600 lbs vs 1200 lbs Magnetic Door Lock for Office Doors

You're choosing a magnetic door lock for an office, and the catalog gives you two common sizes: 600 lbs (272 kg) and 1200 lbs (545 kg). Both lock the door the same way, so the right choice comes down to which door you're securing and what it has to resist.

In this guide we compare the Visionis VIS-ML600LED and VIS-ML1200LED side by side, explain when each one makes sense, and show you the complete kits so you can order everything for the door in one place.

What does "600 lbs" or "1200 lbs" actually mean?

The number is the holding force: how hard someone would have to pull or push on the door, straight against the lock, to separate the magnet from its steel plate (the armature).

Both work the same way. When the lock gets power, the magnet bonds to the armature plate mounted on the door. Cut the power, and the door releases. That makes every maglock fail-safe: it unlocks when power is lost.

Quick answer: for interior office doors such as conference rooms, private offices, supply rooms and suite doors, a 600 lbs maglock is usually enough. For the main entrance, glass storefront doors, IT and server rooms, or any door you expect someone to force, step up to 1200 lbs.

💡 New to maglocks? Start with our beginner's guide: How Do Magnetic Locks Work?

600 lbs vs 1200 lbs magnetic door lock: side-by-side comparison

The biggest differences are holding force and size; the electrical side is nearly identical, so both locks wire up the same way.

Source: Visionis product catalog, September 2025.

What the table tells you

• Same wiring, same power supply. Both run on 12 or 24 VDC with the same current draw, so moving from 600 to 1200 lbs doesn't change your power supply sizing.
• The 1200 lbs magnetic door lock is much bigger. The magnet is about 1 in (25 mm) wider and over 0.5 in (14 mm) deeper. Measure the header (the top of the frame) before you order.
• Both tell you the door is really locked. The LED turns green only when the plate is bonded, and red when there's power but no bond, which helps you spot a door that isn't closing all the way. 

When is a 600 lbs magnetic door lock enough for an office door?

A 600 lbs maglock is the practical choice for doors that control who walks in, rather than doors that have to stop a forced entry.

Good fits in an office:

• Conference rooms and private offices
• Supply rooms, file rooms and storage closets
• Interior suite doors inside a building that's already locked at the main entrance
• Doors with a narrow frame header, where the slimmer 1.65 in (42 mm) magnet fits better
• Projects with many doors, where the lighter, smaller lock is quicker to mount

The 600 lbs lock is also easier to hide on a clean, modern frame, which matters in front-of-house areas like reception.

When should you choose a 1200 lbs magnetic door lock?

Choose 1200 lbs when the door is a target, gets heavy daily use, or is large enough that leverage works against the lock.

Good fits in an office:

• The main entrance or the building's front door (mounted on the inside, since the lock is rated indoor only)
• Glass storefront doors and aluminum doors at street level
• IT, server and network rooms 
• Rooms with cash, inventory, records or equipment
• Tall or wide doors, and wood doors that can flex when someone pulls hard 

Why the extra force helps: someone pulling or kicking a door rarely pulls straight. Leverage at the opposite corner of a large or flexible door multiplies their effort against the lock, so a higher rating leaves more margin.

The trade-off is size and weight. The magnet is 2.64 in (67 mm) wide and 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg), so check that the frame header has room, and use the VIS-ZL1200 L and Z bracket when the door swings in.

Not sure? A quick decision checklist

If you answer yes to any of these, go with 1200 lbs:

1. Is this the main way into the building or suite?
2. Does the door face the street, a parking lot or a public hallway?
3. Is there something valuable or sensitive behind it?
4.  Is the door taller or wider than a standard door, or made of wood that flexes?

If you answered no to all four, a 600 lbs maglock will do the job.

Do 600 lbs and 1200 lbs maglocks work without power?

No. Both are fail-safe, so they unlock the moment power is cut. That's what lets people always get out, and it's why maglocks are a common choice for exit doors.

The flip side: during a power outage, the door is unlocked. If the door must stay secure, add a battery backup or a UPS to the power supply so the lock keeps holding. If the door has to stay locked with no power at all, a fail-secure electric strike is the better fit; see our Electric Door Strike vs Maglock comparison.

