Ubiquiti UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG Fail-Safe Magnetic Lock
Overview
The Ubiquiti UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG is a fail-safe electromagnetic lock purpose-built for UniFi Access control systems. This lock defaults to the unlocked state during power loss—a critical safety feature for facilities where emergency egress compliance or regulatory requirements mandate that doors must be passable without electrical power. The 270 kg (595 lb) holding force handles standard single-entry doors in commercial, institutional, and server environments. Management integrates directly with the UniFi Access Hub, eliminating the need for separate access control infrastructure if you're already standardized on Ubiquiti.
Key Features
- 270 kg holding force: Sufficient for typical office, warehouse, and data center single-entry doors. This rating means the lock will retain a door against 270 kg of sustained pull force—real-world benefit is that an unauthorized person cannot defeat the lock through brute force under normal operation.
- Fail-safe unlock on power loss: The lock de-energizes and releases during power failure or hub disconnection. This is not a bug; it's a feature for facilities requiring emergency egress or operating in jurisdictions where doors cannot be left locked during electrical events. If your facility policy or fire code requires doors to remain passable during power outages, this is the correct choice. If you need the opposite behavior (fail-secure—locked even on power loss), do not select this model.
- Silent operation: Magnetic locking eliminates mechanical latches, solenoid clicks, and audible engagement sounds. Useful in quiet environments like offices, libraries, or secure facilities where acoustic discretion is valued.
- Low maintenance: No moving parts means no wear on latches or strike mechanisms. Over a multi-year deployment, this reduces service calls and replacement costs compared to electromechanical locks.
- Compact form factor, 13.5 lb (6.1 kg): Lightweight enough for standard aluminum or steel door frames without reinforcement. Weight is low enough that installation on most commercial doors requires no structural modification.
- Direct UniFi Access Hub integration: The lock pairs with the UniFi Access Hub for credential-based control, audit logging, and policy enforcement. If you're already running UniFi cameras, switches, or wireless access points, the UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG extends the same dashboard and API into physical access—single pane of glass for security operations.
Integration and Compatibility
The UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG operates only through the UniFi Access Hub; there is no standalone mode or alternative control method. The hub communicates with door readers (card, PIN, or biometric) and triggers the lock based on authentication success or scheduled policy. The hub can operate offline with cached credentials, but configuration and audit logs require periodic connectivity to a UniFi Network application (on-premises or UniFi Cloud). If your facility already uses UniFi cameras, network video recorders, or managed switches, this lock fits naturally into the same orchestration layer. If you're using a third-party access control system (HID, Salto, Honeywell, etc.), the UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG will not integrate; in that case, consider a reader-agnostic magnetic lock from another manufacturer.
Deployment Scenarios
The UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG is suited for:
- Office buildings and open campuses: Fail-safe unlocking during fire alarms or power events meets life-safety code. Credential control over daily access. Audit trail of who unlocked which door and when.
- Server rooms and secure closets: Protect infrastructure from casual access, but release automatically if power is cut or HVAC fails. Prevents accidental lockout of IT staff during emergencies.
- Data centers on UPS backup: Paired with UniFi Access Hub on battery backup, the lock remains controllable even during grid loss. Combine with a managed PoE power supply to ensure uninterrupted lock operation for critical access points.
- Multi-tenant facilities and warehouses: Standardize on UniFi hardware across dozens of doors. Central hub handles scheduling (e.g., unlock loading dock 6am–10pm weekdays). Single credential database eliminates per-door configuration.
Physical and Environmental Notes
Manufactured in China. The lock is designed for indoor installation on standard door frames. No IP rating is specified, so protect it from direct water spray or high-humidity environments. Operating temperature range and material composition are not detailed in available specifications. Consult UniFi Access documentation or contact the manufacturer for environmental limits if deploying in harsh conditions (extreme cold, high salt spray, or moisture-intensive spaces).
Power and Wiring
The UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG requires low-voltage DC power supplied by the UniFi Access Hub. Wiring is run from the hub to the lock; no separate power supply is needed. Installation involves running a 2-conductor cable through the door frame to the lock mechanism and ensuring proper alignment so the magnetic face contacts the strike plate. Refer to UniFi Access technical documentation for pin assignments, cable gauge, and maximum run length.
