Locksmith Swords glossary

15 terms explained

PSA Licence (Private Security Authority)

The statutory licence required by law under the Private Security Services Act for any locksmith installing, opening or repairing locks in Ireland.

Euro Profile Cylinder

The figure-of-eight barrel lock fitted through the middle of uPVC, composite, aluminium and patio door handles.

Anti-Snap 3-Star Cylinder (TS007)

High-security euro cylinder with a hardened core and a sacrificial front section that breaks away cleanly while leaving the interior locking cam blocked.

Sacrificial Snap Line

A machined groove near the outer face of an anti-snap cylinder designed to shear first if gripped with mole grips, triggering an internal cam lock.

uPVC Multipoint Locking Strip

The full-height stainless-steel strip recessed into the edge of a uPVC or composite door that throws hooks, rollers and a deadbolt into the frame when you lift the handle.

Centre Gearbox (Lock Case)

The internal mechanism in the middle of a multipoint strip that links the handle spindle and euro cylinder to the top and bottom locking rods.

Spindle & Follower

The square steel bar connecting the inside and outside door handles through the follower hub inside the gearbox.

Split-Spindle Gearbox

A front-door gearbox where the outside handle cannot open the latch without a key, even when the door is closed without lifting the handle.

BS 3621 5-Lever Mortice Deadlock

Insurance-approved deadlock recessed into the edge of a timber door, with five internal brass levers and anti-drill steel plates.

Rim Automatic Deadlatch (Nightlatch)

Surface-mounted latch on a timber front door (often called a Yale lock) that deadlocks automatically when the door closes.

Thumbturn Cylinder

A euro cylinder operated by a key from the outside and a rotary thumb turn on the inside for quick escape without a key.

Keyed-Alike Cylinders

Two or more door lock barrels assembled to share the exact same key combination so one key opens every external door.

Strike Plate (Frame Keep)

The adjustable metal pocket screwed into the door frame that receives the latch, deadbolt, hooks or rollers when the door locks.

Toe-and-Heel Glazing Adjustment

Packing the diagonal corners of a double-glazed door panel inside its uPVC sash to lift the handle side and stop the lock binding.

Non-Destructive Entry (NDE)

Opening a locked door with specialist picks, decoders or latch tools so neither the door nor the lock barrel is damaged.