Time flies when you’re having fun right?! We’re already on to part four in our key system series; if you’ve missed any of the previous entries check them out here: 1. 5 basic principles of key system management 2. Unrestricted 3. Restricted and proprietary.

We’re still going strong and  it’s time to determine what type of cylinder will work best for your organization.  Three different types of cylinders are available: standard, interchangeable, and eCylinders.  We will review standard and interchangeable cylinders this week, but come back next Tuesday to brush up on eCylinders, they need a post in-and-of themselves.  Each cylinder is available in any system type; however, there are some differences to consider.

Key System Cylinder Types

Standard Cylinders

 

Standard cylinders, pictured right, have a circular core – also known as a plug.  The advantage of standard cylinders is less expensive up-front cost.  However, as with many cheaper alternatives; the long-term cost is usually more than interchangeable cylinders due to the fact that a technician must be called to rekey the locks.  Another consideration is hardware compatibility; not all cylinders are compatible with all hardware.

 

Interchangeable Cylinders

Unlike standard cylinders, interchangeable cylinders (IC), pictured right, look like a figure eight.  The beauty of an interchangeable cylinder is the do-it-yourself option when it comes to rekeys.  A control key is used to remove and install the cylinder – as long as your store personnel have the keys for the old and new cylinders (which they can get from the key system vendor), a lock change can be performed in under a minute.

One major consideration for switching to an IC system is that locking hardware must be compatible with the cylinders; an interchangeable cylinder can’t be used in a lever set that currently has a standard cylinder in it.   There are two formats of interchangeable cylinders: large and small; there’s no hidden meaning behind it – small format = small figure eight core, large format = large figure eight core.  They function the same; however, a small format interchangeable core cannot be installed in large format compatible hardware and vice versa.  As such, switching to an IC system can be costly at the onset.

 

Don’t forget – next Tuesday it’s on to eCylinders and I’ll discuss some basic access control.  If you have any questions about standard or interchangeable cores (or key systems in general), let us know in the comments and we will review them next week!

 

Check out our Key Systems 101 article for more information.

 

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Check out the rest of our series:
The Five Critical Components of Key System Management
Key System Types: Restricted, Unrestricted, and Proprietary
Proprietary & Restricted Key Systems
Standard Cylinders versus Interchangeable Cylinders – What’s the Difference?
eCylinders – The Amazing, The Mundane, and The Considerations
Rekeyable Cylinders – Fast, Easy, & Cost Effective
Master Key Systems – Controlled Access With One Key
Key System Policies – Keep Your System In Tact
Key System Procedures – A Roadmap for Maintaining Your System’s Integrity
Rekey Policies & Procedures – Three Elements to Consider
Key System Records Management – 4 Cornerstones