Latch combines security and access convenience

Paul Boughton

Southco's new R4-EM electronic rotary latch combines robust rotary latch security and electronic access convenience in a single integrated product.

Unlike a standard mechanical latch linked with a separate solenoid actuator, the gearmotor drive in the R4-EM is said to deliver a better 'feel' to latch actuation and is more efficient in terms of lower power requirements and higher load capability. This provides versatility for performance across a wide range of applications from storage compartments on truck, bus, off-highway, construction, and agricultural vehicles, to recreational vehicle baggage doors, to storage compartments or access doors on medical, electronics, self-service and industrial equipment.

The compact, integrated latch design also makes the R4-EM easy to install, operate, and maintain. The 65 x 69 x 19mm housing requires little space and minimises protrusion inside the compartment; it installs with just two bolts to keep installation costs low. Its mechanical design and all-metal construction provide excellent vandal resistance with long-term durability and reliability.

This new latch operates on 12-24V DC supply with a current draw during actuation of less than 500mA at 12V. Its microprocessor control accepts a variety of electronic actuation signals including wireless devices such as proximity cards or RF (radio frequency) key fobs, hard-wired numeric keypads or swipe-card terminals, smart-reader devices, biometric devices and remote computer or network security system signals. An integral microswitch option is available to provide a 'latch opened/closed' status signal for remote monitoring.

For more information, visit www.southco.com

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