Various ways can be used to secure cabinets, lockers, and other sorts of enclosures. You might, for example, use a padlock or a cam lock. You have the choice between the two. Cam locks are typically preferred over padlocks due to their ability to remain hidden. A cam lock can be installed within the enclosure so that it is not visible from the outside. What exactly are cam locks, and how do they accomplish their job?
What Is A Cam Lock, Exactly?
Cam locks are L-shaped locking mechanisms commonly used to secure cabinets, lockers, and other enclosures. They are made up of two major components: a cylindrical keyed nut and a tongue bar (also known as a cam). After installing the enclosure, secure it by inserting a key into the former part and rotating it anticlockwise.
The Workings Of Cam Locks
The cam lock has numerous varieties, but the mechanism is the same. Cam locks are usually installed on the front face of an enclosure, exactly in the middle. Once mounted, the front of the cam lock will remain flush with the front of the enclosure in which it is put.
A key is always required for locking and unlocking cam locks. When a key is inserted and spun in a cam lock, the tongue bar shifts position, signaling that the lock has been unlocked. Depending on the position you select, the tongue bar will either move to the side or up and to the vertical position when you turn the key. The enclosure may be secured by swiveling the tongue bar to the side. The cage, on the other hand, will be freed when the tongue bar is positioned vertically.
How Do You Select Cam Locks?
When choosing cam locks, keep the material in mind. Cam locks come in various styles, each made of a different material. Cam locks are frequently made of zinc alloy, a popular material. A “zinc alloy” is any metallic substance composed of zinc with at least one other metal, and the term can be used for any of these compounds. Brass, for example, is a zinc-containing alloy widely used in manufacturing cam locks.
If you want to buy cam locks in large quantity, it is advised that they all be keyed the same. Cam locks that are “keyed identically” suggest that a single key will open all the locks in the set. You won’t have to worry about losing track of several keys, whether a dozen or a hundred, no matter how many cam locks you buy. All cam locks can be locked and opened using the same key if desired.
While most cam locks require a key, some do not. The goal of these devices, sometimes known as keyless thumb-turn cam locks, is to prevent the front of cabinets and enclosures from opening. They will not protect you from theft. Despite this, some people prefer keyless thumb-turn cam locks because of the ease with which they may be used.
