When it comes to intelligent locks, they are a combination of traditional mechanical locks and modern information technology and biotechnology. The majority of intelligent smart locks still consist of two key components: lock bodies and lock cylinders.

Lock bodies are an essential part of intelligent locks responsible for basic anti-theft and locking functions of the door. The square shaft and lock cylinder control the operation of the lock body, which is responsible for securely locking the door and plays a crucial role in theft prevention.

Classification of Lock Bodies

Lock bodies can be categorized as standard (6068) lock bodies and non-standard lock bodies. The standard lock body, also known as the 6068 lock body, refers to the distance between the lock body and the guiding plate, which is 60 millimeters, and the distance between the large square steel and the back locking square steel, which is 68 millimeters. The 6068 lock body is easy to install, highly versatile, and widely applicable. Some manufacturers produce their own lock bodies, which require more complicated installation procedures, including drilling holes, resulting in longer installation times.

For lock body materials, it is recommended to choose 304 stainless steel. 304 stainless steel is durable, sturdy, resistant to wear, and less prone to rust. Opting for inferior materials such as tinplate, zinc alloy, or common alloys may lead to rusting, mold formation, and reduced durability.

1. 6068 Lock Body

This refers to the commonly used lock body that is installed on most doors. The lock tongue can be either cylindrical or square-shaped.

2. BaWang Lock Body

Derived from the common 6068 lock body, the BaWang lock body has two additional deadbolts, acting as secondary locking tongues. The BaWang lock body is larger in size and includes two additional deadbolts.

Classification of Lock Cylinders

Lock cylinders are the most prominent and important part for evaluating the security of home door locks. Currently, there are three levels of lock cylinders: A, B, and C.

1. A Level Lock Cylinder

Security Level: Extremely low! It is highly susceptible to burglars. It is recommended to replace this lock immediately.

Technical Difficulty: Destructive unlocking methods such as drilling, prying, pulling, and impact should take more than 10 minutes, while technical unlocking methods should take more than 1 minute. It has poor resistance to destructive unlocking.

Key Type: Single or cross-shaped keys.

Structure: This type of lock has a very simple structure, requiring only five or six ball bearings.

Evaluation: The price is low, but the security level is also low. It is commonly used for old residential wooden or tinplate doors. The ball bearing structure is straightforward, and it can be easily opened using a tin foil tool without making any noise. Not only can this lock be instantly opened without damaging it, but it is also difficult to detect that it has been tampered with.

2. B Level Lock Cylinder

Security Level: Relatively higher, capable of deterring most thieves.

Technical Difficulty: Destructive unlocking methods such as drilling, prying, pulling, and impact should take more than 15 minutes, while technical unlocking methods should take more than 5 minutes.

Key Type: Semi-circular single-row keys or double-row blade keys.

Structure: More complex than single-row ball bearing locks, making it more challenging to unlock.

Evaluation: The security level is higher than that of flat key locks, and it can also be opened with a tin foil tool. Some products claim to have an ultra-B level lock cylinder, with one side having a double row of ball bearings and the other side having a double row of blades to prevent forceful unlocking. It offers a higher security level and comes at a moderate price.

3. C Level Lock Cylinder

Security Level: Extremely high, but not impenetrable!

Technical Difficulty: Destructive unlocking methods such as drilling, sawing, prying, pulling, and impact should take more than 30 minutes, while technical unlocking methods should take more than 10 minutes. Some C level locks are said to withstand theft attempts for up to 400 minutes, which is quite impressive.

Key Type: Crescent-shaped multi-row keys or triple-row blade keys.

Structure: Fully blade-based structure with a flat back. It features three-dimensional “grooves + pits + mysterious patterns” on the top. There are also new lock models with four dimensions, adding an additional plane.

Evaluation: This type of lock offers extremely high security. If the key is lost, it is extremely difficult to open, and the lock cylinder may need to be replaced. However, when used in intelligent locks, this problem is eliminated as the lock can be opened through card swiping or fingerprint recognition without the need for a key. Naturally, the price is higher.

Real Insertion Lock Cylinder vs. False Insertion Lock Cylinder

Furthermore, lock cylinders can be categorized as real insertion lock cylinders and false insertion lock cylinders. It is crucial to choose the real insertion lock cylinder.

The real insertion lock cylinder has a gourd-like shape and goes through both sides of the lock body. It contains a transmission device in the middle of the lock cylinder, which controls the expansion and contraction of the lock tongue when the key is rotated.

False insertion lock cylinders are only about half the length of the plug-in lock body lock cylinder. As a result, the lock cylinder can only be installed on the outside of the lock body, with the transmission device connected by a straight rod. These lock cylinders have extremely poor security and should be avoided.

When purchasing an intelligent lock, it is vital to consider the type of lock body and lock cylinder. Stainless steel 6068 lock bodies provide strong versatility, easy installation without the need for additional drilling, and are easy to maintain. B and C level pure copper lock cylinders significantly enhance the security of anti-theft door locks and are the preferred choice for residential door locks, especially intelligent smart locks.