A sliding door in an airport terminal can exceed 50,000 opening and closing cycles per day. In this context, an electromagnet is not a closing accessory but a critical infrastructure component.
In a previous post, we discussed the characteristics of electromagnets for sliding doors in general applications. Electromagnets used for airport access control, however, must meet requirements that do not appear in conventional installations: high cycle counts, IP protection against dust and moisture, clearly defined fail-safe or fail-secure behavior, and compatibility with the terminal security system’s integration protocol.
Why airport access control is different
An airport combines several areas with very different security requirements: passenger entrances, security checkpoints, restricted staff areas, boarding bridges, and evacuation exits. Each requires a different electrical locking behavior.
Added to this is a factor that few industrial facilities reach: the daily cycle volume. A general office access door may perform a few hundred cycles per day. A sliding door in a high-traffic terminal operates almost continuously throughout the operating day.
This combination of usage volume and critical security level makes the electromagnet a component that must be specified for sustained performance, not merely for nominal holding force.
The real cost of a door failure
In a low-traffic environment, a door that stops or fails can be resolved in minutes. In an airport terminal, an opening failure creates bottlenecks in passenger flow and may compromise security or evacuation procedures.
How electromagnets work in automatic airport terminal doors
The operating principle is the same as in any electromagnetic lock: the electromagnet generates a magnetic field when current is applied, and that field retains a metal armature plate attached to the door leaf. When the current is interrupted, the holding force disappears.
What changes in an airport is the operating context. The electromagnet must maintain its holding force cycle after cycle, without thermal degradation or loss of response-time accuracy, even in installations with intensive air conditioning, pressure variations, and constant pedestrian traffic.
In addition, the electromagnet does not operate in isolation. It is integrated with the access control management system (PACS), the fire detection control panel, and the terminal building management system (BMS). The release signal must arrive and be executed without delay, especially on routes classified as evacuation exits.
Technical criteria for selecting the right electromagnet
The choice of an electromagnet for an airport project is based on specific parameters, not on holding force as an isolated value.
Cycle count: the component must be validated for the expected daily opening volume, without loss of holding force throughout its service life.
IP protection rating: terminal transit areas with air conditioning, ambient humidity, and dust require electromagnets with a protection rating appropriate to the installation point.
Fail-safe or fail-secure behavior: evacuation exits require fail-safe electromagnets, such as the VEM series electromagnetic door holders, which release the door in the event of a power failure. Restricted staff entrances may require fail-secure operation, which maintains locking without power.
Integration protocol: the electromagnet must be compatible with the project’s control architecture, whether through a direct relay, PLC, or integration with the terminal access management system.
Response time: in high-speed sliding doors, the delay between the release signal and the actual opening must be minimal.
Actuation electromagnets designed for high cycle volumes incorporate windings and materials sized to minimize heating during continuous operation; this is a determining factor in installations that operate almost without interruption. In this segment, high-performance electromagnets are specifically designed for intensive duty cycles without loss of mechanical force.
Electromagnets in airport environments
Electromagnets are used at different points throughout the terminal, each with its own security logic:
General-access sliding doors, with high usage cycles and the need for smooth opening without degradation.
Evacuation exits and routes classified as emergency exits, where fail-safe behavior is mandatory.
Restricted access to operational areas (runways, ramps, technical rooms), where secure locking against unauthorized access attempts is the priority.
Boarding bridges and control checkpoints, integrated with access management and video surveillance systems.
Fire doors and compartmentation systems, where door closing must be coordinated with the fire detection control panel.
In all these cases, the airport’s access control depends on each locking point responding consistently with the security policy defined for that specific area.
Why choose NAFSA electromagnets for airport projects
Access control in an airport requires electromagnets capable of withstanding thousands of daily cycles without degradation, with clearly defined fail-safe or fail-secure behavior according to the area, and with reliable integration into the terminal security system. Holding force is only one of the parameters to evaluate.
NAFSA designs and manufactures its own electromagnets, allowing each component to be specified by cycle count, protection rating, and electrical behavior, not solely by holding force.
Frequently asked questions about electromagnets for airport access control
What IP protection rating does an electromagnet need in an airport terminal?
It depends on the installation point. Areas with standard air conditioning are usually adequately protected with basic dust protection, while outdoor entrances or areas with ambient humidity require a higher IP rating certified according to IEC 60529.
What is the difference between a fail-safe and a fail-secure electromagnet in an airport?
A fail-safe electromagnet releases the door when power is interrupted, which is a mandatory requirement for evacuation exits. A fail-secure electromagnet maintains the lock without power, making it suitable for restricted-access areas where preventing unauthorized entry is the priority.
How many opening cycles can an industrial electromagnet withstand in an airport?
Electromagnets specified for this type of project are designed for tens of thousands of daily cycles without significant loss of holding force, provided that the model has been selected according to the expected usage volume.
Can electromagnets for airports be custom manufactured?
Yes. When standard models do not meet the project specification, NAFSA develops custom electromagnets tailored to the dimensions, operating voltage, protection rating, and integration protocol required by the manufacturer or system integrator.
How is an electromagnet integrated with an airport access control system?
Integration is carried out through a direct relay, PLC, or connection to the terminal’s access control management system (PACS), ensuring that the release signal is executed without delay and coordinated with the fire control panel and the building management system.