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A magnetic lock only works properly when the magnet and armature plate meet squarely when the door closes.
On a straightforward outswing door, that alignment may be possible with standard mounting hardware. On an inswing door, the geometry changes. The armature plate is now on the opposite side of the door from where the magnet needs to sit, and a standard installation may no longer put the two surfaces face-to-face.
That is where a maglock Z bracket comes in.
Before ordering one, start with the door swing, the frame and the exact magnetic lock you are installing.
Start with the door swing, not the bracket
Stand on the secured side of the opening and check which way the door moves.
If the door swings away from you, a surface-mounted maglock can often be installed with the magnet at the header and the armature plate directly on the door. The exact hardware still depends on the lock and frame.
If the door swings toward you, the mounting surfaces are different. A Z bracket is commonly used to extend and reposition the armature plate so it can line up with the magnet when the door closes. Securitron specifically identifies its Z brackets for use on inswinging doors, while CDVI likewise uses adjustable Z-and-L bracket assemblies for inward-opening surface-maglock installations.
Work through these questions first:
- Which way does the door swing?
- Where can the magnet mount on the frame or header?
- Where will the armature plate sit when the door is closed?
- Do the two surfaces line up directly?
- Which bracket does the maglock manufacturer specify for that model?
If the magnet and armature cannot meet correctly with standard mounting, additional bracket hardware is probably required.
What does a Z bracket actually do?
A Z bracket moves the armature plate away from the face of an inswinging door and positions it beneath the magnet.
Most Z brackets use multiple pieces that can be adjusted during installation. One section attaches to the door, while another carries the armature plate. Adjusting the pieces changes how far the armature extends from the door.
That adjustability matters because the armature needs full contact with the face of the energized magnet.
Alarm Controls' current installation instructions illustrate the same process: install the magnet on an L bracket at the frame, assemble the adjustable Z bracket on the door, attach the armature to it, then close the door and adjust the assembly until the armature and magnet align correctly.
The bracket is therefore not adding holding force. It is creating the geometry the magnetic lock needs to achieve its intended contact.
L bracket vs. Z bracket: they solve different problems
L and Z brackets are often sold together because an inswing installation may need both, but they do different jobs.
|
Bracket |
What it does |
|
L bracket |
Creates or extends the mounting surface for the magnet at the frame or header |
|
Z bracket |
Repositions the armature plate on the door so it can meet the magnet |
|
L & Z set |
Provides both mounting solutions for compatible inswing installations |
|
U bracket |
Creates a mounting surface around some frameless glass doors |
For an inward-opening door, CDVI describes the L bracket as supporting the magnet at the frame while the Z bracket holds and positions the armature on the moving door.
Do not assume you need both pieces for every installation. Start with the lock manufacturer's mounting instructions and the physical opening.
When does your door need a Z bracket?
The most common case is an inswinging door with a surface-mounted magnetic lock.
You may need one when:
The armature cannot mount directly opposite the magnet. The bracket brings the armature into the correct plane.
The frame geometry creates too much offset. An adjustable Z bracket can compensate for the distance between the closed door and the magnet location.
The manufacturer specifies one for an inswing configuration. Securitron, for example, recommends appropriate Z-bracket hardware with certain face-drilled Magnalock models installed on inswing doors.
You are converting an existing opening to a maglock. Existing door stops and frame dimensions may leave no direct mounting position for the armature.
The key test is not simply “Is this an inswing door?” It is whether the approved mounting configuration for that specific lock requires the bracket to achieve correct alignment.
Match the bracket to the maglock model
A Z bracket is not universal just because another one looks the same.
Bracket dimensions, bolt locations, armature size and adjustment range need to match the magnetic lock. Manufacturers routinely specify brackets for particular lock families.
All Security Equipment currently carries several L and Z bracket options for compatible FAS magnetic locks:
- Model H-B1022 L & Z Bracket Set for FAS H300HC — $29.00
- Model ASE-H-B1012 L & Z Bracket Kit — $40.00
- Model FAS-H-B1002 L & Z Bracket Set — $45.00
Start with the maglock model number and select the bracket listed for that lock rather than choosing by appearance or approximate size.
Alignment matters more than tightening everything down
During installation, the armature plate needs enough movement to seat correctly against the magnet.
Alarm Controls specifically instructs installers not to overtighten the armature assembly because the plate must be able to rock slightly and align with the magnet. The final installation should then be tested repeatedly by opening, closing, energizing and de-energizing the lock.
That is an important distinction. A bracket can be mechanically secure while the maglock still performs poorly if the armature is crooked or only touching part of the magnet surface.
Set the alignment first, then finish tightening the adjustable bracket according to the manufacturer's instructions.
What about glass doors?
Glass changes the mounting problem again.
You generally cannot treat a frameless glass door like a wood or hollow-metal door and screw the bracket directly into it. Specialized U brackets can create a mounting surface around the glass, with the appropriate L or Z hardware then attached to that assembly.
CDVI, for example, specifies an additional U bracket when fitting its magnetic-lock brackets to compatible glass doors.
For glass installations, check door thickness, bracket compatibility and the complete manufacturer-approved mounting arrangement before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Do all maglocks need a Z bracket?
No. Z brackets are primarily used where the door swing and mounting geometry prevent the armature plate from aligning directly with the magnet. They are commonly required for surface maglocks on inswing doors.
Can I use any Z bracket with my magnetic lock?
No. Match the bracket to the magnetic lock model. Hole spacing, armature dimensions and adjustment ranges can differ between manufacturers and lock families.
What is the difference between an L bracket and a Z bracket?
An L bracket generally helps mount or reposition the magnet at the frame. A Z bracket mounts to the moving door and repositions the armature plate so it can meet the magnet.
Does a Z bracket increase maglock holding force?
No. Its job is positioning. Proper alignment allows the armature and magnet to make the contact required for the lock to perform as designed.
Can I use a Z bracket on a glass door?
Possibly, but the installation may also require a compatible U bracket or other glass-door hardware. Follow the maglock and bracket manufacturer's instructions rather than mounting directly through the glass.
Check the swing, then match the lock
The order is: door swing, frame geometry, maglock model, then bracket.
If the door opens inward and the armature cannot sit directly across from the magnet, a Z bracket is often the piece that makes the installation possible. An L bracket may also be required to position the magnet at the header.
Write down the exact lock model before ordering. You can browse magnetic locks and mounting options at All Security Equipment, then match the lock to the specified L and Z bracket set instead of trying to make a similar-looking bracket fit on site.
