Circuit Breaker Lockout Devices: Clamp-on, MCB

Breaker Locks

Keep maintenance personnel safe and prevent workplace accidents with the right lockout tagout circuit breaker locks. TRADESAFE has a premium-quality line of locks available for both miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) and standard circuit breakers.

Clamp-on circuit breaker lockouts can easily secure single-pole breaker toggles that are ⅝” to 2-¾” wide and ½” to 1” thick. Meanwhile, miniature circuit breaker lockout devices come in variations, including Pin-Out Wide, Pin-In Standard, Pin-Out Standard, and Tie Bar Lockout.

TRADESAFE circuit breaker lockouts can secure breaker switches quickly and effectively - no need to worry about costly or dangerous operational or human errors. These locks are made of industrial-grade, non-conductive, and corrosion-resistant materials, guaranteeing compliance with OSHA. Plus, they are easy to install and won’t require the use of screwdrivers or any other kinds of tools.

FAQ

What are electrical safety risks?

Electrical safety risks can include underground electrical wires, elevated electrical wires, electrical shocks or arc flashes from damaged wiring, and more. In industrial workplaces, it’s important to make sure that employees can reduce or even eliminate risks by executing proper lockout tagout procedures.

Lockout tagout procedures are designed to block hazardous energy from the source or, at the very least, physically prevent machines from accessing hazardous energy. Circuit breaker locks are made to cut off power at the source. Thus, if an employee happens to come by and plugs in a machine that’s under repair or maintenance, the machine will not re-energize. Any repair or maintenance personnel working on the machine will therefore be safe from harm.

What tools should I use to prevent electrical hazards?

Employees should use personal protective equipment as well as the proper lockout tagout devices to prevent electrical hazards and keep themselves safe from injury. Aside from PPE like the proper gloves, boots, suits, and more, employees should also use circuit breaker locks, plug locks, and other devices.

Plug locks can prevent specific machines from being plugged into an electric power source. However, electricity can still flow to other machines in the same area. A circuit breaker lockout, however, can shut off electricity in entire areas, thus ensuring that no electronic machines in those areas will be able to run.

What is a circuit breaker lock?

A lockout tagout circuit breaker lock is a device that is used to prevent specific electrical circuits from being turned on or off when a machine is under repair or maintenance. The lock has to be installed on a circuit breaker, then locked and tagged appropriately.

Circuit breaker locks are designed to lock a circuit breaker switch into the off or on position. The switch will remain in that position for as long as the lock is installed. Once the lock is removed, the circuit breaker can then be engaged and turned on or off.

These locks are an essential part of lockout tagout procedures because they help effectively isolate sources of hazardous electrical energy. They also come in different sizes to accommodate circuit breakers of differing voltages.

What is the purpose of locking out an electrical circuit?

In lockout tagout, the main purpose of locking out an electrical circuit is to prevent electricity from powering certain machinery or equipment. Typically, this is because a particular machine has to be repaired or serviced. Stopping the flow of electricity to the machine keeps it from turning on and potentially harming the repair or maintenance personnel working on it.

Once any repair or maintenance work is done, employees have to follow a set of procedures to remove the locks they installed. This includes removing electrical circuit breaker locks, which can only be removed by the authorized employees who installed them.

How do electrical shocks occur?

When a part of your body comes into contact with a source of electricity, an electrical shock can occur. Electrical currents can also travel through the air, which can then come into contact with your or other exposed body parts.

Not all electrical shocks are equal, and the severity can vary depending on the voltage of the electrical current. Electrical shocks caused by high-voltage electrical currents can cause severe injuries, even death. Thus, proper electrical lockout tagout using the right devices, such as circuit breaker locks, is important in making sure that employees are safe from electrical shocks.

How do you lock a circuit breaker?

You can lock a circuit breaker by using the right circuit breaker lock. Circuit breaker locks are typically easy to use and easy to secure. Clamp-on locks in particular can easily be clamped over a circuit breaker switch, then secured with a lockout tagout safety padlock.

It’s also important to make sure that these circuit breaker locks are correctly tagged. This way, other employees can be informed of why the circuit breaker is locked out, who installed the lock, when it was installed, and more.

How do circuit breakers prevent electrical fires?

Circuit breakers are the essential devices necessary to prevent any electrical fire in the workplace. They shut off power when an issue is detected on a circuit.

What is the OSHA requirement for breaker locks?

