Whether you are securing a lock box, cash box or filing cabinet, the type of cam lock you use matters. For example, if you have an enclosure that holds cash or coins in a public place, you would like to make it very challenging for a thief to get into your enclosure. On the other hand, maybe you are just trying to prevent employees from messing with the building temperature, thus you slap a plastic enclosure over your thermostat and secure it with a cheap lock with minimal security features. As a matter of fact, you may even want to make it easy to get into that lock, just in case you lose the key. In either case, let’s take a look at some things to consider when choosing a cam lock such as material type, key type, dimensions, type of cam and type of cam stop.
Security Level
There are many levels of cam lock security. RA-Lock works with original equipment manufacturers and offers medium to high security cam locks.
Material and Key Types
A cam lock is made up of a lock shell/casing and lock. Most of these components are constructed out of nickel and brass. When it comes to key types, there are several options. Security wise, the level of difficulty to defeat the lock is:
- Barrel key—Good
- Vertical cut key—Better
- Biaxial—Best
Dimensions and Types of Cam
Cam locks come in a wide range of dimensions, and various sizes are dictated by the application. All cam types come in their own standard lengths.
- Cam Length A: No Length, 3/4″ (19 mm), 7/8″ (22 mm), 1″ (25.4 mm), 1-1/8″ (28.57 mm), 1-1/4″ (31.75 mm), 1-3/8″ (34.92 mm), 1-1/2″ (38.1 mm), 1-3/4″ (44.45 mm), 2″ (50.8 mm), 2-1/2″ (63.5 mm), 3″ (76.2 mm)
- Cam Length B: No Length, 3/4″ (19 mm), 7/8″ (22 mm), 1″ (25.4 mm), 1-1/8″ (28.57 mm), 1-1/4″ (31.75 mm), 1-3/8″ (34.92 mm), 1-1/2″ (38.1 mm), 1-3/4″ (44.45 mm), 2″ (50.8 mm), 2-1/2″ (63.5 mm), 3″ (76.2 mm)
Here is a list of some common types of cams
- 0: No Cam
- SU: Straight Cam Upward position
- SD: Straight Cam Downward position
- OUF: Offset Cam Up-Forward position
- OUB: Offset Cam Up-Backward position
- ODF: Offset Cam Down-Forward position
- ODB: Offset Cam Down-Backward position
- HUL: Hook Cam Upward position Left
- HDL: Hook Cam Downward position Left
- HUR: Hook Cam Upward position Right
- HDR: Hook Cam Downward position Right
- LU: L Cam Upward position
- LD: L Cam Downward position
- IV: Short Cam
Cam Stop
The cam stop can be just as important as the cam lock itself. The cam stop determines the rotation of the cam lock as well as whether the lock is key retaining or not. Key retaining means the key cannot be removed until the lock is returned to the locked position.
The fact that you are considering a cam lock means that there is some level of concern for how secure your enclosure will be. RA-Lock offers cam locks that span a broad range of security needs. Contact one of our security specialists today and let us help you secure your business assets.
