In short:
- A padlock is only as strong as the hasp, staple or chain it's attached to. Choose them as a set.
- EN 12320 grades padlocks from 1 to 6, with 6 the highest. Makers' own scales, such as Master Lock's basic, high and max, can't be compared across brands.
- For gates in the open, look at the corrosion rating as well as the security grade.
- A padlocked burglar bar or gate on an escape route needs a key that everyone inside can reach quickly in an emergency.
- We don't cut keys. If you want one key for several padlocks, buy a keyed-alike set from the maker.
Where padlocks earn their place
Most Johannesburg homes have at least one padlock doing real work: on a side gate, a chain through a palisade, an opening section of burglar bars, a garden shed, a pool-pump housing, or a gate that's only used now and then. These locks live outdoors all year, and a padlock that costs little is often guarding something worth far more.
Choosing well comes down to five questions: how much security you need, what the shackle is like, what the body is made of, what it's attached to, and how the keys will be managed.
Security grades: three scales that don't match
Packaging and product pages use several different systems, and the numbers don't translate between them.
| System | Scale | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| EN 12320 (European standard) | Security grades 1 to 6; 6 is highest | Independent tests on the padlock and padlock fittings, including the shackle or staple. The code also carries a corrosion grade. |
| Master Lock protection levels | Basic, high, max | The maker's guide to the risk level the lock suits, from low-risk home use up to high-risk sites |
| Other makers' own scales | Varies by brand | Useful for comparing locks within one brand only |
Union explains that EN 12320 testing covers things such as the number of effective key differs, resistance to force and torque on the locking mechanism, and attack on the body, shackle and staple. If a padlock states an EN 12320 grade, that's the most comparable number you'll get. Union's Shield range, for example, lists open-shackle padlocks at grade 4 and grade 5.
Master Lock's own advice is simple: when in doubt, choose stronger protection within your budget, especially for busy or higher-risk spots.
The shackle: the part that takes the strain
- Material. Master Lock's basic range already uses a hardened steel shackle to resist cutting and sawing. A plain, unhardened shackle is fine for a shed full of garden pots, not for your main gate.
- Exposure. Master Lock describes shrouded shackles as limiting the exposure of the shackle. Closed-shackle padlocks, such as Union's Battleship, go further, with the body wrapped around the shackle. The catch is fit: a closed-shackle lock needs a hasp designed for it.
- Clearance. Choose a shackle that just fits through the hasp or chain with room to close. A long shackle that leaves a big gap gives less protection and rattles in the wind.
- Thickness. The shackle has to pass through the hole in the hasp or the link of the chain. Measure the hole before you buy.
The body and the weather
Outdoor padlocks face sun, dust, summer storms and the occasional hosepipe. Master Lock sorts its locks into three environments: indoor, weather resistant for typical outdoor conditions, and severe weather for harsher conditions such as coastal areas, extreme heat or cold and heavy rain. Weather-resistant materials it lists include brass, stainless steel, laminated steel, nickel plating and vinyl covers.
EN 12320 includes a corrosion grade alongside the security grade. Union's explanation is that grade 1 covers internal use and grade 3 covers external use. For a gate or burglar bar that's rained on, look for an external corrosion grade or the maker's outdoor rating, not only the security number.
Hasps, staples and chains
EN 12320 covers "padlocks and padlock fittings" for a reason. A strong padlock on a thin hasp held by a couple of small screws just moves the weak point.
- Match the hasp or staple to the padlock's level, and fix it so the screws or bolts are hidden when the lock is closed. On steel gates, a welded fitting is usually more solid than a bolted-on one.
- Use a chain whose links are at least as tough as the shackle, and keep it short enough that it can't be lifted over the gate post.
- On burglar bars with an opening section, check that the fitting the padlock goes through is part of the steelwork, not a light bracket added later.
- Check that the lock doesn't sit where it rubs on paint or masonry each time the gate moves. Rubbing wears the finish and lets rust in.
If the gate itself doesn't close properly, a padlock won't fix it. Our article on pedestrian gate lock problems covers dropped gates, keepers and closers.
Escape routes come first
Burglar bars and security gates keep people out, but they can also keep people in. If an opening burglar bar or gate on a bedroom, passage or kitchen exit is padlocked, everyone in the house, including children and visitors, must know where the key is and be able to reach it quickly in the dark. A key kept on a hook nearby but out of reach from outside is one common approach. Never padlock the only way out of a room that people sleep in without a plan for getting out.
Keys: keyed alike and non-key-retaining
- Keyed alike. Master Lock sells keyed-alike sets, so one key opens several padlocks. That's handy for a house with three gates and a shed. Keyed-alike padlocks are normally bought as matching sets from the maker. We don't cut keys, so it isn't something that can be added afterwards.
- Non-key-retaining. Union describes several of its padlocks, such as the Battleship and Cruiser, as non-key retaining. Use these when you want the lock to stay on the gate, ready to close. Key-retaining padlocks work the other way: the key can't be taken out until the lock is closed, so you can't walk away and leave it hanging open.
- Spare keys. Many padlocks come with only one key or a few. Keep a spare somewhere safe from day one. If you lose every key, the padlock usually has to be removed and replaced.
For rental properties, it's worth recording padlock keys in the same register as door keys. See key control for landlords for a simple layout.
Looking after a padlock, and when to call
Follow the maker's care instructions for your specific padlock, and use the product it recommends. Master Lock, for example, recommends its own PTFE lubricant and says never to use dry graphite or silicone lubricant on its locks. It suggests cleaning and lubricating every three to six months, or every three months in very dusty or corrosive conditions. Another maker may specify something different, which is why there's no universal answer.
Call a locksmith when a padlock has seized shut, a key has snapped inside it, or the padlock protects a gate you need open now. We try non-destructive methods first and ask for proof of ownership or residence before opening anything. Our lock replacement service covers replacing padlocks and gate locks, and broken key extraction covers a key snapped in the lock.
As a fully mobile mobile locksmith in Johannesburg, open 24/7, we come out to you. There's an R250 call-out, the technician quotes on site before any work starts, and payment is by EFT, cash or card.
Questions
Is a heavier padlock always more secure?
Not necessarily. Look for a stated grade such as EN 12320, a hardened shackle and a fitting that's as strong as the lock. Weight alone tells you little.
Can you get me a padlock that uses my existing gate key?
No. We don't cut keys or match padlocks to existing keys. If you want one key for several padlocks, buy a keyed-alike set from the maker.
Brass or steel for an outside gate?
Both appear on Master Lock's list of weather-resistant materials. Pick the security level you need first, then check the maker's outdoor or corrosion rating for that model.
Need a locksmith to look at it?
If this hasn't solved the problem, our lock replacement service covers it. We're a mobile locksmith in Johannesburg, so we come to your door.
Sources and further reading
- Union: EN 12320 (standards and legislation) — security grades 1 to 6, test areas, corrosion grades for internal and external use
- Master Lock: Lock buying guide — basic, high and max protection; hardened and shrouded shackles; weather categories; keyed-alike sets
- Master Lock: Care and service of Master Lock padlocks — maker's lubricant recommendation, products to avoid, cleaning intervals
- ASSA ABLOY: Union padlocks — Shield range grades; closed-shackle and non-key-retaining Union padlocks