Originally Posted By: mbailey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I have never run into this before ? this week have done two homes in the same sub division that have this metal bracket over one of the breakers. It is kind of hard to see in the picture but the tab at the top of the bracket has a opening/slot in it. It looks to be some sort of lock out device.
Any ideas as to what this is?
-- Mark Bailey
Stonegate Property Inspections LLC
Ponca, NE
Originally Posted By: Bob Badger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Yes LOTO, you will see these more as electricians figure out that these cost less than installing disconnect switches at certain appliances or HVAC equipment.
Originally Posted By: Kevin McMahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Bob Badger wrote:
Yes LOTO, you will see these more as electricians figure out that these cost less than installing disconnect switches at certain appliances or HVAC equipment.
It's not much of a disconnect switch if you are locked out of turning the appliance off?? 
I could see the need for it to lock someone out of turning an appliance on, but not locking out someone from turning the appliance/circuit off.
Originally Posted By: rjones1 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The devise is simply designed to lock the breaker in the off position. The picture (almost) clearly shows that the breaker toggle is directly under the hole in the on position. When the breaker is switched to off, the hole is then clear to insert a lockable hasp, or whatever.
I can’t imagine anyone designing a devise to lock a breaker on.
Originally Posted By: rstephens This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
If it locks the breaker off that is a great idea my wife just about fried me one time when I was working on the dryer outlet, She thought she was turning on the hot water heater. OUCH… Funny thing is the label beside the switch said Dryer.
Originally Posted By: Bob Badger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
This device will lock the breaker off and it will keep the breaker from being manually turned off.
If you look the hole in the metal for the padlock is an oval so it can be used for either purpose.
No in a house, I can not think of a good reason to lock a breaker in the on position but it is allowed and not a violation.
In a commercial setting you may very well want / need to lock breakers on.
Refrigeration, computers, phone equipment, etc. the manufactures keep things easy by making one device to do both functions.
Remember breakers are designed to operate even if you glued the handle on, it will still trip if overloaded. 
