Introduction

The Yale cylinder key is the most common and widely used profile in the UK. Over the past few years, Yale has made some fundamental changes to their key profiles. This guide will explain the reason Yale has made these changes and which options are still available.

Background

For decades, Yale has manufactured the 1109 and X5 rim cylinders with their range of nightlatches.

The 1109 is the original rim cylinder supplied with the classic 80 series and traditional nightlatches. The X5 is a kitemarked 6 pin rim cylinder supplied with British standard nightlatches, such as the PBS range.

What has changed?

Since 2016, Yale have been gradually moving its key profiles to patented sections. They have recently completed the process and now all Yale rim cylinders are only available on new profiles. Yale decided to do this to protect their brand and to ensure that only original key blanks are used. Yale recommends the use of genuine key blanks as operation issues and component wear may occur if keys are duplicated using non-genuine blanks.

In addition to the change of a patented key section, the Yale rim cylinders now meet the 1* standards set out in TS007.

The original Yale key profile had previously changed in 2003 to the X-Tech profile. The details below relate to the original non-patented keys, suit locks after 2003

Are old blanks available?

While new replacement rim cylinders and nightlatches feature the new patented key profile, there are still millions of old profile locks on the market, which customers may require replacement keys for. Original key blanks are still in stock and available

Are old cylinders and nightlatches still available?

We currently have Yale 1109 brass rim cylinders as well as the 77 traditional, 85 narrow style, and 89 standard nightlatches available in stock. Ideal for existing old profiles where coined keys are in place.