Over the years, the need to secure personal belongings or places has grown immensely, especially for items and places of great importance or value. Hence, locks were introduced, and these locks have been used to secure banks, pieces of luggage, safes, and even vaults.
Every lock demands a specific key to gain access to the items or places they secure. But if this key is misplaced, the only way to go through the specific lock is by destroying the lock, and this act can, in turn, damage the items that are being preserved by the lock.
Combination locks were later introduced to eliminate the need to carry keys around or the dangers accompanying misplacing a key. In modern times, the use of combination locks has grown significantly, and they are now used in almost every safe house to secure files and properties.
And in a scenario where the pass key to a combination lock is misplaced or forgotten, there will be no need to destroy the lock because the key can be changed. This article sheds more light on how to change a combination lock in cases of lost or forgotten passwords.
How to Change a Combination Lock
What Is A Combination Lock?
A combination lock is a security device that uses a sequence of numbers or symbols as a key to lock or unlock items.
These sequences of numbers or symbols are also called Pin or Code. This device exists predominantly in two forms.
They are:
- Hardware combination locks: This lock, as the name implies, is a combination lock that we can see and touch. It is used mostly for places like stores, houses, and banks, among others. Hardware locks are also of two types:
- Mechanical locks
- Electronic locks
- Software combination locks: This lock accompanies the advent of computers. It often demands using a PIN as a key to unlock specific files, folders, or applications. A typical example of software combination locks is the locks commonly used in banks to safeguard their customers’ belongings.
Combination locks can also be grouped by the level of security they provide.
Here are common examples:
- Group 1 Combination locks: This is the most secure of the two, and these locks are not very common. They provide a greater degree of protection by offering combinations of up to six numbers.
- Group 2 Combination locks: This is the commonest of the two, mostly found in homes. They offer combinations ranging between two to three numbers.
Common Uses Of Combination Locks
Companies: Combination locks are used in companies for safes and doors too, and group 1 locks are mostly utilized in places like this.
Banks and warehouses: Mostly for vaults.
Homes: It is used for securing safes and doors, especially in private chambers of the home.
Stores: Different groups of combination locks can be found in stores, depending on the quality and value of the commodities being sold.
Bags: Persons, especially travelers with expensive materials, often use these locks to secure their bags and pieces of luggage.
Steps To Changing A Combination Lock
When changing a combination lock, there are certain things you must take into account.
- Have general information on the lock
- Check if the combination lock is mechanical or electrical.
- Also, check the kind of device on which the lock is installed.
- Also, consider the effects that certain actions can have on the pock and its contents.
After putting these factors into consideration, here are the nation lock.
- Taking your time
- Before resetting, try opening the lock. If the lock is new, try the key (0000) for a four combination lock.
- Employ the use of a reset tool. Also, mote that reset tools varies depending on the lock.
- Ensure the combination has been changed before locking the device.
- Use the new combination to unlock the device and repeat for about 3times to be certain.
Bottom Line
Changing a combination lock demands careful and deliberate actions like taking into consideration the nature of the lock, the type of the lock, and what the lock preserves.
Understanding the variations in combination locks and how to work with that information also go a long way in assisting your cause. If you make a mistake while changing a combination lock, wait and retake the processes calmly and more cautiously.
Finally, note that there are combination locks that you should not attempt to change by yourself, as any attempt on such locks can be disastrous. In cases like this, you are advised to contact a skilled locksmith. And if you can’t find any, revisit the manufacturer’s guide or manual for more guidance.
