Our industrial electric bolt lock is the power behind our lift locks.
The EBL-I – Industrial Electric Bolt Lock is widely used in thousands of locking and security applications across more than a dozen industry sectors. But as well as being hugely popular, its proven mechanism forms the backbone of many other solenoid actuated assemblies. In the context of lifts (or elevators in US English), EBL-I is the foundation.
For us at Magnet Schultz, the lift industry is topical right now. That’s because our next trade show is LIFTEX, which takes place at London’s ExCeL exhibition centre on 11th and 12th June. You will find us exhibiting on Stand C0. (Be sure to drop by if you attend the show.)
Our industrial locking system finds itself at the centre of a range of locks widely used for platform lifts in the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act 1995) market. Platform lifts are typically those you’ll see in retail premises, like Homebase or Halfords. They bypass stairs or provide access to upper floors for disabled people and wheelchair users, and are invariably built into the structure of the premises. With these lifts, only the floor (platform) moves, not the walls. Some access as many as five floors, so locking security for the access doors is imperative. That’s where our electric locks come in – most of which are based around a custom design for that manufacturer’s lift using the EBL-I industrial electric lock design.
Platform lifts can be used outdoors to bypass steps where there’s no ramp, while various designs are also used in the domestic market and are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to a stairlift (though few will accommodate a wheelchair). Our locking solutions address these market sectors as well.
Doors to platform lifts that conform to DDA protocols must be locked at the top and bottom and can only unlock when the lift stops moving, having reached the correct level. That’s why a fully automated locking solution is ideal: we provide that with electric solenoid-actuated locks that are certified to the Machinery Directive EN81-41-43.
One of our largest lift industry customers is a household name stairlift manufacturer. That firm is now moving into the ‘Home Lift’ business, which is a parallel market to platform lifts. In setting up a new business division to manufacture a cost-competitive home lift, the company needed a smaller electric lock, which we have developed for this specific application.
In the UK, there are a handful of platform lift manufacturers. The end products essentially look the same because they do the same thing. Some of the underlying technology is different: one uses hydraulic rams to raise and lower the platform; another uses lead screws. But we supply all these businesses with bespoke electric locking solutions that meet the Machinery Directive – all of which are based on our proven EBL-I industrial electric lock.
The precise requirements for each customer are different. Some need a longer or chamfered bolt, or an alternative mounting system, or a special electrical cable or connector. And that’s where we excel with a proven solenoid lock solution that’s customisable.
Our most recent incarnation of the industrial EBL-I mechanism developed for lift applications is our TALL lift lock. TALL stands for Type Approved Lift Lock. We’ve specifically designed the Magnet Schultz electric lock product to comply with the rigorous standards of the 2014/33/EU Lifts Directive. That means it also meets the requirements of EN 81-20 and EN 81-50.
While TALL is based on EBL-I, the design goal – which we achieved – was to reduce the size of this device to allow it to be fitted within existing lift infrastructure without modification. Measuring just 36mm x 68mm x 190mm, TALL is ideal for compact lifts with hinged doors and lifts with sliding doors. The unit also includes a PCB that features two positive-acting switches for positional feedback and control.
We developed TALL for use in full-size passenger lifts. The Lifts Directive demands a covered enclosure (TALL uses tough carbon fibre reinforced nylon) for the actuator, but the mechanism must be visible, so we included a window.
The TALL and EBL-I (and its weatherproof sister lock EBL-W), along with an extensive array of our locking, electromagnets and actuator products, will be on display on our stand at this year’s LIFTEX exhibition. A reminder that the event takes place at London’s ExCeL on 11th and 12th June.
A final note about our EBL-I industrial electric locks. We used terms like proven, dependable and reliable in describing EBL-I. Our engineering team undertakes a comprehensive life test on our lock designs. Each product is tested for more than 1 million operations. The test routine consists of one second on, one second off. So one million cycles takes about two-and-a-half weeks. We then write a report documenting the test which accompanies the product to the customer. This makes ISO and CE conformity much easier for them and provides confidence in the lock’s robustness and long operational life, and forms part of their technical file.
Don’t forget to catch up with us on Stand C0 at LIFTEX and see EBL-I and TALL for yourself. Click here to register for LIFTEX 2025 for free.