Padlocks Technical Advice Centre

This this 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:

We need different levels of high security padlocks. Is this something you can do?

We need a couple of different sized padlocks but we are not sure which will suit us best. For some of our sites we need the highest security you have but there is also a number of places where security is required but not quite at the same level. Also, for the highest security padlock, […]

Can make a standard padlock more secure?

A customer recently asked us if a padlock could be made more secure by adding nuts or washers to the shackle, effectively making a closed shackle padlock. The answers is Yes and No. As seen here we added two stainless nuts to a marine stainless padlock to protect an outboard engine. It clearly does protect […]

Padlock for shutter control panel?

I have just installed a cover over our control panel for our security shutters. Out insurance company have requested that we lock this security cover with a padlock conforming to BS EN 12320 CEN Security Grade 4 or LPs1654 Grade 2+. Can you recommend a padlock that will conform to their requirements? Thank you for […]

What is the best padlock for a shipping container?

Q: We have a shipping container with an enclosed lock box on the front which makes it difficult to get a big padlock up inside and locked onto the metal ring. Is there a good solution? A: We get this question a lot since containers are being used more and more for work site and […]

What type of chain for my closed shackle padlock?

You advise that a decent closed shackle padlock is needed for maximum security but it is impossible to get two chain links into a close shackle padlock. Does this mean that closed shackle lock are only any good for attaching to a bolt or a hasp and staple? It is true, a closed shackle padlock […]

Double locking = Twice the security

This is a Squire CP60 padlock and on the face of it is just a fairly standard open shackle padlock. However, there is a feature within this lock which makes it significantly better. This goes for all padlock that use double ball bearing locking. Padlocks shackles (U bar) are usually secured into the body 1 […]

Attack / Strength testing of padlocks

You may have read the Insurance Grading article also and noticed that there are specific strengths that a padlock must meet in order to gain a specific insurance grade. As such, many of the major manufacturers have testing facilities to ensure their products meet the grade before taking them to market. Below is a video […]

A guide to Sold Secure Padlocks

Sold Secure is one of a number of testing standards for locks and padlocks. You will see the name or logo on many bike locks and very occasionally on padlocks. Sometimes your insurance company might specifically ask you for a padlock with a Sold Secure rating of Bronze, Silver or Gold. The standard was originally […]

SEAP and CPNI Approved Padlocks

Important Note: SEAP (Security Equipment Assessment Panel) was renamed CPNI in 2013 so for all intents and purposes they are the same thing but many people still use the SEAP name, probably since it is slightly easier to remember.   CPNI stands for Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure. They have many documents that […]

What padlock does my insurance company require?

It is likely you will be asked for one of the following by your insurance company: 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 […]