Access Door Locks

Access door lock with bolt eye and chain.

The most common device requiring a lock is a door. This is also true for the doors installed on electrostatic precipitators. Access door locks are the most plentiful locks in a precipitator key interlock system. Access door locks are also the locks that will prevent or allow access to the areas of the precipitator containing high voltage components. Access door locks are designed to retain their associated keys when unlocked and release the associated keys when locked.

Access door keys common to each isolatable gas path are keyed alike. For example, all the keys for Chamber "A" of a two-chambered precipitator would be identical. Chamber "A" keys would not work in Chamber "B" however because each chamber can be separately isolated and accessed.

Deadbolt type access door lock.

Access door locks come in many different shapes and styles. However, the most common access door interlock utilizes a bolt eye and chain to secure the door. This allows some flexibility for door misalignment, but maintains interlock system integrity. Generally, the lock is fixed permanently to the door frame and the bolt eye is attached to one end of a chain; the opposite end of the chain is affixed, via welding, to the door.

A deadbolt type lock may also be used for access doors. This type of lock, however, requires the accurate alignment of doors, which in an industrial environment is sometimes difficult to attain. This type of lock is especially useful in areas where no movement of the door is permitted until the interlock system is satisfied.