Mechanical Pushbutton Locks

What Is the Simplex 5000 Series and Why Is It Still Being Specified for New Construction? 

The Simplex 5000 lever lock fits a standard 161 door prep, generates up to 1,081 unique combinations from single-to-five button sequences, and operates mechanically without any power source. It's been the commercial mechanical keypad standard for decades. The reason it's still specified in new hospital construction, government facilities, and industrial plants isn't because contractors don't know about electronic locks. It's because some doors need a lock that works when the building's power is out, when the network is down, and when no one is available to manage credentials. The Simplex 5000 meets all three of those requirements. 

How Many Combinations Does a Simplex Lock Have? 

The 5000 Series supports up to 1,081 unique combinations using sequences of one to five buttons. That's enough for most single-facility applications. The LD450 and LD470 Series, Simplex's Kaba-branded successors, support an expanded combination range and additional features including key override. For large campuses needing higher combination counts or more flexibility, Simplex's digital and electronic lines provide that without abandoning the Simplex keypad interface that facility staff already know. 

When Do You Need the Simplex 9600 Instead of the 5000? 

The Simplex 9600 adds a motorized deadbolt to the standard Simplex pushbutton interface. It runs on battery power rather than mechanical operation like the 5000 Series. The motorized deadbolt throws 1 inch into the frame, providing security that a spring latch doesn't. Specify the 9600 for cash rooms, controlled storage with high-value inventory, server rooms that need deadbolt-level locking, and small office entries where the pushbutton interface is preferred but a spring latch isn't considered secure enough.