Frequently Asked Questions:
Cylinders
CYLINDERS
Q. What do the abbreviations for KD and KA mean?
A.
- KD (Keyed Different) - An individually keyed cylinder operated by its own unique key.
KA (Keyed Alike) - Two or more cylinders operated by the same key. This is ideal for residential applications (i.e. front and back door).
Q. What is Master Key and Grand Master Key?
A.
- Master Keyed (MK) – A system consisting of several cylinders and each has a unique key. Within the system, there would be one Master Key (or pass key) that will operate all cylinders within the system.
Grand Master Key (GMK) – This is an extension of a master key system where the cylinders are divided into two or more groups. Again each individual cylinder has its own unique key. Each group would have its own unique Master Key and to make this a Grand Master key, there will be one Grand Master Key (or pass key) that will operate all cylinders.
Q. Can Ilco cylinders be rekeyed to an existing system?
A. Ilco cylinder components are manufactured to specifications that meet or exceed the original OEM cylinders. Not all keys supplied with Ilco cylinders are cut or "bitted" to OEM bitting specifications however, the cylinder can be rekeyed with OEM keys or a good quality key blank cut to the original spacing and depths.
Q. What is ANSI and BHMA?
A. ANSI is the acronym for the American National Standards Institute. ANSI oversees the creation and use of guidelines that directly impact American businesses. BHMA is the acronym for Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association. BHMA is involved in international standards, code regulations and a number of other activities that impact builder's hardware products.
Rim and Mortise Cylinder FAQ's
Q. What is the difference between a mortise cylinder and a rim cylinder?
A. A mortise cylinder is installed by screw in threads and is used on locking units that that are "mortised" into a door. Typical mortise cylinder applications are motel doors and aluminum framed doors on commercial buildings
Rim cylinders are installed with long screws that hold the cylinder in the door from the inside. Rim cylinders operate locks that attach to the surface of the door. An example of a rim cylinder application would be an inward opening or front door.
Q. What does the cam on a mortise cylinder do?
A. When the key is rotated, the cam (found on the back of the cylinder) will move the locking bolt or latch.
Q. How do I determine the length needed?
A. The length of a mortise cylinder is determined from underneath the head to the outside of the cam (see illus below). Mortise cylinders should reach the center of a door but should not screw in far enough to touch the cylinder or turn knob on the reverse side of the locking unit.
Interchangeable Core Cylinder FAQ's
Q. What is an Interchangeable Core?
A. An Interchangeable Core (or IC) is a figure 8 shaped lock cylinder that can be installed and removed with a special key without having toremove the entire lock. These cylinders are popular for commercial applications.
Profile Cylinder FAQ's
Q. What is a Profile Cylinder?
A. A profile cylinder is a pin tumbler cylinder designed to fit into a European style keyhole.
Q. Where are they used?
A. Profiles originated in Europe when older locking hardware was retrofitted with a pin tumbler cylinder. The design easily fits into existing European hardware. This retrofit prevented the replacement of very expensive doors. Today profile applications may be found on upscale homes in the USA.
Q. How do I determine the length needed for a profile cylinder?
A. For a more accurate measurement, remove the existing cylinder from the door. Profile cylinders are measured in millimeter. To determine length on the double cylinder with the cam in the center first measure the overall length (L), subtract the cam measurement (B), and divide the length (L) by two. This will give you the proper measurement for the inside (A) and outside (C) of the cylinder.
To determine length of a profile cylinder when the Cam is not centered, measure the length to the inside of the door (A) from the center of the screw hole, and the measurement to the outside of the door (C) from the center of the screw hole.
Q. Are Ilco profile cylinders rekeyable?
A. Yes. The pin cover chambers have removable screws so that the pins can be removed without disassembling the entire cylinder.
Bump Halt Cylinder FAQ's
Q. What is "bumping" a cylinder?
A. A special type of key called a "bump key" is used in conjunction with a hammer or similar object. By inserting the "bump key" into the key way and tapping the key head with the hammer it is possible to separate the top and bottom pins. Once the pins separate, the key is rotated and the lock can then be opened.
Q. How long has this technique been used?
A. As a part of their job function locksmiths and security professionals have known about and used this technique for many years. Operating within an industry code of ethics and true security professionals do not share such security knowledge with the public.
This procedure is now taught, discussed and demonstrated publicly on the internet by "hackers" outside of the security industry. This publicity has created security and safety concerns which security professionals are now working to overcome.
Q. What is the risk?
A. Because the technique has become public, less scrupulous individuals may learn to “bump” most conventional style cylinders causing concern about protection from unauthorized entry. Manufacturers and security professionals began taking immediate action to develop "bump" resistant methods of security when the technique became common knowledge.
Q. What should an individual do to provide security against "bumping"?
A. The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) has issued press releases to the public advising concerned individuals to contact and consult with a Certified Locksmith (CRL, CPL, CML). These professionals can provide cost efficient, effective solutions, such as the Ilco Bump Halt™ technology.
Q. What is the security industry doing to protect the public?
A. The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) has worked closely with security manufacturers to make the mailing of "bump keys" a federal crime. The Postmaster General has issued an official declaration stating that "bump keys" are “locksmithing devices” and therefore considered to be "non-mailable" undercurrent federal law.
The law makes it a crime to mail "locksmithing devices" to anyone other than security manufacturers, distributors, a "bona fide" locksmith and emergency personnel. Under this new law any unauthorized individuals or companies that mail "bump keys" can be fined and / or imprisoned.
Key Blanks
KEY BLANKS
Q. What is the difference between brass keys and nickel-plated keys?
A. In both cases the base material is brass. Nickel-plating the key extends the shelf life of the key and helps to maintain a "like new" look for a longer period of time.
Q. I have been told that the nickel-plating on a key will wear out the cutting wheel on a key duplicating machine prematurely. Is this true?
A. While Nickel-plating is hard, the wear difference on a cutting wheel is insignificant. Cutter wear is more affected by the speed and the pressure a person applies when duplicating a key. In addition, foreign objects that come in contact with the cutter and/or contact with the vise jaw will have an adverse affect on cutter life.
Q. Why are some keys made of nickel-silver material?
A. It is more difficult to break a key made of nickel silver material. It is often used when the keyway is thin.
Q. Why not make all keys out of steel?
A. The internal components of the lock are commonly made of brass or nickel-silver. Making all keys of steel would result in premature wear on the parts.
Q. I've heard that keys have thumb and finger sides. What does this mean?
A. If you hold a cut key in your right hand, with the bitting (cut edge) facing up, your thumb would rest on the thumb side and your finger would rest on the finger side of a key. While this applies in North America, this is not the case world-wide. In other countries, the bitting (or cut edge) may go into the lock with the facing down and therefore, the thumb side would be determined while holding the cut edge down.
