280 kg, 600 lbs or 1200 lbs? How magnetic lock holding force is measured, how the ratings convert, what reduces real-world strength, and how to choose the right EM lock for your door.
How strong is a magnetic door lock? A standard single-door magnetic lock is rated at 280 kg (about 600 lbs) of holding force, and heavy-duty models are rated at 1200 lbs (about 544 kg). The numbers look simple, but kg and lbs ratings get mixed up in listings, and the force you get on a real door depends on how the lock is installed. This guide explains what the ratings mean and how to choose the right EM lock for a door in Dubai.
How Strong Is a Magnetic Door Lock? The Short Answer
An electromagnetic lock (EM lock or maglock) has no bolt. It is an electromagnet fixed to the door frame and a steel armature plate fixed to the door. When power flows through the coil, the plate is pulled tight against the magnet and the door stays shut until the power is cut. Most locks fall into one of two holding-force classes:
- 280 kg / 600 lbs — the standard for most single office, glass and internal doors on access control. All LOKIZ M280 models are in this class.
- 500 kg / 1200 lbs — heavy-duty locks for larger, heavier or higher-risk doors.
So how strong are magnetic door locks in practice? 280 kg is roughly the weight of three or four adults pulling straight on the door, far more than a person can apply by pulling the handle of a well-fitted door. A poor installation is a much more common weak point than the magnet itself.
What Holding Force Means
Holding force is the straight, perpendicular pull needed to separate the armature plate from the energised magnet. It is measured under ideal conditions: the plate flat across the whole magnet face, clean surfaces and the correct supply voltage. Two things it does not tell you:
- It is not a door weight limit. The hinges carry the door's weight; holding force only tells you how hard someone must pull to force the door open.
- It rates the magnet, not the door. A lightweight door can flex, or a weak frame can pull away, before the magnet lets go.
280 kg vs 600 lbs vs 1200 lbs: Converting the Ratings
One kilogram is about 2.2046 pounds, so:
- 280 kg ≈ 617 lbs. Rounded down, that is why 280 kg locks are sold as "600 lbs" locks. An electromagnetic lock listed as 280 kg and a 600 lbs EM lock are the same class, not two different strengths.
- 600 lbs ≈ 272 kg, which falls in the same 280 kg class.
- 1200 lbs ≈ 544 kg. These are often called the 500 kg class and offer roughly twice the holding force of a 280 kg lock.
| Lock class | Holding force (kg) | Holding force (lbs) | Typical doors | LOKIZ options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard single door | 280 kg | 600 lbs (≈617 lbs) | Single office, glass, wooden and metal doors on access control | LK-M280, LK-M280-5T, LK-M280-7T |
| Standard double door | 280 kg per leaf | 600 lbs per leaf | Double doors to offices, meeting rooms and lobbies | LK-M280D-5T |
| Heavy duty | ≈544 kg (500 kg class) | 1200 lbs | Heavier main entrance doors, larger metal doors, higher-security rooms | Ask us about higher-rated options |
Why Real-World Holding Force Is Lower Than the Rating
A 600 lbs rating is what the lock achieves on a test rig. On a real door, these factors reduce it:
- Misalignment. The armature plate must meet the magnet face squarely along its full length. If the door sags or the plate is off-centre, only part of the magnet is working.
- Gaps between the lock and the armature plate. Holding force drops sharply with even a small air gap from paint, stickers, a raised screw head or a door that does not close fully.
- Dirt and corrosion. Grime on the mating faces acts like a gap, so wipe both faces during routine maintenance, especially on dusty sites.
- Voltage drop. The lock needs its rated voltage at the lock, not just at the power supply. Long or thin cable runs and undersized supplies reduce it. The LOKIZ M280 range draws 480 mA at DC12V or 240 mA at DC24V; running at 24 V halves the current, which helps on longer runs.
- A rigidly fixed armature plate. Armature plates are usually mounted with a little play so they can self-align with the magnet; over-tightening removes that.
- A weak door or frame. On a hollow or lightweight door, the fixing can pull out before the magnet lets go.
- Heat. The M280 range is rated for -20 °C to +55 °C, worth checking if the lock will sit in direct sun on an external door.
Residual magnetism is the opposite problem: after the power is cut, some magnetism can remain and the door can stick for a moment instead of releasing cleanly. The LK-M280, LK-M280-5T and LK-M280-7T all list anti-residual magnetism to prevent this.
Fail-Safe: What Happens When the Power Goes Off
Magnetic locks are fail-safe: when power is removed, the magnet releases and the door can be opened. The LK-M280-5T, LK-M280-7T and LK-M280D-5T are all specified as fail-safe. That suits doors on escape routes, but it has two consequences:
- Security during a power cut. A maglock without power holds nothing. If the door must stay secure during outages, use a power supply with battery backup sized for the lock's current.
