cdvi.co.uk/downloads/s-series.pdf says it is a Hall effect sensor. This sensor detects how much magnetism is present in the lock and shows "energised" if there is enough magnetic flux to lock the gate.
It is possible this sensor is too sensitive and is showing "energised" on the residual magnetism in the metal work of the gate left after the lock is de-energised.
Another cause may be damage if the polarity applied to the sensor was incorrect and the electronics of the Hall effect device.
Usually, the problem is the other way round! It shows "unlocked" when it isn't. I think that this lock has a cable coming out of it and no LED to indicate status - is that right? If so, use a multimeter to check the monitoring contacts. Take the armature plate off the gate (or use the spare one) and put it on the magnet in the correct position. Then energise the lock and see if the monitoring contact changes state (don't get your fingers trapped between the plate and the magnet! 
) - you might find that it is working "the wrong way round". The contacts are often closed when the lock is open and vica versa. i.e. the "Normally Closed" connection is open when the lock is locked. Also, the installation guide says that you don't need a diode across the lock...
If this doesn't work, and you've made sure that the plate is clean and in intimate contact with the magnet, it sounds like the lock is faulty - send it back for a f.o.c. replacement as an "out of box" failure.
You can use a roller shutter contact to monitor the position of a metal gate - put the magnet on the gate and the contact on the ground or post. This will tell you if the gate is (almost) closed but will not tell you if it is locked. There are also some aluminium-clad door contacts that are suitable for external use. Both have an armoured cable coming out of the contact, so you will need some sort of weather-proof junction box. CQR Aluminium Contact (on ebay)
) - you might find that it is working "the wrong way round". The contacts are often closed when the lock is open and vica versa. i.e. the "Normally Closed" connection is open when the lock is locked. Also, the installation guide says that you don't need a diode across the lock...If this doesn't work, and you've made sure that the plate is clean and in intimate contact with the magnet, it sounds like the lock is faulty - send it back for a f.o.c. replacement as an "out of box" failure.
You can use a roller shutter contact to monitor the position of a metal gate - put the magnet on the gate and the contact on the ground or post. This will tell you if the gate is (almost) closed but will not tell you if it is locked. There are also some aluminium-clad door contacts that are suitable for external use. Both have an armoured cable coming out of the contact, so you will need some sort of weather-proof junction box. CQR Aluminium Contact (on ebay)
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