Discover the benefits of a circuit breaker lockout

• Posted on 19 June

How do a lockout for circuit breaker increase safety?

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During machinery maintenance, it is essential that the equipment does not start up unexpectedly. This prevents the employee working on the equipment from being exposed to danger. Think, for example, of electric shock or short circuit with dangerous consequences.
To prevent this, circuit breaker lockout come in different shapes and sizes to suit various situations. These lockouts are versatile, portable and offer options for use with multiple padlocks . This makes them a valuable asset for maintenance personnel working with electrical systems. By using lockouts for circuit breakers, organisations can effectively reduce the risks associated with electrical maintenance, ultimately resulting in a safer working environment for all employees.

How does a lockout circuit breaker work

Lockouts keep circuit breakers in the off position during equipment maintenance. After the circuit breaker is secured, a padlock is required to prevent unauthorised personnel from removing the lockout. These devices are an essential part of a Lockout-Tagout procedure (LOTO) designed to comply with OSHA's hazardous energy control standard.

The range of lockouts for circuit breakers

These products can all be found at Lockout-tagout-shop.com. If you would like to take a look yourself among all the available locks for circuit breakers, click here.

A suitable lock for your situation

Besides these three locks, our range offers many other locks to suit various situations. In the Lockout-tagout-shop.com, discover the various circuit breaker locks from popular and experienced companies in the industry such as ABUS, Brady and Master Lock.

In addition, one or more padlocks are often needed to put the locks into operation. In our Lockout-tagout-shop.com, you will find dozens of security padlocks in various shapes and sizes.

Found this on today’s inspection. Home was built 8 months ago. I have read about breaker locks and there doesn’t seem to be much concern over them. I have not seen one in person on an inspection however. Is this a type of one of these locks? Square D panel, breaker is for the oven, “wire” bracket was pushed up against the breaker handle holding it in the ON position. I am writing the report now but have a couple of days to get it to the client, so no need to post in the “Emergency” section. TIA…

Also, what would be the reasoning behind these types of locks?

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Yep, similar to a service disconnect at a piece of equipment. It’s so the guy working on the appliance can be sure it’s not going to be turned on while he’s got his hands in it.

What I’ve never understood about those particular ones is as they often sit (like in OP’s top pic) it looks like it would prevent the breaker from triggering off if needed.

There is some equipment that you want to communicate to anyone working on/near the panel, that you do not want it turned off. For instance, life/safety equipment, or sometimes even production type assembly equipment. The lock just makes sure the right process is followed to turn it off.

May I point one thing out, look at the bottom of the shackle’s position in the molded case retention base. The shackle foot is almost disengaged. I guess there would be pay when engaging a position change but you most pay attention. Any more movement and the shackle might would go flying across the room or even into the eye of the operator. In this case, SOP is spot on. Do not touch or operate breakers.

Sorry for the necro thread here.

Ran across this exact same breaker lock out today. Rinky dink. Brand new build, pre-close.

I too am used to Lockout Tag out in the industrial world. Had to take a refresher class in it every year, had an entire cabinet full of the various devices. They were quite beefy…this little thing. Sheesh.

When I pulled the dead front it popped off.

This is my first with this style. Mine just dropped to the floor and the garage was essentially empty so no issues there. The cover didn’t like it much. It was half full of plug-on neutral afci/gfci breakers which didn’t help with the fit. Seems like this was just a band-aid solution.

I’ve had the screws drop down into a pile of customer’s “stuff” before. I try for about a minute then just hit my stash of the damn things in the vehicle.

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