March 9th, 2023
Written by Jeff Seymour
Yale as a company was founded in 1844 by Linus Yale. He was a very skilled engineer and was the first engineer to produce the pin tumbler locking mechanism.
Yale’s pin tumbler system is still used today in cylinders throughout the world. I will talk about the different types of cylinders and the levels of security each type of modern Yale cylinder achieves.
The Yale rim cylinders are a pin and tumbler system. They are used on doors and operate with a key and knob from either side of the door.
Yale produces three types of rim cylinders, and they come in two finishes, Brass or chrome.
The standard rim cylinder Yale produce is part of their essential range and can be found throughout the United Kingdom.
The second is the 1109-rim cylinder. This is an upgrade to the standard rim cylinder to make it resistant to bumping, a common practice used to gain entry without using the key supplied with the cylinder.
The third rim cylinder Yale produce is the X5 6-pin rim cylinder. This cylinder is anti-pick, anti-drill, and anti-bumping and carries the British Kitemark, showing it is insurance approved.
The euro cylinder is a different size and shape than the rim cylinder.
These types of cylinders can be seen throughout Europe. They are part of a Multipoint Locking System. Most Euro cylinders are designed to resist picking and lock snapping to bypass the cylinder and gain entry without using a key.
The standard Yale Euro cylinder is part of their essential range and produces a basic level of security.
Yale's Platinum range of Euro cylinders is part of their high-security range.
As with all Yale cylinders, they come in two different finishes, Brass and chrome
The euro cylinder comes in many different sizes. A standard size would be 45/45, meaning from the middle of the cylinder, you can measure 45mm to each end. These cylinders still operate using the old pin and tumbler system but are engineered in a way that makes it very difficult to bypass without the key. In addition, they come with the highest certification in the United Kingdom for locks and security, this being TS007:2014.
They carry the British kitemark and are insurance approved.
These cylinders have several lines of defence, Anti-Snap, Anti-Pick, Anti-Bump, Anti-Screw, Anti-Pull and Anti-Drill.
These cylinders replaced the Superior range of Yale Euro cylinders. The Superior range and the Superior 3 Star had problems where the cylinder would jam or the key would not go into the cylinder, making it impossible to use. These can be replaced using the new Platinum cylinder.
What does keyed alike actually mean?
Keyed alike means two or more cylinders can be operated using the same key. The cylinder pins must match each cylinder. It is achieved by dismantling the cylinders and using a pinning kit to re-pin the tumbler.
Keying alike a cylinder is always a job for a professional locksmith with the experience to carry out this type of locksmithing work. If you require a locksmith in Winchester to key alike your cylinders please get in touch.
All Yale cylinders can be replaced. Sometimes, this is known as barrel replacement.
It is always good practice to use a professional locksmith because using the locksmith's experience will ensure that the cylinder is upgraded to a better security standard and the cylinder will be fitted correctly. At the same time, the British Standard certificate is still held.
Jeffrey Seymour is a renowned locksmith known for his exceptional skills in the field of locksmithing and security. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, he has a passion for helping people secure their homes and businesses, and his knowledge and expertise in the latest security technologies and techniques have made him a sought-after expert in the industry. Jeffrey's attention to detail and commitment to providing high-quality service has earned him a reputation as one of the best locksmiths in the business. He continues to educate himself on the latest advancements in the field and is dedicated to providing his clients with the best possible service and protection.
March 9th, 2023
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