- Safe exit must be planned. People inside must always be able to release the door. Fit a door release (exit) button on the inside, an emergency break-glass release such as the LK-BG03-G break glass emergency exit release and, where the building has a fire alarm, an interface that cuts power to the lock when the alarm activates. Confirm the requirements for your building with your consultant or building management before installation.
If a door must stay locked when the power fails, a magnetic lock is the wrong tool; our magnetic lock vs electric strike comparison explains the alternative.
Single Door vs Double Door Magnetic Locks
A single door magnetic lock has one magnet and one armature plate. LOKIZ stocks three 280 kg (600 lbs) single-door models:
- LK-M280 — the standard type, with a 250 × 47 × 26 mm body, DC12V input (DC24V optional) and anti-residual magnetism.
- LK-M280-5T and LK-M280-7T — the same 280 kg rating with a red and green LED status indicator and DC12V / DC24V input.
A double door magnetic lock such as the LK-M280D-5T has two magnets in one 500 mm housing, each with its own armature plate. It is rated at 280 kg (600 lbs) per door leaf, not 560 kg on one leaf, because each leaf is held independently. It draws 480 mA × 2 at 12 V (240 mA × 2 at 24 V), so size the power supply for both coils.
Wooden, Glass, Sliding and Inward-Opening Doors
The M280 models are listed as suitable for wooden, glass, metal and fireproof doors. What changes is how the lock is mounted:
- Magnetic lock for a wooden door: fix the armature plate with a through-bolt into a solid part of the door, not a hollow core.
- Glass doors: frameless glass needs dedicated brackets because you cannot screw into it. See our magnetic lock for glass door guide.
- Sliding doors: mounting is different on a sliding leaf. See our sliding door magnetic lock guide.
- Inward-opening doors: a surface-mounted maglock normally sits on the side of the frame that the door swings away from. On a door that opens inwards into the secured area, that would put the lock outside, so a ZL (Z and L) bracket set is used to position the magnet and armature plate correctly. LOKIZ stocks the LK-LZ280D L brackets for inward doors and the LK-LZ350 ZL brackets, designed for 350 kg magnetic locks on wooden, metal and fire doors. Confirm the bracket matches your lock model before ordering, or browse all magnetic lock brackets.
How to Choose the Right Magnetic Lock Strength
- Identify the door: material, size, and whether it is single or double.
- Check which way it opens. Inward-opening doors need ZL or L brackets; glass and sliding doors need their own mounting.
- Match the class to the door. For most internal office, glass and meeting room doors, 280 kg / 600 lbs is the standard choice. For heavier main entrances, larger doors or higher-security rooms, consider a 1200 lbs lock and ask us about higher-rated options.
- Plan the power: 12 V or 24 V, a supply sized for the lock current (both coils on a double door) and battery backup if the door must stay secure during outages.
- Plan safe exit: exit button, break-glass release and fire alarm interface wherever they are needed.
- Get the installation right: full-face contact, no gaps, a firmly fixed magnet and a correctly mounted armature plate. This is where most "weak" maglocks actually fail.
Magnetic Door Lock Price in Dubai
As a guide, an EM lock costs about AED 120–400 per unit, and single-door installation in Dubai typically costs AED 350–700 depending on the door type and cabling (excluding VAT). Exit buttons, brackets, power supplies and readers are priced separately. See the full access control cost guide, browse our magnetic locks, or read more on our electromagnetic lock Dubai and magnetic locks in Dubai pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is a magnetic door lock?
A standard single-door magnetic lock is rated at 280 kg (about 600 lbs) of holding force, and heavy-duty models at 1200 lbs (about 544 kg). Real-world strength depends on alignment, full contact between the magnet and armature plate, and the correct voltage at the lock.
Is a 280 kg magnetic lock the same as a 600 lbs EM lock?
Yes. 280 kg converts to about 617 lbs, so 280 kg locks are sold as 600 lbs locks. They are the same strength class.
Is a 600 lbs magnetic lock strong enough for a main door?
For many office and glass entrance doors, yes; it is the standard class. Heavier, larger or higher-risk doors benefit from the bigger margin of a 1200 lbs lock. LOKIZ stocks the 280 kg class, so ask us about higher-rated options for heavier doors.
Can I use a magnetic lock on a wooden door?
Yes. The LOKIZ M280 models are listed as suitable for wooden doors. Fix the armature plate into a solid part of the door, and use a ZL or L bracket if the door opens inwards.
What happens to a magnetic lock in a power cut?
It releases. EM locks are fail-safe, so the door can be opened when power is lost. Use battery backup if the door must stay secure during outages, and always provide an exit button and an emergency release.
How strong is a double door magnetic lock?
The LOKIZ LK-M280D-5T holds 280 kg (600 lbs) per door leaf, with a separate magnet and armature plate for each leaf.
Need help choosing? Send the door type, size, opening direction and a photo to LOKIZ on WhatsApp or call +971 50 202 5767. The M280 range is stocked in Dubai, with same-day dispatch for weekday orders placed before 12:00 PM and delivery in 24–48 hours to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. You can also contact us for a combined supply and installation quote.
