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#43684 10/20/04 04:35 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2
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stmarys Offline OP
Junior Member
Hi All! New member here.

I work maintenance for a large church built in 1850. A lot of things we have around here have been here a long time, including these:

[Linked Image from stmarysoswego.org]

They are used to stop people from switching off breakers that shouldn't be touched (ie. refrigerators, water heaters, etc.). Anyone know if and where these are still available?

Thanks,
Joe


St. Mary's Maintenance
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 697
D
Member
I don't know about those items, stmarys, but you can get LOTOs that will keep people from turning off the switches.

Dave

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
Hi there Joe.
Welcome to ECN!. [Linked Image]
I don't personally like the idea of fitting a device to a circuit breaker that prevents it from tripping, it sort of negates having the breaker in the first place. [Linked Image]

Mike :]

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 201
Member
Mike, circuit breakers are required to be trip free. That means that even if the handle were locked, the internal mechanism would still operate. What it will do is prevent you from resetting the circuit breaker after it trips. [Linked Image]

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Charlie Eldridge, Indianapolis, Utility Power Guy


Charlie Eldridge, Indianapolis Utility Power Guy
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
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Moderator
Mike not to worry our breakers will trip even if you glue the handle.

All these do is keep people from turning off breakers that must stay on.

The one in the picture fits Square D breakers and is still available


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
C
Member
How does one go about putting that on? and trumppy when a breaker trips it will trip even if the handle is held in place (I think) thants why you have to reingage the handle after it trips by pushing all the off and back on


Theres always enough room in the junction box.You just need a bigger hammer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 597
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Member


Al Hildenbrand
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2
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stmarys Offline OP
Junior Member
Thanks a lot everyone! To address the question of whether the breakers will still trip with this clamp in place, yes. We've had them trip before. A special thanks to ElectricAL! I'm going to order a bunch tomorrow.


St. Mary's Maintenance
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507
G
Member
They are commonly found on Fire Alarm and similar loads in my area.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,876
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e57 Offline
Member
"question of whether the breakers will still trip with this clamp in place, yes. We've had them trip before."

Not that they will trip, but "trip free" (Very important!), not all breakers will trip free, meaning that the handle can be held closed and the breaker mechinism will still trip free of the handle. Not all breakers will.


Mark Heller
"Well - I oughta....." -Jackie Gleason
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