What is this?

Originally Posted By: mbailey
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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?


![](upload://yWLKDF5uKD3SXgFCST3mdznLH2R.jpeg)


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Mark Bailey
Stonegate Property Inspections LLC
Ponca, NE

Originally Posted By: tallen
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Mark,


You are correct.


It is part of a lock-out to keep the breaker from being turned on or off.



I have put the past behind me,


where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.


www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005

Originally Posted By: Dan Weber
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Mark,


That is absolutly what that device is for “Lock out Tag out”



Dan Weber


SSG, US Army


Quality Assurance Inspector


Engineers Lead the Way!

Originally Posted By: Bob Badger
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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.



Bob (AKA iwire)


ECN Discussion Forums


Mike Holt Code Forum

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?? ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif)

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.


--
ABC Home Inspection, LLC

Originally Posted By: rjones1
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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. icon_smile.gif


Originally Posted By: rstephens
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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
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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. ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)


--
Bob (AKA iwire)
ECN Discussion Forums
Mike Holt Code Forum

Originally Posted By: rfarruggia
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what about an iron lung?


Originally Posted By: tallen
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Thank you Bob icon_smile.gif Less typing for me



I have put the past behind me,


where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.


www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005

Originally Posted By: mbailey
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Thanks to everyone for confirming my thoughts and the extra info.



Mark Bailey


Stonegate Property Inspections LLC


Ponca, NE