Durable – must be able to withstand exposure to weather conditions or wet and damp environments in the industrial workplace.
Standardized – locks must be standardized according to color, shape, or size.
Substantial – the lock must not simply be subverted or removed while in use to prevent access by non-authorized personnel.
Identifiable – must be able to identify the employee who applied them.

Exclusive for Safety – must be used for safety alone and not interfere with the normal intended operation of the circuit breaker or switch.

What types of industrial circuit breaker locks does TRADESAFE offer?

Depending on the size of the circuit breaker lockout device needed, there are different mechanisms used for the convenience of the authorized personnel. Clamp-on, push-button, and thumbscrew mechanisms are very easy to use.

Circuit Breaker Clamp-On Lock – the versatile type that can easily secure single-pole breaker toggles that are ⅝” to 2-¾” wide and ½” to 1” thick. Available for 120/277 Volt, 480/600 Volt, and 480/600 Volt (Oversized).

Miniature Circuit Breaker Lock – designed for single- and multi-pole circuit breakers. Available in Pin-Out Wide, Pin-In Standard, Pin-Out Standard, and Tie Bar.

Circuit Breaker Lockout Block Components – locks large and irregularly shaped circuit breaker switches and works best with most 480/600V circuit breakers.

What breaker locks should I use for miniature circuit breakers (MCBs)?

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) are safety locks that prevent short circuits and overcurrents in electrical circuits. Several different MCB types are available – types A, B, C, D, K, and Z – all of which are designed to respond to the expected power of electrical surges in different settings.

Below are the most commonly used Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) lockout devices:

Pin-Out Wide – designed for single- and multi-pole circuit breakers; accommodates up to ⅘” hole spacing.

Pin-In Standard – designed for single- and multi-pole circuit breakers; accommodates up to ½” hole spacing.

Pin-Out Standard – designed for single- and multi-pole circuit breakers; accommodates up to ½" hole spacing.

Tie Bar – designed for single- and multi-pole circuit breakers; best use for circuit breakers with tie bars.

Can TRADESAFE breaker locks be used for Square D Breakers?

Yes. Our circuit breaker locks work with most circuit breaker types. A certain breaker model may require a specific circuit breaker lockout. We recommend that you go through all of our circuit breaker lockout options here to determine which one works best for you.

Is a circuit breaker a lockout device?

No, a circuit breaker is not a lockout device. It is an electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. During LOTO procedures, it is locked out using a circuit breaker lockout to ensure it does not automatically turn on.

By definition, a lockout device is any device that can isolate energy sources so that a piece of equipment is de-energized. This is a safety mechanism for reducing electrical hazards in the workplace.

What is a circuit breaker lockout ring?

A circuit breaker lockout ring is a collar that prevents the accidental closing of circuit breakers connected to equipment that is under maintenance or repair. The ring is usually colored red and may come with an accompanying tag. The tags are colored red and have white lettering for the warning labels.

Are circuit breaker lockout devices color-coded?

Yes, circuit breaker lockout devices are color-coded to simplify the identification process during maintenance and repairs. This system also increases efficiency while reducing the margin for errors.

The colors include dark green, honey, red, blue, yellow, pearl, and light green. You may form your system by associating the colors with corresponding circuits or authorized personnel. Most circuit breaker lockout devices come in the color red for increased visibility and identification.

How to install a pin-in standard, pin-out standard, or pin-out wide miniature circuit breaker (MCB)?

First, locate the hole at the center of the circuit breaker casing. Next, take either a pin-in standard, pin-out standard, or pin-out wide circuit breaker lockout that appropriately fits your circuit breaker. Make sure to keep the circuit breaker in the OFF position. Then, push the circuit breaker lockout device button to loosen the pins. Align the pins to the holes and then release the button to lock it in place. Lastly, place a lockout padlock to the hole to complete the process.

How do you use a miniature circuit breaker tie bar lockout device?

The miniature circuit breaker tie bar lockout is typically used for circuit breakers with tie bar designs. It also fits single- or multi-pole breakers. The TBLO comes with a distinct design and it is operable with a single button. It is easy to install and use without the need for a professional. It also comes with a thumbwheel for convenient deployment.

To use a tie bar lockout device, start by placing the circuit breaker in the OFF position. Place the metal clip of the TBLO between the poles, under the tie bar. Rotate the thumbwheel in a clockwise direction to secure. Finally, attach a padlock to secure the TBLO in place.

Collection: Breaker Locks

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