The profile cylinder lock is a lock which, together with the so-called profile cylinder / locking cylinder, ensures that a door can be locked and unlocked again with a key.
The key needs the right profile (the right teeth) so that the pins in the locking cylinder do not block the rotation of the key. If the key does not have the right teeth, the pins block the attempt to unlock it, so that the profile cylinder lock enables very effective access control. This is an important reason why the profile cylinder lock has become so popular in Germany and can be seen as the standard lock.
All components of the profile cylinder lock must be precisely matched to the design of the house or apartment door so that the door can be securely locked and quickly unlocked again.
PROFILE CYLINDER LOCK AS MORTISE LOCK OR WITH LOCKBOX
The profile cylinder lock is usually a so-called mortise lock that is inserted into a cavity inside the house or apartment door. This cavity inside the door is also called a lock pocket. As an alternative to the lock pocket, there are also locks with a lock case. These are attached to the door from the inside (or more precisely: to the door leaf).
A conventional profile cylinder lock generally consists of a latch (also known colloquially as a snapper) and a bolt. Special locks have several bolts. This is then referred to as multiple locking.
When the door is closed or locked, the latch and bolt move into the holes provided for them in the strike plate.
The profile cylinder lock and the profile cylinder are protected by the door fittings against violent attacks (in the event of a break-in attempt). In this context, it is important to mention that there are a wide variety of fittings and protective fittings made from a wide variety of materials, such as aluminium, steel, stainless steel or brass. Particularly high-quality and secure door fittings feature core pulling protection and drilling protection.
HOW A PROFILE CYLINDER LOCK WORKS
The lock itself usually works with a bolt that can be extended and retracted and thus closes and opens the corresponding door, as well as a so-called latch. The latch itself ensures that a closed door does not open again on its own.
The door latch is connected to the door handle and is retracted as soon as the door handle is pressed or turned, depending on the variant. Since the door handle can normally be operated without a key, the latch cannot be considered to have any significant security aspect.
The situation is different with the bolt, which is used to lock the lock. This can usually only be operated using a key. When the cylinder lock is turned with the key, the bolt is pushed out of the lock and into the hinge attached to the door, or in the opposite direction. There are also higher-quality door models that not only work with a bolt but also have additional locking elements on the top and bottom of the door.
PROFILE CYLINDERS ARE EASY TO REPLACE
The advantage of a cylinder lock is that the cylinder can be changed quite easily by skilled locksmiths. Dismantling is easy and, depending on the cylinder, it is even possible to change the locking code manually without purchasing a new profile cylinder lock. To do this, the pins that are fitted in the cylinder are replaced with the desired size.
