Michael Chappell is Brand Manager of Products and Marketing at Kasp, a brand of Carl Kammerling International. He explains the factors to consider when choosing a padlock to ensure optimal security.
Technology is constantly evolving and the number of security products on the market is now overwhelming. However, the traditional padlock is still essential to protect personal property.
Padlocks are a simple, easy-to-use and cost-effective option for protecting your most valuable possessions and can be used either on their own or as part of a wider security system. But not all padlocks are created equal. Some are easier to break, pick or decode than others. Your choice of padlock is critical to ensuring resistance and security. But with a variety of purposes, sizes, materials and local conditions to consider, what has to be considered to make the right choice?
Determine the level of security required
First, assess the level of security required. This will determine the quality and strength of the padlock you choose. When the stakes are high, it is worth investing in high-quality, top-of-the-line products. A poor quality padlock bears the risk of theft, unforeseen costs and, in some cases, even serious health and safety consequences.
This is where the choice of material is crucial. The body of the padlock plays an important role in protecting the locking mechanism from tampering. The most commonly used materials are solid brass, plated steel or hardened steel. The latter is the toughest material available on the market and can withstand most attacks, such as cutting, sawing and smashing.
Stainless steel padlocks and rust-proof internals offer better resistance to moisture. To prevent corrosion and failure of padlocks in more extreme environments, Kasp has launched a range of marine padlocks. They are precision-engineered from high-quality materials and offer exceptional weather resistance thanks to their mirror-chrome solid brass bodies, rust-proof internal components, stainless steel shackle and rubber shackle seals that prevent water from entering.
Consider which locking mechanism you choose
Combination padlocks are opened by a combination of letters or numbers, while keyed padlocks are opened by a key. Both options can provide a high level of security, but there are some differences to consider.
Keyed padlocks are generally seen as the most secure option, offering strong protection. Consider whether a keyed alike padlock (where one key opens multiple locks) or a padlock with one key (where one key only opens one lock) is best. A combination padlock, on the other hand, does not require a key and is opened with a specific combination of letters or numbers, so that only the person who knows the code can access the locked item or room. When the combination is entered correctly, the internal mechanism aligns the internal parts of the lock accordingly and the lock opens. Sometimes this is a more convenient option as no key is required.
The difficulty lies in avoiding security breaches that compromise the integrity of either type of padlock. For example, using codes that are easy to guess or crack, forgetting the code, or losing or misplacing the key to a padlock are all risks that should be considered. Taking appropriate precautions to prevent such risks, such as keeping a spare padlock key in a safe place and using complex, unguessable codes, are essential to keeping your property safe. When a high level of security is required, a padlock with a paracentric key profile is recommended. This makes locks more resistant to unauthorized opening as the lock pins are not directly accessible to conventional unlocking tools. Many of the padlocks offered by Kasp feature this mechanism, giving you greater security.
Pay attention to the size the shackle
High shackle padlocks feature an extra long shackle and can be used when standard lengths are not sufficient, offering more flexibility. Closed shackle padlocks, on the other hand, have only a minimal amount of the shackle exposed. Combined with reinforced walls, this provides an additional level of security and helps prevent cutting with bolt cutters or saws. However, this type of padlock may not be suitable for every environment or situation.
Find specialist solutions
In certain circumstances, only a specialist padlock solution is appropriate. For example, in the electrical industry, safely isolating the electrical network by locking the circuit to prevent accidental re-energisation is an important step that cannot be neglected.
Kasp Lockout is a range of essential tools specifically designed for safe isolation to protect electricians and other personnel from workplace accidents. Energy sources are locked off with padlocks and physical safety devices to provide protection in the event of a sudden energy release. The Kasp K81300 Electrician’s Lockout Kit contains all the necessary parts to lock out a fuse. Included is an Easifit MCB lockout, a 25mm brass padlock, a warning/identity marking label and a snap hook to hold all the parts of the kit together.
Look for trusted brands
Choose padlocks from reputable brands known for quality and reliability.
Kasp is one of the UK’s leading brands and offers a range of padlocks, security chains and cables developed using 40 years of experience in the security industry. Kasp padlocks are designed and manufactured to the highest standards and are widely known for their exceptional strength. They are precision machined from a solid block of high quality hardened steel, making them more difficult to cut or saw through than other products on the market. Some of Kasp’s more innovative and popular product lines include the high-quality 190 Series and the weather-resistant 145 Marine Padlock, which is designed for a variety of applications in commercial and residential environments.
Overall, padlocks play an essential and cost-effective role in protecting a variety of items, rooms and locations. Carefully consider the level of security, locking mechanism and shackle size you need – then find the right solution to keep your property safe and secure.
Images: Kasp, Adobe Stock
