Pneumatic Locks vs Electric Locks
Pneumatic Locks
SAFETY
A much safer and durable system, providing a longer stroke with the safety ladders and therefore much more contact between the locks and safety mechanism.
COST OF OWNERSHIP
In general, compressed air is already available in the workshop and the minimal amount required to operate the locks means they are effectively free to run. A low cost and extremely compact transformer is all that’s needed.
RELIABILITY
This system has been employed for decades, and like many existing Cascos features they were the original concept that has never been improved upon. ‘Bomb-proof’ is how our technicians often describe a locking system that we literally never have to attend to.
Electric Locks
SAFETY
A more complicated system requiring more components. A shorter stroke of the locks, requiring cams to operate, means less contact area for the locking mechanism
COST OF OWNERSHIP
More components, a larger and considerably more expensive transformer, and the continual cost of electricity required to operate the locks mean that this system is vastly more expensive to own.
RELIABILITY
Frequent failures in the electric coils, which are placed under immense pressure to cope with the faster operation required to compensate for the shorter stroke, is probably the most common criticism of electric locks. Compounding this is the low-cost nature of the system (which is basically why lift manufacturers are using it) is the use of cheap components from the Far East.
