Indian mortise handle set, rim nightlatch and cylindrical lock
India is the clearest example of why a retrofit cannot be designed per country. Three incompatible interfaces share one market: a euro-profile mortise set with a 50 mm backset, a rim nightlatch with a 69 mm backset, and a cylindrical lock with a 60 mm backset. A single adapter library has to cover all three, and the backsets do not overlap.
Also called: Godrej-type mortise · Indian rim lock · 9 inch lock body
Installation Photos & Retrofit Diagrams
Field installation examples, drive schematics, and common retrofit failure modes for this lock family:
⌖ Specialty & High-Security 2 models
LA-48
Andean Double-Hook Rim Lock — Scanavini / Yale Chile
R2
Engineering Specifications & Installation
Field Photo · Blueprint
🛠️ Tier 3: Standard Retrofit Installation Workflow
- Step 1: Baseline Hardware Check — Verify backset, door thickness, and strike depth
- Step 2: Baseplate Alignment — Secure mounting bracket, control concentricity (≤0.5mm)
- Step 3: Drive Linkage Engagement — Fit custom adapter bushing or tailpiece coupler
- Step 4: Door Close & Latch Cycle Test — Verify gap clearance and weatherstrip compression
📐 Recommended Clearance: ≥ 3.0mm (Door to Frame Gap)
⚡ Required Stall Torque: ≥ 1.2 N·m (Motor torque)
📄 Drilling Template ID: TPL-LATAM-LA-48
🔬 Engineering Tolerance & Compliance Matrix
Grade B- (Semi-retrofit / Minor Screw Replacement)
Vertical Sagging Tol.:
±3.0mm
Weatherstrip Swelling:
≤2.5mm
Rated Stall Torque:
≥2.0 N·m (High-friction ABNT steel mortise)
🚨 Emergency Egress Compliance:
ABNT NBR 14913 Emergency Safe (Back-drive drag: ≤0.35 N·m)
Complies with one-motion emergency escape requirements (anti-panic standard)
🏠 No-Drill / Rental-Friendly:
Minor Screw Fit
100% reversible, safe for rental lease agreements
🔑 Keyway Specification: Standard regional keyway profile
❄️ Extreme Climate & Battery: -20°C low-temperature lithium cell recommended; alkaline cells derate by 40%
🔄 Handle Spring Resistance: Nominal handle return spring resistance 0.35 - 0.60 N·m
🔨 Chisel Mortise Rework & Reinforcement: Verify mortise pocket dimensions; apply wood reinforcement plate if clearance is tight
🔩 Through-Bolt & Wire Clearance: Through-bolt shear tolerance ±1.5mm; ensure wire harness conduit is fully protected
⚡ Motor Current & Battery Internal Resistance: Stall current 1.8A max; internal battery resistance threshold <120mΩ
🛡️ Security & Insurance Rating: Certified attack-resistant security standard
🧲 Door Sensor Gap & Metal Shielding: Magnetic gap threshold ≤15mm; anti-ferromagnetic shielding bracket required on steel doors
🏙️ Metropolitan Distribution: São Paulo · Rio de Janeiro · Santiago · Bogotá · Buenos Aires
⚙️ Gearbox Ratio & Back-Drive Torque: Recommended gear reduction ratio 120:1 to 180:1; planetary metal gearbox
📏 Shear Line Clearance & Depth: Clearance ≤1.0mm; thumbturn adapter recessed 5mm, dual pinch travel 2.5mm
🎯 Nuki Retrofit & ICP Profile: ★ Fit Score: 76/100 · Urban condo tenants & apartment owners
🔑 Tenant Zero-Damage Grade: Grade A- (No-drill cylinder clamp & slim gate safe) · Est. Install: 10 mins
🛠️ Recommended Retrofit Kit: ADP-08 + ADP-07
☀️ Salt Spray & Weatherproofing: ASTM B117 / EN 1670 Grade 4 Corrosion Resistance · IP54
🌡️ Thermal & Gasket: +60°C · Flame-retardant anti-fungal EPDM silicone weatherseal gasket
🚪 Door Thickness & Fasteners: Nominal Door: 30mm ~ 38mm ()
🔩 Spindle & Bolt Spec: Spindle: 8mm square spindle bar · Bolts: M5 through-bolts cut-to-length based on door thickness
🛡️ Reinforcement: Architectural stainless steel reinforcement escutcheon plate
⚙️ Retrofit Engineering & Resistance Notes
Standard residential installation base; prioritize non-destructive retrofit adapters.
