Residential electromechanical locks have been around for the last several years, providing different methods of entry. These locks are available as a deadbolt or entry in cylindrical, mortise and exit trim. Early models were equipped with a keypad that unlocked when the proper user code was entered. Over the years, newer models with more features and greater capabilities have been introduced.
For this article, we will discuss two electromechanical deadbolts and an entry locks for residential applications, all using different technologies. The locks discussed in this article are:
- Cal-Royal RS2000, a Grade 2 residential and light commercial phone lock using keypad, contactless smartcard and NFC-equipped smartphones and tablets to gain access.
- Schlage Touch Camelot Lock with Accent Lever Lock, a Grade 2 residential lock that is Z-Wave enabled.
- Yale Real Living Touchscreen Deadbolt, a Grade 2 residential lock can be ordered with the Z-Wave or ZigBee module.
Zigbee and Z-Wave
The Schlage Touch and Real Living Touchscreen can be included in a Z-Wave (or ZigBee Yale) network to enable remote connectivity of the locks. Both of these locks have open architecture wireless standard, permitting them to operate with a compatible hub from any manufacturer.
ZigBee and Z-Wave are short-range wireless technologies used for remote monitoring and control. However, their specifications and applications are different. Z-Wave uses the 900 MHz frequency and ZigBee uses the 2.4 to 483 GHz frequencies. They are not interchangeable nor are the enabled products. ZigBee and Z-Wave technologies use low power RF radios embedded into or attached to the electronic devices. The technologies are available in locks, thermostats, cameras, lighting equipment, home security systems, motorized window treatment, etc. A Z-Wave system can incorporate up to 232 Z-Wave equipped devices.
Both the Schlage and Yale locks require the residence to have a PC, a home Internet connection and a hub that is compatible with the lock's technology. The hub is plugged into the router via an Ethernet Cable. Compatible hub and the Z-Wave or ZigBee connected devices are wireless. Once configured, a smartphone or tablet equipped with the hub app can control any connected device from anywhere with Internet access.
To begin, purchase an open system Z-Wave and/or ZigBee compatible hub that has no monthly fees/charges and a free app. The app provides the smartphone, tablet and PC the ability to control the connected devices. To decide upon a hub for this lock and other home automation devices, consider checking out the corresponding apps for the hubs and read the hubs and apps reviews. This will help narrow your decision. For a system using Z-Wave devices only, just about any Z-Wave hub will suffice.
Unlike NFC-equipped locks, Z-Wave/ZigBee equipped locks work with Apple iPhone as well as Android and Windows smartphones. To view Apple iPhone apps, go to iTunes. To view Android apps, go to Google Play. To view Windows apps, go to Windows Phone.
For those who tech savvy individuals consider a hub that supports more than one technology. ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi device protocols will most likely be the technologies that will play an important role in Home Automation for a number of years.
Z-Wave does not require complex wiring or programming. To have the Z-Wave devices communicate with the hub, they must be connected. "Pairing" is achieved by pressing a sequence of buttons on the hub and on each device. Once paired, they are able to communicate with each other. An advantage of the Z-Wave technology is the ability to create Home Automation, controlling electronic equipment using a smartphone, tablet or PC.
Z-Wave/ZigBee equipped locks can be configured to know when family members or friends gain access and egress. Plus, there is the ability to remotely unlock or lock the lock. In addition, the system can be set up to send alerts that automatically notify the homeowner when there is a problem.
Schlage Touch
The Schlage Touch Camelot Lock with Accent Lever Lock, part number FE659, is an ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 residential leverset with a 2" tall by 2-3/8" wide 10-digit telephone style keypad. The slightly textured matte coating on the touchscreen resists fingerprint smudging, helping to prevent decoding. The touchscreen assembly has a thin profile, easily fitting between the screen and front doors. The weather resistant touchscreen can be operated using gloves. The extra large digits glow blue, illuminated by LED down lighting.
Touchscreen Leverset door prep is a 2-1/8" or 1-1/2" cross bore with one-inch edge bore having a 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" backset. The latch bolt is adjustable. In addition, the faceplate can be removed to install as a drive-in latch bolt. Standard door thickness is 1-3/8" - 1-3/4". A thick door kit is available.
The electrical connection from the inside assembly to the touchscreen assembly is a single wiring harness which is slid through the cross bore. The Touch Lock is powered by on 9Volt battery. This non-keyed leverset has two 9Volt battery contacts beneath the lever to provide a battery jump in case power is lost.
There is a Programming Code and up to 19 User Codes can be. The Programming Code only programs the lock and user codes; it will not unlock the lock. The Programming Code is six digits long and the user codes are four digits.
To unlock the lock, enter a user code. If there is limited illumination, press the Schlage logo on the keypad before entering the user code to illuminate the keypad.
In case the programming code and/or user codes are forgotten, the default programming code and the two user codes are printed onto two labels; one is located on the exterior housing and the second is on the front cover of the User's Guide.
Programmable enhanced controls include enable vacation mode and enable or disable beepers. Enable vacation mode locks out all User Codes. It can be disabled by using the Programming Code. The beeper can be silenced or turned on.
The Schlage Touch Camelot Lock with Accent Lever Lock, part number FE659 electromechanical leverset is equipped with a Z-Wave Radio making it a Security Enabled Z-Wave Product. This Schlage Touchscreen Leverset may be included into any Z-Wave network, using a compatible hub from any manufacturer. This lock can be operated without the Z-Wave functionality.
Yale Real Living
The Yale Real Living Touch Screen Lever Lock and Deadbolt product line includes push button or touchscreen with or without mechanical lock cylinder. All Yale Real Living Locks are equipped with illuminated touchscreen or pushbutton keypads. Real Living Locks have voice activated programming, tamper and low battery alarms and privacy lockout.
