Lock cylinder: What is a lock cylinder and how does it work?

The lock cylinder is a component, usually made of metal, used in a lock, or more precisely, in a profile cylinder lock. It is essentially the central component for access control, as the cylinder core of a lock cylinder can only turn when the correct profile key is inserted into the keyway, ensuring the correct alignment of the tumblers or pins.

Main Components of a Lock Cylinder

A standard lock cylinder consists of the following main components:

• Cylinder housing: The cylinder housing is typically cylindrical and is mounted in the lock case. Inside the housing are the cylinder core, the tumblers or tumbler pins, and the pin springs of the locking cylinder.
• Cylinder core: The cylinder core is the central component of a lock cylinder. It can only be turned when the correct profile key is inserted into its keyway. If the profile key has the correct profile, the locking pins in the cylinder core and housing are aligned so that the core can rotate. If a profile key with the wrong profile is inserted, the locking pins prevent the core from turning.
• Locking pins: The locking pins (also known as tumblers) are located in the cylinder core and are responsible for ensuring that the rotation of the cylinder core is only possible when the correct profile key ensures the correct alignment of the locking pins.
• Pin springs:Thanks to the spring pins in the cylinder core, the locking pins can be pushed down and brought into the correct position by inserting the profile key.
• Lock bit: The locking bolt protrudes from the cylinder housing and is the component that, after successful rotation of the cylinder core, actuates and sets the bolt in motion. When locking a door, the locking bolt retracts the bolt into the strike plate. When unlocking a door, the locking bolt extends the bolt out of the strike plate.

How a lock with a cylinder works explained simply

A lock equipped with a cylinder is a profile cylinder lock. Profile cylinder locks are very common in Germany, as they are the standard lock for house or apartment doors. Below, we explain how they work in the simplest and most understandable way possible:

How a lock with a cylinder works explained simply

A lock equipped with a cylinder is a profile cylinder lock. Profile cylinder locks are very common in Germany, as they are the standard lock for house or apartment doors. Below, we explain how they work in the simplest and most understandable way possible:

1. In order for a profile cylinder lock to be locked or unlocked, the appropriate profile key must be inserted into the keyway of the lock cylinder.
2. The profile key essentially presses down the locking pins in the cylinder core and housing, aligning them precisely to allow the cylinder core to rotate. This downward pressure is achieved by spring pins. If the key does not have the correct profile, the locking pins will block the core from rotating.
3. When the cylinder core is turned, the locking bolt of the cylinder actuates the bolt. When the lock is engaged, the bolt engages the strike plate, which is mounted in the door frame. When the lock is disengaged, the locking bolt pulls the bolt out of the strike plate, allowing the door to be opened again.
4. The fact that a door can be closed even without locking is due to the latch. As soon as the door is closed, it engages in the strike plate. Unlike the bolt, the latch is not operated by the cylinder, but by the door handle.

Professional Installation of Lock Cylinders

Amper Locksmith Service is a company with extensive expertise and experience, offering professional installation of lock cylinders in the districts of Aichach-Friedberg, Augsburg, Dachau, Freising, Fürstenfeldbruck, Landsberg am Lech, Munich, and Starnberg. Our highly trained locksmiths are experts in all components of a cylinder. Whether it’s the cylinder housing, the cylinder core, the profile key, the tumblers (tumbler pins), the pin springs, or the locking bolt, we’ve got you covered. If you need a true expert for lock cylinder installation, you’ve come to the right place.

Repair of Lock Cylinder Components

Thanks to our expertise and specialist knowledge, we are able to repair every single component of a lock cylinder. Should any part of your front door’s lock cylinder be defective, we will gladly come to you to professionally resolve the problem. We can easily handle even the most complex repairs. This is because Mario Pichelmaier, the owner of Amper Locksmith Service, is a third-generation locksmith.

Replacement of Lock Cylinders and Cylinder Components

In many cases, repairing a damaged lock cylinder simply doesn’t make sense anymore because purchasing a new lock cylinder and thus replacing it is faster, more effective, and cheaper. Even if you initially requested a repair, as a customer-friendly locksmith service, we will advise you to replace it if we determine on-site that replacement is more financially advantageous for you than repair.

Professional lock cylinder work at a transparent fixed price

Amper Locksmith Service is a company that places great value on a values-driven approach. Our core values ​​include integrity, honesty, sincerity, and fairness. For this reason, we are happy to offer all our lock cylinder work at a transparent fixed price. The fixed price applicable to you will always be quoted before any work begins, so you won’t experience any unpleasant surprises. Unfortunately, unpleasant surprises are not uncommon in the locksmith industry. Therefore, we believe it is all the more important to send a clear message against fraud and rip-offs with our fixed-price guarantee.

Emergency Cylinder Replacement and Installation

Unfortunately, it often happens that a component of a lock cylinder malfunctions late at night or on weekends. In such a case, it is important to be able to contact a locksmith who is not only active during normal business hours, but also at night, on weekends, and on public holidays. Amper Locksmith Service is a locksmith with a 24/7 emergency service. This means that you can contact us for professional lock cylinder work even late at night, early in the morning, on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. In an emergency, one of our on-duty technicians will be at your location within approximately…30 to 45 minutes at your location, as long as your address is in one of the following districts: Aichach-Friedberg, Augsburg, Dachau, Freising, Fürstenfeldbruck, Landsberg am Lech, Munich or Starnberg.

Cylinder work carried out by a reputable company

Amper Locksmith Service is a company with an excellent reputation. The fact that this emergency locksmith service is renowned is particularly evident in the fact that Mario Pichelmaier and his team are also active for various types of authorities. The authorities that regularly commission Amper Locksmith Service include tax offices, customs authorities, police stations, bailiff offices, municipalities, district offices, city administrations (districts, boroughs), and many other offices and institutions. If you want to ensure that your cylinder lock work is carried out professionally and without the wrong locksmith, it’s best to contact the reputable and customer-friendly Amper Locksmith Service directly.