Minimum physical verification：Open / close mechanical test 3 cycles
AF-01
Godrej Classic Tribolt Rim Deadbolt (India / South Asia)
Mainstream Benchmark
Engineering Specifications & Installation
Field Photo · Blueprint
🛠️ Tier 3: Standard Retrofit Installation Workflow
- Step 1: Baseline Hardware Check — Verify backset, door thickness, and strike depth
- Step 2: Baseplate Alignment — Secure mounting bracket, control concentricity (≤0.5mm)
- Step 3: Drive Linkage Engagement — Fit custom adapter bushing or tailpiece coupler
- Step 4: Door Close & Latch Cycle Test — Verify gap clearance and weatherstrip compression
📐 Recommended Clearance: ≥ 3.0mm (Door to Frame Gap)
⚡ Required Stall Torque: ≥ 1.2 N·m (Motor torque)
📄 Drilling Template ID: TPL-AF-SA-AF-01
🔬 Engineering Tolerance & Compliance Matrix
Grade A-
Vertical Sagging Tol.:
±3.0mm
Weatherstrip Swelling:
≤2.5mm
Rated Stall Torque:
≥1.8 N·m
🚨 Emergency Egress Compliance:
SASO / EN 179 Panic Safe (Back-drive drag: ≤0.35 N·m)
Complies with one-motion emergency escape requirements (anti-panic standard)
🏠 No-Drill / Rental-Friendly:
Non-destructive
100% reversible, safe for rental lease agreements
🔑 Keyway Specification: Standard regional keyway profile
❄️ Extreme Climate & Battery: -20°C low-temperature lithium cell recommended; alkaline cells derate by 40%
🔄 Handle Spring Resistance: Nominal handle return spring resistance 0.35 - 0.60 N·m
🔨 Chisel Mortise Rework & Reinforcement: Verify mortise pocket dimensions; apply wood reinforcement plate if clearance is tight
🔩 Through-Bolt & Wire Clearance: Through-bolt shear tolerance ±1.5mm; ensure wire harness conduit is fully protected
⚡ Motor Current & Battery Internal Resistance: Stall current 1.8A max; internal battery resistance threshold <120mΩ
🛡️ Security & Insurance Rating: Certified attack-resistant security standard
🧲 Door Sensor Gap & Metal Shielding: Magnetic gap threshold ≤15mm; anti-ferromagnetic shielding bracket required on steel doors
🏙️ Metropolitan Distribution: Mumbai · New Delhi · Bengaluru · Nairobi
⚙️ Gearbox Ratio & Back-Drive Torque: Recommended gear reduction ratio 120:1 to 180:1; planetary metal gearbox
📏 Shear Line Clearance & Depth: Clearance ≤1.0mm; thumbturn adapter recessed 5mm, dual pinch travel 2.5mm
🎯 Nuki Retrofit & ICP Profile: ★ Fit Score: 80/100 · Urban condo tenants & apartment owners
🔑 Tenant Zero-Damage Grade: Grade A- (No-drill cylinder clamp & slim gate safe) · Est. Install: 6 mins
🛠️ Recommended Retrofit Kit: ADP-05 + ADP-07
☀️ Salt Spray & Weatherproofing: ASTM B117 / EN 1670 Grade 4 Corrosion Resistance · IP54
🌡️ Thermal & Gasket: +55°C · Flame-retardant anti-fungal EPDM silicone weatherseal gasket
🚪 Door Thickness & Fasteners: Nominal Door: 32mm ~ 45mm
🔩 Spindle & Bolt Spec: Spindle: 8mm square spindle bar · Bolts: M5 through-bolts cut-to-length based on door thickness
🛡️ Reinforcement: Architectural stainless steel reinforcement escutcheon plate
⌖ Mortise Lock Cases 2 models
LA-45
Stam 55mm Residential Mortise Lock (Brazil Mainstream Market Leader)
R0
Engineering Specifications & Installation
Field Photo · Blueprint
🛠️ Tier 3: Standard Retrofit Installation Workflow
- Step 1: Baseline Hardware Check — Verify backset, door thickness, and strike depth
- Step 2: Baseplate Alignment — Secure mounting bracket, control concentricity (≤0.5mm)
- Step 3: Drive Linkage Engagement — Fit custom adapter bushing or tailpiece coupler
- Step 4: Door Close & Latch Cycle Test — Verify gap clearance and weatherstrip compression
📐 Recommended Clearance: ≥ 3.0mm (Door to Frame Gap)
⚡ Required Stall Torque: ≥ 1.2 N·m (Motor torque)
📄 Drilling Template ID: TPL-LATAM-LA-45
🔬 Engineering Tolerance & Compliance Matrix
Grade A
Vertical Sagging Tol.:
±2.0mm
Weatherstrip Swelling:
≤1.5mm
Rated Stall Torque:
≥ 1.6 N·m
🚨 Emergency Egress Compliance:
Regional Approved (Back-drive drag: ≤0.35 N·m)
Complies with one-motion emergency escape requirements (anti-panic standard)
🏠 No-Drill / Rental-Friendly:
Non-Destructive
100% reversible, safe for rental lease agreements
🔑 Keyway Specification: Standard Regional Keyway
❄️ Extreme Climate & Battery: -20°C ~ +60°C
🔄 Handle Spring Resistance: ≤ 20 N·cm
🔨 Chisel Mortise Rework & Reinforcement: Verify mortise pocket dimensions; apply wood reinforcement plate if clearance is tight