Real Living Touch Screen Deadbolt models are equipped with a tapered bolt, whose motor extends and retracts the bolt. The deadbolts are certified ANSI/BHMA A156.36 Grade 2.
For this article, we will discuss the key override equipped model, which uses a six-pin tumbler lock cylinder, five coded and equipped with a narrow tail shaft. The "Key Free" deadbolts have a 9Volt battery backup at the bottom of the outside escutcheon. They are designed to accommodate a standard ANSI 161 door prep in a 1-3/8" to 2-1/4" thick door. Single wiring harness connects the circuitry to the battery pack. Yale Real Living digital door locks are available in polished brass, oil rubbed bronze and satin nickel.
The programmable advanced lock settings are automatic re-lock, inside indicator light, one-touch locking and privacy button setting. The emergency override is a brass, six pin tumbler combinated five KW-1 or optional SC-1 keyway lock cylinder. There is sufficient space in the outside housing to accommodate most original equipment lock cylinders.
Real Living Deadbolts can be ordered with Z-Wave or ZigBee Radio Modules for wireless operation. The wireless versions have up to 250 four- to eight-digit user codes. The master code is also four to eight digits. The standard deadbolt locks have up to 25 four- to eight-digit user codes.
For the purpose of this article, we will discuss the Z-Wave equipped Touchscreen deadbolt. Z-Wave is a wireless; secure technology that has been available for over ten years. Z-Wave wireless protocol operates at a frequency range that does not compete with Wi-Fi and other IEEE 802.11 based wireless Local Area Networks (LAN). The Z-Wave Alliance is a association of more than 250 independent manufacturers that agree to build wireless home control products to the Z-Wave standard.
Near field communication (NFC) is a form of contactless communication that allows a user to wave (or tap) an NFC compatible smartphone or tablet at a NFC compatible device to send information without needing to touch the device or complete additional steps in order to set up a connection. The NFC card emulation mode enables the Android and Windows smartphones to act like smartcards in order to function as a credential for a proximity card access control system or a credit card to make purchases. NFC advantages include fast transaction times, which is extremely important for companies with large numbers of employees entering their facilities at specific hours.
Cal-Royal RS2000
Cal-Royal has introduced their RS2000 Heavy Duty Grade 2 Residential Phone Lock, an electromechanical lever handle entry. The battery-operated RS2000 can be operated using a key, NFC-capable smartphone/tablet using the Key Butler app or contactless MIFARE compatible smartcards. Important: Any smartphone or tablet cannot be read if it is enclosed in a metal backed case. The metal obstructs the signal.
The non-handed RS200 is equipped with a clutch mechanism, which allows lever rotation without retracting the latch when in the locked condition. This vandal resistant technology prevents forced latch retraction.
The RS2000 lock fits a modified ANSI 161 door prep. Four additional 3/8" diameter through bolt holes are needed to secure the outside and inside assemblies. The standard latch backset is 2-3/8" with an option of 2-3/4".
This residential phone lock is weather resistant, designed for protected exterior as well as interior applications. Four AA alkaline batteries provide one year of operation rated at 10 openings per day. The low battery warning sounds one beep then 10 beeps during a successful unlocking. An emergency 9Volt battery power port is located at the base of the outside lock assembly.
For mechanical operation a six pin tumbler keyed five SC-1 key lock cylinder is lever mounted. When a programmed credential is presented to the lock sensor area, which has an inductive distance up to 1-3/16", a flashing status LED illuminates green just above. When an invalid credential is presented, the status LED illuminates red, which then generates an audible sequence of warning beeps. The inductive distance is from the smartphone antenna to the sensor.
This Cal-Royal phone lock has one administrator code and up to 127 client codes using any combination of smartphone and/or smartcard. The administrator cCode manages the lock and the registered client codes for one or more locks. In addition, the administrator code can be used for access.
Each phone lock is capable of maintaining up to 1023 audit trail entries and up to 10,000 audit trail entries on the administrator’s smartphone. Administrator and client smartphones must be equipped with the free Key Butler app. For more information, go to the Key Butler Web Site: www.keybutlerapp.com/manual.html
Once the Key Butler app has been installed into the smartphone or tablet, the next step is for the administrator to communicate with the new phone lock. The process requires "Pairing." To complete the process, you must know the DIN, which is the identifying characters for the lock. The owners manual provides the DIN. With the Key Butler app activated, select "Add Lock." Enter the DIN and the name of the lock. Press the ">". The window will change to an instruction page. Follow these instructions. Once completed, this smartphone becomes the administrator of the lock. Repeat the process for all other phone locks.
Follow the instructions to add clients, set access rights, view log, set notifications and update firmware. Programming is very simple. For example to add a client, use the administrator's smartphone to tap the lock. Tap the lock with the client's smartphone. The client's smartphone is programmed in order to unlock the lock. For 24/7/365 access, the administrator does not have to do anything more.
There are advantages for smartphone operable locks. The NFC functionality provided by the Key Butler app is dedicated to lock operation and the users. The Z-Wave/ZigBee functionality deadbolt locks provide the ability to incorporate home automation as well as lock functionality. In addition, survey after survey reports that people are significant less likely to lose or place their smartphones in a position to be stolen.
Which functionality is dependent upon your end user? Both provide locksmiths with the opportunity to expand into different markets, which at this time are growing at significant rates.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or:
Cal-Royal: www.cal-royal.com/
Schlage: http://consumer.schlage.com
Yale Real Living: www.yalerealliving.com
