Force need to break a magnetic lock

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the ease with which a magnetic lock can be compromised in a secure treatment center for adolescents, particularly after a recent escape. The lock in question has a holding force of 1200 lbs, but concerns arise about the potential for applying additional force through leverage or improper use. The user seeks to understand the mechanics of breaking the lock, including the relationship between force applied and the lock's placement, suggesting that positioning the lock lower could enhance security. There is uncertainty about the calculations needed to determine the force required to break the lock, with the user attempting to formulate an equation based on the lock's holding force and the physical dynamics involved. Overall, the discussion highlights the need for better lock placement and understanding of the forces at play in securing the facility.
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Force need to break a magnetic lock NOT SOLVED

So rest assured I'm not planning a prison break. I work in a secure treatment center for adolescents and the other night we had an escape. Many of the staff are amazed at the ease they busted the lock. I looked at it and there is a lot of play on the top and bottom. Having just completed half of a physics for scientist and engineers I thought I can figure how easy it is and maybe come up with better lock placement. So here is the raw data.

I looked up and found a similar lock system they have on some of the other doors here it is.

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-27-1571v-1200lbs-12-to-24-volt-magnetic-lock.aspx?affiliateid=10050&wm_ctID=359&wm_kwID=21942114&wm_mtID=1&wm_DefaultURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.homesecuritystore.com%2f&source=pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla

So it's 1200 lbs force but the gate but all doors and gates have one lock what is the formula or how do I calculate the ratio of movement required to break the lock.

This gate the lock sits in the middle of a chain link fence that's about 9 feet high if I pushed the bottom have far or with what force is required to break the bond.


I'm thinking a if only one lock has to be used placing the lock towards the ground more would leave it more secure given the higher up due to height limitations of humans would be better.

Hey I'd love some help sucking up t.o my bosses so please help me learn what I need to figure this stuff out.

Ps I got another question ill ask later about another work related question.
 
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There is a lot of play on the top and bottom of what?
You mean if you push the top of a door or gate, the door will bend a lot around the lock?

I don't see any "raw data".

Though it take 1200lbs to force the lock open, under rated operating conditions, someone could apply more than that by using some sort of lever. It is also possible that the locks are not being used under rated conditions.
 
Your right lacking the raw and I'm going to guesstimate and make a few broad assumptions. The lock let's say has a set holding force of 1200 lbs here is another lock with a higher force

http://www.sdcsecurity.com/1510-Series-Electromagnetic-Door-Lock.htm

I'm unsure what is meant by holding force if it can be viewed like a static friction or not.

The lock is like 8" by 2" and on the 9' gate roughly in the middle this gate is a chain link fence with the standard galvanized steel tubing so yes the further away from the lock the easier it is to move the outer portion of the gate which would inturn cause more pressure or stress on the lock plate due to the. Static position of the lock plate the motion would be in an arc. So if the length of the portion of the fence is 4.5' the radius of the arc would be that.

I have no idea and just guessing I would imagine that I would be looking at the exact point of distance from initial position it takes to greater then or equal to the holding power. I wold think the equation would be something like the

ΔS=Ar/μholding force

But I don't know if this is how it would look or if this is totally wrong. Let's see if I provided enough info this time and Ty for getting me to provide more info
 
It may be shown from the equations of electromagnetism, by James Clerk Maxwell in the 1860’s, that the speed of light in the vacuum of free space is related to electric permittivity (ϵ) and magnetic permeability (μ) by the equation: c=1/√( μ ϵ ) . This value is a constant for the vacuum of free space and is independent of the motion of the observer. It was this fact, in part, that led Albert Einstein to Special Relativity.
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