Power-on electromagnetic brakes for access control turnstiles

With a high-efficiency magnetic coil

At a glance
  • Industry Building Security
  • Requirement Complete locking of the turnstile arm
  • Solution Custom electromagnetic brake
  • Benefit Innovative technology for the market

Application overview

Application
Turnstiles for restricted areas in public facilities
Customer type
Access control system manufacturer
Scenario
Intermittent duty cycles
Working environment
Commercial premises
Usage conditions
  • Required engagement type: at standstill
  • Lubrication conditions: dry operation

The design challenge

The turnstile manufacturer required a system capable of instantly stopping and locking the arm in the event of an attempted intrusion, ensuring that the access point was fully and securely blocked. At the same time, to comply with safety requirements for public areas, the system had to release the passage automatically in the event of a power failure, allowing rapid evacuation in an emergency. The existing electromechanical actuator solutions, which involved high assembly costs, provided neither sufficiently effective locking nor adequate release times. In addition, installation inside a metal tube, with limited space for heat dissipation, caused noticeable overheating of the turnstile’s outer structure.

Summary
Before
  • Electromechanical actuator
  • Suboptimal turnstile locking
  • Slow opening in an emergency
Objective
  • Improved turnstile performance
  • Reduced heat generation

The custom Telcomec solution using the GDRC-F clutch configured as a brake

The solution developed by Telcomec was based on a standard GDRC-F series electromagnetic tooth clutch, specially adapted to operate as a brake. The coil body, equipped with two power lead wires, was secured to a plate to convert torque transmission into a motion-locking function. To meet the installation constraints, a special high-efficiency magnetic coil with low heat generation was also designed, providing high locking torque. When energised, the brake locks the arm. When the power supply is removed, it disengages automatically, leaving the passage clear in an emergency.

In practice
  • Custom adaptation of a standard electromagnetic tooth clutch
  • High-efficiency magnetic coil with low heat generation

How it works in the application

  • Function Locking/unlocking
  • Operating mode Power-on operation
  • Operating conditions Intermittent cycles, high torque
  • Key feature High locking torque
  • Toothing Triangular

Benefits for the machine manufacturer

Market-differentiating technology
Positive locking of the arm and automatic release in the event of a power failure make it possible to offer a more advanced solution than the conventional systems used by competitors, while also reducing assembly costs.
Greater operational reliability
The coil, optimised for high magnetic performance and low heat generation, ensures stable operation even in confined installation spaces, helping to extend the service life of the system.

Similar applications

Typical industries
Shopping centres Controlled-access areas

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