locking electrical panels

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guysafety

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What is the legality of not locking an electrical panel that mainly supplies power to lighting, office space and such? My access panels directly covering the switched=s and circuit breakers are generally unlocked, however the larger panel surrounding the enclosure is locked, protectin the live power supply wires....
It makes sense to leave the smaller access panels unlocked in the event of an emergency, and that seems to be "readily accessible". But is this compliant?
Thanks so much for any comments
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
The NEC is silent about locks on panels.

All the NEC cares is if the live parts are covered.

Some panels do not have any doors and some have very strong doors with high quality locks, it all depends on what you order.
 

mdshunk

Senior Member
Location
Right here.
There is no requirement that the branch breakers be quickly or easily accessible for any sort of real or imagined "emergency". Lock 'em if you want to. Matter of fact, other codes sometimes require it. The JACHO standards, for instance.
 
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