How to wire a magnetic door lock in an office

A maglock on its own won't lock or unlock a door. It needs power and a way to release it, which is why we recommend ordering the whole system together. Wiring is the same for the 600 lbs and 1200 lbs models:

1. Power supply: 12 or 24 VDC, sized for the lock (500 mA at 12 V or 250 mA at 24 V) plus your other devices.
2. Entry device: a standalone keypad, card reader or key fob receiver that cuts power to let authorized people in.
3. Exit device: a push to exit button or a request to exit (REX) sensor on the secure side, so anyone can leave.
4. Bracket, if needed: an L and Z bracket for doors that swing in toward the lock.

 

More diagrams and manuals are in our document library and on our installation videos page. Doors used as an exit should be installed by a qualified installer or licensed electrician, especially when the system ties into a fire alarm.

 

Where to buy 600 lbs and 1200 lbs magnetic door locks for your office

FPC Security is an authorized Visionis distributor, and both locks are in stock in our Magnetic Door Locks collection, sold on their own or in complete kits.

Everything you need in one kit

 

Managing many employees or several doors? Our Access Control Panels with Software collections let you add and remove users from one place.

 

Why buy from FPC Security

• Free shipping within the USA, including Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii; orders ship in 3 to 6 business days
• 3-year warranty on Visionis products
• Lifetime technical support from real people, in English and Spanish
• 30-day no-questions-asked returns
• 13 years in business, 40,000+ customers served and 500+ Google reviews

Not sure which lock fits your frame or your existing system? Call our tech support team before you buy at 1-888-504-3318, and we'll confirm compatibility.

 

Troubleshooting tips for 600 lbs and 1200 lbs maglocks

• The maglock doesn't lock on its own. A maglock needs power and a control device, such as an exit button, keypad or receiver, wired in as a system. Check that power reaches the lock and that the control device isn't holding it released.
• The LED is red instead of green. The lock has power, but the armature plate isn't fully bonded. Check the alignment, and make sure the door closer or latch isn't stopping the door from closing all the way.
• The door can be pulled open with less force than expected. Usually the plate touches only part of the magnet face. Realign it so it sits flat and centered.
• The lock feels warm. That's normal for an electromagnet. Make sure the voltage jumper matches your power supply (12 V or 24 V); a mismatch can make it run hotter.
• The door unlocks during outages. That's fail-safe behavior working as designed. Add a battery backup or UPS if the door needs to stay locked through short outages.

 

FAQ

Is a 600 lbs maglock strong enough for an office door?

For most interior office doors, yes. For main entrances, street-facing doors and rooms with valuables, choose 1200 lbs.

Do 600 lbs and 1200 lbs maglocks use the same power supply?

Yes. Both run on 12 or 24 VDC and draw the same current, so the same power supply works for either one.

Can I upgrade from a 600 lbs to a 1200 lbs maglock later?

Usually, yes. The wiring is the same, but the 1200 lbs magnet is larger, so check that the frame header has room and swap the bracket for the VIS-ZL1200 if you use one. 

Can I install a 1200 lbs maglock outdoors?

No. The VIS-ML600LED and VIS-ML1200LED are rated indoor only, so mount them on the inside of the door. For gates and exposed doors, look at our outdoor gate maglocks.

Do I need a bracket?

You need an L and Z bracket when the door swings in toward the side where the lock is mounted. Use the VIS-ZL600 for the 600 lbs lock and the VIS-ZL1200 for the 1200 lbs lock. 

Where can I buy a 600 lbs or 1200 lbs magnetic door lock for my office?

You can order both directly from FPC Security, an authorized Visionis distributor, with free shipping within the USA, a 3-year warranty and lifetime tech support.

Ready to secure your office door? 

Use 600 lbs for interior office doors and 1200 lbs for main entrances and anything worth protecting. Then order the complete kit, so the lock, power, entry and exit devices all arrive together.

👉 Shop Magnetic Door Locks. Questions during installation? Our team is one call or email away at 1-888-504-3318 or support@fpc-security.com, Monday to Friday, business hours.

 

Fire code disclaimer

Before purchasing, it is recommended that the customer checks with their local fire authority to see if there is any additional product they may need in order to comply with the local fire codes. We are not responsible for the improper installation of our product(s) or any type of fees that can be incurred by not complying with your local fire authority.