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Padlocks Technical Advice Centre

This is our dedicated help, advice and testing results section for padlocks. Every time we get a good question from a customer, or asked to test a product, then we post the answer or results here. Use the list of Categories or the Search Box below to find the answer you're looking for. Don't worry you can get back to your basket our products by clicking our logo above.

We've also created a concise guide with the most commonly asked questions to download and print here:

Are combination padlocks as good as those with keys?

The simple answer is no. The mechanism of a combination padlock is such that it cannot be as strong as a keyed padlock. A combination padlock can also be cracked over time simply be trying each code in turn. Rarely will an insurance company cover you when using a combination padlock. They are however hugely […]

What are the different types of padlock?

Padlocks come in many shapes and sizes each with their own properties to increase security, make them more convenient to use or protect them from the weather. Here we explain their merits and what makes them ideal for different situations. The Closed Shackle Padlock A common design is the closed shackle padlock. This means that […]

Do I need a fully weatherproof padlock?

A fully weatherproof padlock is one that uses 100% stainless and non-corrosive materials. They are also know as marine padlocks and suitable for saline and other extreme environments. This is a common question and often the answer is no. The first thing to seize up and prevent a padlock from functioning properly is the internal […]

What are Keyed Alike Padlocks?

For convenience many people will buy a number of padlocks and want them all to be identical and work from the same set of keys. These are known as ‘Keyed Alike padlocks’ and are sometimes also called ‘suited padlocks‘ or ‘same key padlocks‘. Since their cost is often only marginally more expensive than ‘keyed different’ […]

Which padlock does my insurance company require?

Your insurance company is likely to ask you for one of the following padlocks: 1. You must have a 5 lever padlock 2. You must have a closed shackle padlock 3. You must have a CEN graded padlock of 3 or more 4. You must have a Sold Secure padlock It is firstly important to […]