Removable "key" for electric mains?
I have a small workshop/shed with some power tools and want to ensure that my kids cannot turn them on accidentally or on purpose without me present.
Is there some way to have a removable "key" that I can keep in the house which would physically disconnect all plug points in the shed?
I'm sure I've seen such removable connections for emergency use.
I'm not even sure what it's called to search for it.
15 replies
Google for "keyed isolator switch". There is a boatload on the market.
Yes, thanks! This is what I was imagining.
Someone else mentioned a breaker lockout which will absolutely do what you've asked.
A similar idea is to get plug lockouts. It goes over the plug of the tool/machine you want to prevent from being energized. This would let you keep power on but the tools can not be powered on.
You want to search for lockout and/or loto. You can get locks that use the same key too.
Do not rely on those plastic key things that some tool companies put on their machines. They are stupid easy to bypass.
The closest thing I can think of is a disconnect. These basically are a box with a block that can be removed/flipped, generally seen on air conditioners. If you just took the block with you this would effectively stop them. If your kids are the kind to cause mischief, you can also padlock most of these styles of disconnects (and other styles of shutoffs).
If you have ever seen a "welder outlet" in an industrial setting, the switchbox/disconnect associated with it is basically what you are looking for. Has a handle you can lock out with a padlock
Looks like a fused disconnect is what I was looking for. Thanks!
You can get non fused disconnects as well
The shed should have a distinct breaker box, correct? A breaker lockout is probably the device you're looking for.
That should work, thanks!
Pick up an old fused box! This is how they all were 80 years ago :-)
Can you post a photo of where power is getting to the shed? It should be a breaker sub panel and it should have a “lockout” tab. You can simply throw the breakers and put a lock on the panel.
The breaker panel is outside the shed (I understand this is by code) and low enough to be within reach of my son. I would prefer something inside the shed.
Put a lock on the breaker panel.
Not sure if this is what you mean but if all the plugs are on their own circuit you can just just turn them all off in your breaker box by flipping the switch on the breaker.
Most boxes I've seem have a place to put a padlock for extra security too