Smart Lock Glossary

Distance from door edge to center of handle. Common: 2-3/8" or 2-3/4". Critical for retrofit compatibility.

The large hole in door for lock cylinder. Standard: 2-1/8" diameter. Tiny houses may have smaller bores.

See Bore Hole.

Locking bolt that extends into door frame. Single or double cylinder. Most smart locks replace or augment these.

Spring-loaded bolt that keeps door closed. Engages automatically when door closes. Separate from deadbolt.

Metal plate in door frame that receives bolt. Reinforcement plates prevent pull-out under force.

Interior manual lock control. Smart locks may retain motorized thumbturns for manual operation.

Battery capacity measurement. 1 Ah = 1 amp for 1 hour. Used to size battery systems for off-grid setups.

DC voltage reducer. Commonly 12V→5V for powering 5V smart locks from vehicle batteries. Efficiency: 85-95%.

Percentage of battery capacity used. LiFePO4: 80-100%. Lead-acid: 50%. Affects battery lifespan.

Lithium Iron Phosphate battery. Safe, long-life (2000+ cycles), handles temperature well. Ideal for off-grid backup.

High-capacity capacitor for short-term backup. Bridges power gaps, lasts 10+ years. Good for brief outages.

Energy measurement. Watts × hours. Used to calculate daily consumption and battery needs. 1 Wh = 3600 Joules.

Voltage loss over wire distance. Longer wires = more drop. Use thicker wire (lower AWG) for long runs.

Short-range wireless protocol. Range: 30-100ft. Low power (0.01-0.5W). Works without internet.

Mesh network protocol. Range: 100ft+ with repeaters. Low power. Requires hub. Less common in new locks.

Mesh network like Z-Wave. Used by some smart locks. Requires hub. Better for multiple smart home devices.

Direct internet connection. Higher power (0.3-0.5W). Enables remote access. May drain batteries faster.

Very short range (1-2 inches). Tap-to-unlock functionality. Low power. Available on some locks.

Radio frequency ID. Key fobs/cards. Common in commercial locks. Range: few inches to feet depending on type.

Wire thickness standard. Lower number = thicker wire. 18AWG for most lock wiring, 16AWG for longer runs.

Sealed connector for wires passing through walls/panels. Maintains weatherproofing.

Metal end cap for wire strands. Prevents fraying in screw terminals. Essential for reliable connections.

Flexible sealant for RV/van installations. Sticks well, remains flexible. Seals wire penetrations.

Liquid that prevents screws from loosening. Blue (medium) for removable, Red (permanent) for permanent.

Small polarized connector. Common in RC/drone world. Good for quick-disconnect on lock power.

Regulates solar panel charging. PWM (cheaper) or MPPT (more efficient). Prevents battery overcharge.

Real-world efficiency reduction. Solar panels produce 75-80% of rated output due to heat, dirt, angle.

Hours when sun is strong enough for rated panel output. Varies by location/season (1-6 hours typical).

Cuts off load when battery is too low. Prevents battery damage. Usually 10.5-11V for 12V systems.

Days system can run without solar input. 3-5 days typical, 10+ for full off-grid reliability.

Power used when lock is idle. Bluetooth: 0.05-0.2W. WiFi: 0.3-0.5W. Major factor in battery life.

Energy per lock/unlock cycle. Typically 1-3 Joules. Multiply by daily cycles for total usage.

(Benefits - Costs) ÷ Costs × 100%. Calculate time to payback through convenience and security.

All costs over lifetime: purchase, installation, batteries, maintenance. Usually 3-5 years for planning.