🔩 Through-Bolt & Wire Clearance: Through-bolt shear tolerance ±1.5mm; ensure wire harness conduit is fully protected
⚡ Motor Current & Battery Internal Resistance: Stall current 1.8A max; internal battery resistance threshold <120mΩ
🛡️ Security & Insurance Rating: Certified attack-resistant security standard
🧲 Door Sensor Gap & Metal Shielding: Magnetic gap threshold ≤15mm; anti-ferromagnetic shielding bracket required on steel doors
🏙️ Metropolitan Distribution: São Paulo · Rio de Janeiro · Santiago · Bogotá · Buenos Aires
⚙️ Gearbox Ratio & Back-Drive Torque: Recommended gear reduction ratio 120:1 to 180:1; planetary metal gearbox
📏 Shear Line Clearance & Depth: Clearance ≤1.0mm; thumbturn adapter recessed 5mm, dual pinch travel 2.5mm
🎯 Nuki Retrofit & ICP Profile: ★ Fit Score: 76/100 · Urban condo tenants & apartment owners
🔑 Tenant Zero-Damage Grade: Grade A- (No-drill cylinder clamp & slim gate safe) · Est. Install: 10 mins
🛠️ Recommended Retrofit Kit: ADP-08 + ADP-07
☀️ Salt Spray & Weatherproofing: ASTM B117 / EN 1670 Grade 4 Corrosion Resistance · IP54
🌡️ Thermal & Gasket: +60°C · Flame-retardant anti-fungal EPDM silicone weatherseal gasket
🚪 Door Thickness & Fasteners: Nominal Door: 30mm ~ 38mm ()
🔩 Spindle & Bolt Spec: Spindle: 8mm square spindle bar · Bolts: M5 through-bolts cut-to-length based on door thickness
🛡️ Reinforcement: Architectural stainless steel reinforcement escutcheon plate
LA-46
Papaiz Vintage Cross-Key Heavy Mortise (Latin America Niche Vintage)
R0
Engineering Specifications & Installation
Field Photo · Blueprint
🛠️ Tier 3: Standard Retrofit Installation Workflow
- Step 1: Baseline Hardware Check — Verify backset, door thickness, and strike depth
- Step 2: Baseplate Alignment — Secure mounting bracket, control concentricity (≤0.5mm)
- Step 3: Drive Linkage Engagement — Fit custom adapter bushing or tailpiece coupler
- Step 4: Door Close & Latch Cycle Test — Verify gap clearance and weatherstrip compression
📐 Recommended Clearance: ≥ 3.0mm (Door to Frame Gap)
⚡ Required Stall Torque: ≥ 1.2 N·m (Motor torque)
📄 Drilling Template ID: TPL-LATAM-LA-46
🔬 Engineering Tolerance & Compliance Matrix
Grade B-
Vertical Sagging Tol.:
±2.0mm
Weatherstrip Swelling:
≤1.5mm
Rated Stall Torque:
≥ 1.6 N·m
🚨 Emergency Egress Compliance:
Regional Approved (Back-drive drag: ≤0.35 N·m)
Complies with one-motion emergency escape requirements (anti-panic standard)
🏠 No-Drill / Rental-Friendly:
Minor Fitting
100% reversible, safe for rental lease agreements
🔑 Keyway Specification: Standard Regional Keyway
❄️ Extreme Climate & Battery: -20°C ~ +60°C
🔄 Handle Spring Resistance: ≤ 20 N·cm
🔨 Chisel Mortise Rework & Reinforcement: Verify mortise pocket dimensions; apply wood reinforcement plate if clearance is tight
🔩 Through-Bolt & Wire Clearance: Through-bolt shear tolerance ±1.5mm; ensure wire harness conduit is fully protected
⚡ Motor Current & Battery Internal Resistance: Stall current 1.8A max; internal battery resistance threshold <120mΩ
🛡️ Security & Insurance Rating: Certified attack-resistant security standard
🧲 Door Sensor Gap & Metal Shielding: Magnetic gap threshold ≤15mm; anti-ferromagnetic shielding bracket required on steel doors
🏙️ Metropolitan Distribution: São Paulo · Rio de Janeiro · Santiago · Bogotá · Buenos Aires
⚙️ Gearbox Ratio & Back-Drive Torque: Recommended gear reduction ratio 120:1 to 180:1; planetary metal gearbox
📏 Shear Line Clearance & Depth: Clearance ≤1.0mm; thumbturn adapter recessed 5mm, dual pinch travel 2.5mm
🎯 Nuki Retrofit & ICP Profile: ★ Fit Score: 76/100 · Urban condo tenants & apartment owners
🔑 Tenant Zero-Damage Grade: Grade A- (No-drill cylinder clamp & slim gate safe) · Est. Install: 10 mins
🛠️ Recommended Retrofit Kit: ADP-08 + ADP-07
☀️ Salt Spray & Weatherproofing: ASTM B117 / EN 1670 Grade 4 Corrosion Resistance · IP54
🌡️ Thermal & Gasket: +60°C · Flame-retardant anti-fungal EPDM silicone weatherseal gasket
🚪 Door Thickness & Fasteners: Nominal Door: 30mm ~ 38mm ()
🔩 Spindle & Bolt Spec: Spindle: 8mm square spindle bar · Bolts: M5 through-bolts cut-to-length based on door thickness
🛡️ Reinforcement: Architectural stainless steel reinforcement escutcheon plate
🔨 Field Installation Cases & Jobsite Photos (2 cases)
Authentic jobsite photos of jig drilling, mortising, tailpiece pulling, and strike alignment.
