UK oval cylinder (uPVC and composite doors)
The cylinder on most British uPVC and composite doors. It is oval rather than round-profiled, sits in a multipoint gearbox, and is the component that gets snapped by attackers — which is why TS007 star ratings exist.
Also called: Oval cylinder · British oval · Yale-type oval
Anatomy
- Oval profile body, longer and flatter than a euro cylinder
- Multipoint gearbox behind it, driving hooks and rollers up and down the door edge
- Full-length handle that must be lifted to throw the bolts
Parameters to measure
Measure in this order: Cylinder total length and halves (e.g. 35/35) → Handle fixing screw spacing → Centre distance, spindle-to-cylinder (Entfernung / PZ) → Door thickness
| Parameter | Typical values | Tolerance that still fits | How to measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinder total length and halves (e.g. 35/35) | Oval cylinders are specified by overall length and the screw position; common totals 62–92 mm | Exact — order to the millimetre | Overall length plus the offset of the fixing screw from one end. |
| Centre distance, spindle-to-cylinder (Entfernung / PZ) | 92 mm on most British uPVC and composite doors; 85 mm and 72 mm also exist | None — this decides whether a handle fits | Spindle centre to cylinder centre, measured on the gearbox face (the PZ dimension). |
| Handle fixing screw spacing | 205 / 215 mm screw centres are the two common values | None for handle replacement | Top screw hole to bottom screw hole on the handle. |
| Gearbox / centre case size | Gearbox width 16 / 20 mm; centre distance 92 mm most common | — | Remove the handle and measure the gearbox face. |
| Door thickness | uPVC 24–30 mm; composite 44–70 mm | — | Measure the leaf only, not the frame. |
Retrofit architectures that work
- Motor on the thumb-turn — A geared motor clamps over the existing cylinder body on the inside of the door and turns the thumb-turn (or a key left in the cylinder). The lock case, cylinder, faceplate, keys and door prep are all untouched.
- 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.
Retrofit motors must rotate the cylinder far enough to lift the handle and throw the multipoint bolts — that is several turns, not the single turn of a simple deadlock. If the door only latches on closing, a single-throw motor is enough.
Related standards
TS 007 · Sold Secure SS312 · EN 1303 · EN 12209 · BS 8621
Reference devices
Recorded as engineering examples, not endorsements.
- Yale Linus L2 — Motor on the thumb-turn ✓ verified
- Aqara Smart Lock U200 — Motor replacing the interior handle ✓ verified
- 1Control DORY — Electronics integrated in the cylinder ✓ verified
Questions
What does TS007 3-star mean?
The cylinder passed independent attack testing for snapping, picking, drilling and bumping on its own. A 1-star cylinder is only acceptable when paired with a 2-star handle.
Can I keep my old cylinder and add a motor?
Yes mechanically, but if the old cylinder is unrated you keep the weakest part of the door. Upgrade to a 3-star cylinder at the same time.