Although you use locks every day, you may not understand how they work. If you want to learn more, who better to provide information than a seasoned locksmith? Cohen’s Key Shop in New Haven County, CT, has been in business since 1897. If you’re interested in learning more about how locks work, here’s a guide from the experts at Cohen’s Key Shop.

How Do Locks Work? A Locksmith Explains

Lock Components

A lock is made of a few main parts, including a bolt, the locking mechanism, and the outer shell. The locking mechanism includes a set of metal pieces called pins that move when struck by a key. Once they are in the correct order, the mechanism is released, allowing it to rotate. This causes the bolt part of the lock to extend and hold the door in place. Turning it the other direction retracts the bolt, allowing the door to open and close freely. The metal casing is what you see when you look at a lock from the outside. It’s a protective feature that prevents people from breaking the lock with force.

Interaction With Keys

Every key has a series of jagged points that are fitted to the metal pins within the locking mechanism. For a lock to work, every piece must match up inside the lock. Only when every pin aligns correctly will the mechanism be free to turn and move the bolt. 

Different Types of Locks

Traditional door locks, deadbolts, and padlocks are all mechanical. Those locks only vary depending on the size of the bolt and how they hold the door or lock in place. However, there are also some locks that use numerical codes rather than keys. In that case, the numbers take the function of the pins; all of them must be entered correctly for the lock to be released. Electronic locks use electromagnetic readers and unlock when the corresponding magnetized card is presented. 

Because locks include so many components and moving parts, you need an experienced locksmith for installation, key duplication, or replacement services. The team at Cohen’s Key Shop is proud to offer friendly, efficient service. You can be sure that you’ll receive the help you need with a smile. Call (203) 397-3528 or contact the company online to learn more.