Critical Consideration: Fail-Safe vs. Fail-Secure
This is a fail-safe lock, meaning it unlocks on power loss. If your facility, insurance policy, or fire code requires doors to remain locked during power outages (fail-secure behavior), this product will not meet that requirement. Verify your local fire and building codes before purchase. Some jurisdictions mandate fail-safe for emergency egress, while others allow fail-secure for high-security areas. Confirm your requirement before committing to this model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG work with non-Ubiquiti readers or panels?
A: No. The lock is exclusive to the UniFi Access Hub ecosystem. It cannot be integrated with HID, Salto, Honeywell, or other third-party access control systems. If you're running a multi-vendor infrastructure, this lock is not compatible.
Q: What happens if the UniFi Access Hub loses power or network connectivity?
A: The lock will de-energize and unlock. The hub can operate with cached credentials offline for a limited period, but the fail-safe unlock behavior is always active. If continuous access control during power loss is required, pair the hub with a UPS battery backup.
Q: Is the 270 kg holding force enough for my double doors or high-traffic area?
A: The 270 kg rating is designed for standard single-entry doors. For double doors, french doors, or high-traffic loading areas, consult Ubiquiti's product range or consider a magnetic lock with a higher force rating from another manufacturer.
Q: Can I integrate the UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG with my existing Ubiquiti camera or NVR system?
A: Yes, if you already have UniFi cameras and an NVR, the UniFi Access Hub can be added to the same deployment. All three (cameras, NVR, access control) integrate into the same UniFi Network application for unified monitoring and policy. However, the lock itself operates through the Access Hub and does not connect directly to the NVR.
Q: Is there a fail-secure version of this lock?
A: Not from Ubiquiti. The UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG is fail-safe only. If fail-secure operation (locked on power loss) is required, evaluate other access control manufacturers' offerings.
Q: What is the warranty on the UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG?
A: Warranty terms are not specified in available documentation. Contact Ubiquiti or an B2B partner for coverage details and any extended service plans.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Ubiquiti UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG is a tactical fit for organizations already committed to UniFi infrastructure who need straightforward fail-safe locking without the complexity of electromechanical latches. The 270 kg holding force is honest—it handles typical office and server-room single-entry doors, nothing more. Where this lock shines is in facilities where fail-safe unlock during power loss is not just preferred but mandated: emergency egress in office buildings, data centers on backup power, and campuses operating under fire codes that require doors to remain passable during electrical events.
Technical Highlights:
- Fail-safe unlock on power loss: This is the defining spec. The lock de-energizes immediately on hub power loss or network disconnect, releasing the door. If your facility policy or fire code mandates this behavior, the UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG delivers it reliably. If you need fail-secure (locked even during outage), stop here and evaluate other brands.
- 270 kg holding force (595 lb): Sufficient for standard single-entry scenarios. Do not oversell this to double-door applications or high-traffic loading docks—the force is adequate, not excessive.
- Silent magnetic operation: No solenoid clicks or audible engagement. Over 3–5 years, zero wear on mechanical latches means fewer service visits and lower total cost of ownership compared to buzzer-style electromechanical locks.
- Compact 13.5 lb form factor: Lightweight installation on standard frames with no structural reinforcement needed. Matters when you're deploying across 20+ doors and want consistent, rapid installation.
Deployment Considerations:
- UniFi-only integration: This lock does not work with HID, Salto, Honeywell, or other access control systems. If your facility runs multi-vendor infrastructure, the UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG creates a silo. Plan accordingly or commit to UniFi ecosystem across all access points.
- Hub dependency: The lock is useless without the UniFi Access Hub. If the hub fails or loses power, the lock defaults to open. Pair with UPS backup on the hub if you need continued access control during grid outages. Without backup, power loss = automatic unlock.
- Fail-safe is not optional: You cannot configure this lock to remain locked on power loss. If your facility requires that behavior, select a fail-secure model from another vendor. Mixing fail-safe and fail-secure locks across a facility creates compliance risk.
The UA-LOCK-MAGNETIC-270KG is the right tool for UniFi-standardized campuses and data centers where fail-safe unlock is a design requirement, not a liability. Deploy it on emergency egress doors, server rooms with power-loss unlock mandates, and facilities where a single UniFi dashboard for cameras, switches, wireless, and access control reduces operational overhead. Do not force this lock into fail-secure scenarios or multi-vendor access control systems—it will disappoint.
