Sargent 8271 Electromechanical Mortise Lock - Fail Secure

About this item

The Sargent 8271 is the fail secure electromechanical version of the Sargent 8200 Series mortise lock, the platform that's been the industry benchmark for commercial Grade 1 mortise hardware for decades. Function 71 means the outside lever is electronically locked when power is applied. Cut the power or lose the signal and the door stays locked, which is exactly what high-security access points in hospitals, universities, government buildings, data centers, and correctional facilities require.

The inside lever is always free for immediate egress regardless of power state. A key in the outside cylinder retracts the latchbolt at any time, giving you mechanical override without requiring a power cycle or control panel intervention. The auxiliary deadlatch engages automatically when the door closes, preventing latchbolt manipulation while the door is in the locked position.

Field Changeable: Fail Safe or Fail Secure Without Tools

One of the most practical advantages of the Sargent 8271 is that the fail safe and fail secure modes are field changeable. The 8271 ships in fail secure (Function 71), but the configuration can be switched to fail safe operation in the field without opening the lock case or sending the unit back for conversion. This is a significant advantage on projects where security requirements may change between specification and final commissioning, or where future access control revisions are anticipated.

The 8271 also accepts 12V or 24V DC across the same terminals. The lock auto-detects the input voltage, so there's no jumper configuration, no field wiring changes when the panel voltage differs from the original spec. That flexibility makes it compatible with virtually any commercial access control panel on the market.

Sargent 8200 Series Construction: What "Far Surpasses Grade 1" Means

The 8200 Series doesn't just meet ANSI/BHMA A156.13 Series 1000 Grade 1. In independently verified testing, it surpasses those requirements for resistance against vandalism and forced entry. The lock case is 12-gauge heavy-duty wrought steel with zinc dichromate plating at 7/64" (3mm / .109") thickness. The hubs for levers are cold-forged steel. The latchbolt is one-piece reversible stainless steel with an anti-friction tongue. The deadbolt is one-piece hardened stainless steel with a full 1" (25mm) projection.

Only 30 degrees of lever rotation is required to retract the latchbolt, which is well below the effort threshold that causes fatigue failures in high-cycle commercial applications. The lock is pre-assembled from the factory, which makes installation fool-proof and eliminates the risk of component errors during field assembly. Handing is field-reversible without removing parts or opening the lock case, which cuts installation time significantly on multi-door projects.

Sargent 8270 Series Function Guide

RX and LX Options for Access Control Integration

The standard 8271 integrates with card readers, keypads, biometric readers, and any access control panel that outputs 12V or 24V DC. For installations that require door event monitoring, two additional options are available. The RX option adds a request-to-exit switch, a pair of switches mounted internally in the lock body that provide independent monitoring of inside and outside lever rotation. This is used when the access control system needs to log door opening events from the inside, not just unlocking commands. The LXRX-8271 adds both inside and outside lever monitoring in a single body, covering the full door event picture without external sensors.

Full Technical Specifications

Trim Options, Finishes, and Keyways

The 8271 is available in trim options LNB, LNL, LNP, and LNJ. Finish options cover the full architectural range: 03 Bright Brass, 04 Satin Brass, 10 Satin Bronze, 10B Oil Rubbed Bronze, 26 Bright Chrome, 26D Satin Chrome, 32 Bright Stainless, and 32D Satin Stainless. Standard keyway is LA with a #41 cylinder. Freewheeling configurations use a #46 cylinder. Keying options include standard keyed different (KD), keyed alike, and master keying. The outside front plate is brass, bronze, or stainless steel, adjustable from flat to 1/8" bevel in 2" increments to match any door preparation.