Locking a disconnect in the on position

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racerdave3

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Western Massachusetts
Looking for thoughts on this one folks. I have a building that has 2 rooftop mounted refirigeration units for a kitchen below. Both of these units have non fused disconnects on them. There have been recent issues with vandals (kids) getting on the roof and shutting these units off. It has been requested to put padlocks on the disconnects in the ON position to eliminate the problem. My original thought was that this should not be done, but after talking with a few people and looking in the code, I cannot find any documetation that says this can't be done. What are your opinions on this?:?
 
racerdave3 said:
Looking for thoughts on this one folks. I have a building that has 2 rooftop mounted refirigeration units for a kitchen below. Both of these units have non fused disconnects on them. There have been recent issues with vandals (kids) getting on the roof and shutting these units off. It has been requested to put padlocks on the disconnects in the ON position to eliminate the problem. My original thought was that this should not be done, but after talking with a few people and looking in the code, I cannot find any documetation that says this can't be done. What are your opinions on this?:?
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Before reading my reply, remember that you asked for an opinion.

My opinion is that you should never have a switch locked in the "on" position. Never. It's a safety thing. You should always be able to turn it off in case of emergency.
 
In a desk at our shop is a drawer full of keys and a list of combinations that go to all kinds of locked on electrical equipment of some sort- fused and unfused switches, service disconnects, breaker panels, A/C units, transfer switches, pump control panels, electrical equipment rooms, etc, etc,....

When I go somewhere that is not a regular customer I almost always have to get someone to unlock something to something electrical. Either way I have yet to trip over a dead body while gaining access.

I would put the padlocks on and never it give it a second thought nor loose a minute of sleep.
 
It is no different than having a panel door locked or in a room with locked doors, disconnects and breakers are not EPO's.

Disconnects are for service purposes

Roger
 
I agree with those who say that the disconnect is not intended to serve as an emergency shut off device. It is there to provide a measure of safety to the maintenance person. So my opinion is that it is acceptable to lock them open.
 
Every time I go through the drive thru at McDonalds and see that big ole 1200 amp disconnect sitting on the back wall,with that big ole handle sticking way up in the air.

I think to myself, hmmmmmm .... they really ought to lock that disconnect on,,,,,,,,

cause the last time I ordered a big mac and got a 4 piece chicken mcnugget meal with apple dippers.

:)
 
charlie b said:
I agree with those who say that the disconnect is not intended to serve as an emergency shut off device. It is there to provide a measure of safety to the maintenance person. So my opinion is that it is acceptable to lock them open.
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Dont you mean lock them closed
 
Actually, I meant to say "on," and the word "open" was a typo (two extra letters). I shouldn't let that "pe" thing get in my way like that. ;)
 
charlie b said:
Actually, I meant to say "on," and the word "open" was a typo (two extra letters). I shouldn't let that "pe" thing get in my way like that. ;)
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Charlie we know it was only a typo not a froudian slip!

Hey I'm just trying to make 2000 posts this morning......:roll:
 
But make sure the key is not lost and maintenance, or management know how to unlock the lock.
 
edward said:
But make sure the key is not lost and maintenance, or management know how to unlock the lock.
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Oh sure, trying to teach something like that to some of the maintenace and management people I have run into would take another 12 years of school. ;)


Roger
 
roger said:
Oh sure, trying to teach something like that to some of the maintenace and management people I have run into would take another 12 years of school. ;)


Roger
Click to expand...

Don't worry, I have a universal pad lock key.

boltcutters.jpg
 
jaylectricity said:
Before reading my reply, remember that you asked for an opinion.

My opinion is that you should never have a switch locked in the "on" position. Never. It's a safety thing. You should always be able to turn it off in case of emergency.
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How is that different from an electrical room with a locked door?
 
tom baker said:
How is that different from an electrical room with a locked door?
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It's not. And I know we do it all the time. And I know that my opinion is not accounting for vandals and thieves. It's just an opinion on the way it should be done if it were possible.
 
Aside from the I agree you can lock the disconnects either open or closed remark, I do have a question.

Are these kids bringing their own ladder to climb the roof? Maybe you should arrange to secure the roof for liability issues in case they trip and fall for cash?
 
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