Unusual Square D breakers

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thb

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Have these unusual square D breakers in a panel of a friends. Trying to find more information but not having much luck online. Has anyone seen these and how do they work?
 

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Those are Square D QOK key operated circuit breakers. Page 8:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...YXu55jKyozx_Ag&bvm=bv.149397726,d.eWE&cad=rja

QOK and QOBK Key-Operated Circuit Breakers
Key-operated QOK and QOBK circuit breakers provide an alternative means for turning a circuit
breaker ON or OFF, as well as for resetting a tripped circuit breaker. The circuit breaker is turned on,
off or reset with a special key included with the circuit breaker. Key-operated circuit breakers are
available in one-pole construction only and can be mounted in any one-pole space which will accept a
standard QO circuit breaker. These circuit breakers are available in 10–30 A ratings, with interrupting
ratings of 10 kA at 120 Vac.
Replacement keys are available separately. Factory-installed or field-installable accessories are not
available on key-operated circuit breakers.
Click to expand...
 
They look kind of corroded as well. I'm guessing these are in a commercial setting and not residential. I can see where it might have been part of a security measure years ago where only authorized personnel had access to turn breakers on or off. I guess that was before lockable panel covers.:cool:
 
thb said:
Have these unusual square D breakers in a panel of a friends. Trying to find more information but not having much luck online. Has anyone seen these and how do they work?
Click to expand...

iwire said:
That is something I never knew of.
Click to expand...

Have never seen these either.:cool:

Guessing they are intended to discourage someone from messing with a critical circuit ?
 
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steve66 said:
Is it just me, or does the "key" look like an allen wrench?
Click to expand...

It is, just that.
These were often used in commercial situations where the 'janitor' had the key, similar to the keyless light switches.

I can believe they would be in the common areas of a multi-family residence, but not in a plain home.
 
steve66 said:
Is it just me, or does the "key" look like an allen wrench?
Click to expand...
It may look that way but "unauthorized people" don't carry allen wrenches:slaphead:

And being Square D I'm sure that key (Allen wrench) costs a few $$. Unless, of course, it's made by Klien or Greenlee. Then you'll have to leave a piece of your finger along with the $$.:cool:
 
Though it is called a "key" it is by no means a high security type of key. No different then a sill cock that needs a "key" to operate it. They are something that can be overridden by some pretty common tools and not need a precision type of "key".

I have seen them a few times myself. Always supplying a load that they did not want someone to accidentally turn off, with this type of operator you need to be a little more deliberate if you are turning it off since you need a tool to do so instead of just flipping handles.

These have been around long before LOTO became a big deal. I have no idea if there is a method to lock them today. I guess anything that would block access to the "key hole" and can be locked into position would be just as effective as handle locks that are commonly used.

Keep in mind a typical padlock attachment for a QO breaker can easily be removed from the breaker if the panel cover is off. Locking devices that are commonly put in use are not 100% tamper proof. But safety policies often have stiff penalties for removing anything that is locked/tagged without proper authority to remove it, so the general rule is not to tamper with any lock without first finding out more information on why it is locked.
 
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