Cylinders DORCAS
Information about DORCAS
DORCAS: electromechanical locks and access control
Who DORCAS is
DORCAS is a Spanish company specialising in electromechanical opening systems and access control. It was founded in 1971 in Siete Aguas, Valencia, by José Vicente Ibáñez and several partners. Since then, the brand has evolved from electric door releases to automatic locking solutions, electromagnetic locks and digital controls for doors.
With more than 50 years in the trade, DORCAS established itself in the 1980s as a national manufacturer of electromechanical opening systems. It currently exports to more than 70 countries and is positioned especially in installations for communal entrances, residents' associations, shops, offices, hotels, education centres and emergency exits. Its speciality is not the conventional cylinder, but the integration between door, lock, electric current and access control.
DORCAS product range for doors
DORCAS manufactures devices that allow a door to be opened, locked, monitored and managed. Many of them are combined with mechanical locks and euro-profile cylinders, so they should be selected as part of a complete system and not as isolated elements.
- Mortice and rim electric door releases for wooden, metal or aluminium frames.
- Automatic, self-locking and panic electromechanical locks.
- Electromagnetic locks or holding magnets for controlled-access doors.
- Access controls with keypad, card, key fob, Bluetooth, fingerprint or facial recognition.
- Door operators, door closers, push buttons, transformers and mounting accessories.
It also has mechanical locks and solutions prepared for a euro cylinder. These installations can incorporate compatible escutcheons, cylinders and security fittings, although the performance of the cylinder depends on the manufacturer and the specific reference chosen.
Technology and security in electromechanical systems
At DORCAS, security is based mainly on the locking mode, the monitoring and the control of who can open the door. Its door releases receive an electric signal to release the latch, while self-locking locks secure the closure automatically when the leaf is closed. There are fail secure versions, which remain locked without power, and fail safe versions, which unlock when the supply is cut, a relevant difference on entry points and evacuation routes.
The DSL lock includes a panic function and EN 14846, EN 1125 and EN 179 certifications in the configurations indicated by the manufacturer, making it suitable for certain fire doors and emergency exits. The SC-LOCK model incorporates a self-locking bolt, an anti-card function and monitoring of the door status.
Anti-bumping, anti-pick, anti-drill and anti-extraction protection are not automatic features of a DORCAS lock, because they depend on the euro-profile cylinder that is installed. If a dimple key, property card or mechanical master-keying is required, a locksmithing professional should select a compatible cylinder and an escutcheon that protects the outer area.
Notable models and solutions
The DORCAS DUO is an electromechanical lock made up of an electric part in the frame and a mechanical part in the leaf. When the door closes, the bolt locks automatically; it can be opened with a handle, a key or an electric signal. It is a practical solution for communal access doors, offices or homes that need remote opening and secure closing.
The DSL range is geared towards doors with evacuation, control and automatic locking requirements. For entry points where the status of the handle, bolt or cylinder needs to be supervised, its monitoring signals are useful. The K20 access control allows digital master-keying, remote management of permissions and consultation of records; it suits businesses, residents' associations or properties with several users.
Real advantages and drawbacks
The main advantage of DORCAS is that it makes it possible to turn a conventional door into a controlled access point without necessarily giving up a mechanical key. Its systems make opening easier by means of a door entry system, push button, card, mobile or code, and offer solutions for interior, exterior, fire doors and heavily used entry points.
As a counterpoint, an electromechanical lock needs a well-planned electrical installation and more technical maintenance than a purely mechanical lock. The choice between fail secure and fail safe operation should not be made for convenience, but according to the use of the entry point and the evacuation obligations. On a simple front door with no need for remote control, a good mechanical cylinder and a suitable escutcheon may be a more proportionate solution.
Installation and maintenance
Before installing DORCAS you must measure the centre distance, the depth of the lock, the direction of opening, the available voltage and the location of the wiring. On a DUO, for example, the electric part of the frame and the mechanical part of the leaf must be correctly aligned. You must also check that the door closer allows a complete and constant closure.
A door that does not lock on its own, a door release that buzzes, intermittent openings, reading failures or rubbing on the latch require a check. Keeping the strike plates clean, tightening fixings and checking the connections help to prevent breakdowns. If the cylinder shows play, difficulty turning or a loss of key control, it is worth replacing it even if the electrical system works correctly.
Installing and changing DORCAS cylinders in Torrevieja
We carry out the installation and replacement of DORCAS cylinders in Torrevieja, La Mata, Aguas Nuevas, Los Balcones, La Siesta, San Luis, El Chaparral, Los Altos, La Veleta, Mar Azul and Cabo Cervera. We also serve Orihuela Costa, Rojales, Ciudad Quesada, Guardamar del Segura and the rest of the Vega Baja. Before any work we provide a fixed quote, with an invoice and a guarantee on the work carried out.
Our 24-hour locksmiths, emergency locksmiths and on-call locksmiths handle emergency door openings, door openings, lock changes, lock repairs and door repairs. We provide our service on public holidays and in the early hours, 365 days a year, with assistance in several languages. It is a useful solution for owners of second homes who need to regain access, check an electric lock or improve the entry control of their property.