What are Keyed Alike, Master-Keyed and Keyed Different Padlocks?
Most padlocks are only opened by the specific key assigned to them. However, it can sometimes be convenient to have all the padlocks in a set use the same key or be opened by a single master key.
When they leave the factory a padlock is usually what we call “Keyed Different”. This means that each one off the production line is produced with a locking mechanism at random. On average two padlocks within about 500 will not be the same and will not be opened by the same key. This minimum number of repeats will be lower on smaller padlocks where less pins are used and on budget types where accuracy and quality control is lacking.
Keyed Alike
For convenience many people will buy for example 10 padlocks and want them all to be identical and work from the same set of keys. These are known as ‘Keyed Alike’ padlocks. Since their cost is often only marginally more expensive than ‘keyed different’ types, they are highly popular. A set of keyed alike padlocks is often known as a ‘Suite’. A single suite therefore contains all identical padlocks.
A common question is whether or not this will comprise security since inevitably other people will be using the same keyed alike set. The answer is yes others will have the same set but you must remember that in security, convenience always comes at a price. This risk can be reduce though since the more premium brands of padlock will have many sets available, making this problem much less common. As a padlock specialist we are also able to hold in stock many keyed-alike sets and rotate them regularly to reduce this problem.
Master Key
A ‘Master Key’ padlock is a unique padlock with its’ own key but part of a larger set. The whole set then can be overridden by what is known as the ‘Master-Key’. For obvious reasons the master-key should be kept secure as an unauthorised copy would compromise the security of the whole set.
Due to the complexity in creating this type of padlock they do cost significantly more than keyed alike/different padlocks. When security and convenience is essential, a master-key setup is the ultimate option.