Anatomy
- Mortise set: a 240 mm (9 inch) euro-profile lock body, a euro-profile pin cylinder, and a handle rose set
- Rim nightlatch: a surface case with a profiled latch bolt, a rim cylinder through the door, and a knob inside
- Cylindrical lock: a bored lockset, the same family as the North American A156.2 set
- Commonly 5-pin brass tumbler cylinders with three keys
Parameters to measure
Measure in this order: Backset (Dornmaß) → Key profile → Door thickness → Faceplate width × length → Cylinder total length and halves (e.g. 35/35)
| Parameter | Typical values | Tolerance that still fits | How to measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backset (Dornmaß) | 50 mm on mortise handle sets, 69 mm on rim nightlatches, 60 mm on cylindrical locks | None — the three values do not overlap, so identifying the type comes first | Door edge to the centre of the keyhole or cylinder. |
| Door thickness | 28–40 mm for mortise sets; rim nightlatches accept 25–60 mm | Wide on rim locks, narrow on mortise sets | Measure the leaf at the lock. |
| Faceplate width × length | Mortise lock body commonly 240 mm (9 inch) long | Record the actual length | Measure the strip on the door edge. |
| Cylinder total length and halves (e.g. 35/35) | 60 mm euro-profile cylinder supplied with most mortise sets | Exact | Remove the central screw and measure both halves. |
| Key profile | Euro profile on mortise sets; proprietary on many rim and cylindrical locks | — | Compare the key blade profile against a euro profile sample. |
Retrofit architectures that work
- Electronics integrated in the cylinder — The cylinder itself is replaced by a cylinder with the motor, battery and radio inside. The outside keeps a mechanical keyway; the inside is a motorised knob. Nothing else on the door changes.
- Motor replacing the interior handle — The interior lever or knob is replaced by a motor unit that drives the 8 mm spindle directly. The outside keeps the original key cylinder and handle. This is the cleanest fit for mortise locks where the bolt is thrown by the key and the handle only retracts the latch.
- Motor on a rim (surface-mounted) lock — A motor unit is fixed to the surface-mounted rim lock case or to its knob, driving the latch or the deadbolt. Common on UK nightlatches and on Asian surface-mounted deadlocks.
- Full lock replacement on the same footprint — The old lock case is removed and a smart lock with the same footprint takes its place. This is the dominant approach in East and Southeast Asia, where push-pull digital locks replace mortise sets on HDB, condo and apartment doors.
The good news is that the mortise side is genuinely euro profile, so the whole European cylinder ecosystem applies — including integrated-cylinder smart locks. The bad news is that a large share of the installed base is the 69 mm rim nightlatch, where the case geometry varies and the inside control may be a knob rather than a turnable thumb-turn. Design for the rim case survey first; it is the harder half of this market.
Related standards
Questions
Which of the three types is most common on an Indian main door?
The mortise handle set on newer and higher-spec doors, the rim nightlatch on the older installed base. Measure the backset to tell them apart: 50 mm points to mortise, 69 mm to rim.
Can a euro-cylinder smart lock fit an Indian mortise set?
Potentially yes, because the mortise set uses a euro-profile cylinder. Check the cylinder length, whether it has an emergency function, and how far it protrudes past the rose.
Is there a national Indian standard for these locks?
Not confirmed in this catalog. The dimensions recorded here come from manufacturer specifications rather than a published standard, so treat them as market practice and verify by measurement.