Security screws, also known as tamper-proof screws, are mostly standard screws but have a unique feature that can distinguish them from others. They are designed to make it difficult to remove them with common tools. This secure design of M3 x 5mm screws helps minimize the risk of vandalism and disassembly. For example, tamper-proof screws are sometimes used to retain high-cost equipment, just like electronics.
How to Identify Security Screws?
It is very easy to identify M3 x 5mm screws from their unique drive style. They do not have the traditional head designs that engage a flat Phillips screwdriver, but security screws have unconventional drives that only use specialized tools.
Some of examples include:
- Security screws have a star or six-lobe drive and consist of a central pin.
- Spanner or snake eye security screws that consist of two drive holes
- Customer key screws are designed for fitting only a single proprietary driver bit that the manufacturer provides.
There are additional backstops added to customized screws for protection purposes. This might include the security clearance or the serial numbers while placing the order.
What are Unconventional Drive Styles?
There are many varieties of unconventional drive styles. However, they share one common feature: the difficult installation and removal of the screws without any compatible security bit or drive.
One-Way Screws
One-way screws are also known as irreversible screws and are named according to their drive styles. The head of the screw has a slotted drive that immediately causes a cam out if the driver is somehow turned in the wrong direction. This is accomplished when the drive is manufactured in quadrants that are slowly raised to accept the driver bit when the screw is brought a turn in the right direction and reject it when the screw is turned in the left direction. Installation of the screws is made easier and needs only a standard slotted bit, but removing the screw becomes difficult when no corresponding bit is available.
One Way Screws are generally found in open regions, for example, washroom apparatuses and partitions, tag outlines on vehicles, divider or floor mounted safes, and any place altering after establishment turns into a security issue.
Spanner Security Screws
Tamper-proof spanner screws are usually installed by using a spanner bit. They are also known as snake eye screws because they have two dotted drive systems. These security screws prevent objects from being tampered with, like license plates, grills in jails and schools, etc.
Torx Security Screws
Torx security screws can only be driven with security bits and are used for theft and tampering. They have 6 lobes or star drive with a central pin. The pin provides the screws with greater tamper resistance.
Tri-Groove Security Screws
Tri-Groove Security Nuts consist of a tapered diameter that makes the nuts resistant to gripping devices. A special tri-groove socket is used to install these screws that grip the indentations and the fastener’s exterior to turn the nut along a thread.
Applications
M3 x 5mm Screws are used for other applications like industrial infrastructure, medical and pharmaceutical industries, correction facilities, the aerospace and automotive industries, government sites, financial institutions, etc.
Security screws are also popular among hotels because they help deter customers from tampering with furnishing and classic auto collectors utilize them to put license plates on different cars.
