External Locking

Electric locks for external gates need to be weather resistant. They are fitted to :

Electric locking for vehicle gates

Most vehicle gates that are controlled electrically will come with locking specifically designed to work with the gate controller. The most popular type is a Electric Rim Latch.

  • Normally the Gate controller will provide 12V AC to operate the electric lock.. The fitting of this lock is very similar to fitting a Rim Night Latch, in that the lock is fitted to the surface of the gate (normally at the bottom and/or the top).

For the full range of External Rim Locks Click Here

Gate Lock

Electric locking for external Timber Gate & Frame

An external timber gate is treated in the same way as a normal timber door. The only difference is the electric strike (lock release) will be a weather resistant version.

There are basically 4 types of lock that might be fitted (see images below):

  1. Sash Lock
    • These locks are not normally fitted outside. There is not weather resistant lock release to suit, but if the frame is timber, there might be enough weather protection if the location is sheltered.
    • Sash locks are a combination of Mortise Latch and Mortise Deadlock. The latch part is operated by a handle and the deadbolt part operated by a key.
    • The normal method of using a lock release (electric strike) with these locks is to release the latch part, and remove the handle on the outside of the gate.
    • Great care should be taken to make sure the gap between the latch and the deadbolt on your lock is suitable for the sash lock release you choose.
    • See the range of sash lock release here. Note that some lock release come without the sash front plate, which should be added to make the complete lock release.
  2. Rim Latch
    • These locks are not ideal for external use because the lock itself would be exposed to the weather. Therefore there are no proper lock releases to suit. If you must fit a lock release, see the Rim Night Latch guide, but be aware about the lack of weather resistance.
  3. Mortise Latch
    • There are a wide range of mortise latch releases (electric strikes). If the frame as well as the gate is timer, then lock release should be reasonably well protected from the weather. In which case most mortise elctric strikes (lock releases) are suitable.
    • If the lock release is likeley to be exposed to the weather to some degree, then use Trimec ES110 series strikes as they are all weather resistant.
  4. Mortise Deadlock
    • You may come up against a mortise deadlock outside in a timber door and frame. Electrically releasing this type of lock is not usually recommended, especially externally.
    • There is no suitable lock release for external use.
    • You should change the lock to a latch mortise type.
    • If you must keep this lock in place, you could use PGS range, but they are not weather resistant.

Electric locking for external Metal Gate & Frame

An external metal gate and frame is treated in a similar manner to the timber gate and frame above. The obvious difference is the material is hollow and will therefore require a bracket arrangement to enable fitting of any lock / lock release that is to me mortised in.

  1. Sash Lock. See above.
  2. Rim Latch. See above
  3. Mortise Latch
    • Locks suitable for aluminium doors and frames are also suitable for other metal gates and frames. You must check the dimensions of the section of the gate and of the frame.
    • Aluminium frames are generally 100 x 45 mm box section and the door stiles (the fron edge section of the door) are generally 45 mm thick x 50mm deep
    • See locking for aluminium doors for more in depth information
  4. Mortise Deadlock. See above