I’m wondering if anyone knows of a power “lockout” system designed for home shops<!—-><!—-><!—->
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I have a 1000SF woodshop next to the house with 240V 50A service via a sub panel. All power to the shop comes thru this panel. I also have 2 kids (2 ½ and 1) – my fear is they will one day press one of the big green buttons and turn on one of the tools <!—-><!—->
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What I would like to do is install some sort of “access control box” prior to the sub panel. This “box” would require me to enter an access code (one that I can set up) and then select the length of time power should flow thru the system. Once activated, the system will count down and eventually cut power to the shop<!—-> <!—->
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Does anyone know where something like this can be purchased? I’m not concerned with the size, look, etc of the device, so long as it controlled via an access code and will time out and cut power to the shop<!—-> <!—->
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Money is not a concern since the safety of my children is at stake<!—-> <!—->
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Thanks
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Edited 10/8/2008 1:30 pm ET by ctbytc
Replies
I had the exact issue. I put in a knife switch on the circuits to the major power tools only. That left the lights, and other outlets still hot, which is useful because air cleaners, chargers, and the like often need to be left on for a while even after you leave. Square D makes a large switch with a hole for a lock. Just use a combination lock or key. Works great ... and ... makes you feel like your are Dr. Frankenstein.
thanks
do you have a model number for the square D part?
Edited 10/8/2008 3:04 pm ET by ctbytc
Mine my not be the exact one you need. They are called "safety disconnects" and there are a variety of models: fusable, 110/220, and different amperage rating. Look at a Grainger catalog or Square-D on line. Or a good electrical store may help. Good luck. By they way. you should be more worried about the chisels and screwdivers at this age. My little guy ran his finger over the edge of a blade just to touch it. He had no idea it would cut him. I use a lockable tool cabinet for such things.
Why don't you just lock the door to the shop when you are not in there? If you want to kill power, flip the main on your panel.
Edited 10/9/2008 12:00 pm ET by K1500
its a converted 3 car garage, wife parks her car in the 3rd bay with the kids when its raining / cold outside
OK, That makes sense.
Try this:http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/categories/electrical/safety-switches/panel-disconnect-switches
The standard is to put a lock out electrical box at each power tool. If you put it up high enough, about 4 feet, it will be out of reach for little ones. You may not need to put a lock on it since it takes a bit of leverage to flip the switch.
Another option is to put a cover over the switch. Something like this:
View Image
It could be as simple as a hasp that covers the on switch.
Hope this helps.
Len
"You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time. " J. S. Knox
"Money is not a concern since the safety of my children is at stake"
I can design, manufacture and implement such a system for $5 million. Keep in mind that I usually charge upwards of $8m but with the economy in the state that it is in and well with the Euro falling to $1.36 my dollars have a lot more power while my wife is shopping in Paris.
Considering that money is not a concern, if you would kindly PM your address and bank information I will have a contract sent out with great urgency and little delay.
If I am not mistaken Norm did something very similar to this on one of the NYW shows. It had something to do with Garage Workshop. You might want to give the web site a visit and it might have information about what you need to do.
This may not be the solution that you're looking for, but industrial-sized timers are available from the large electrical companies (Square D, etc...). They are, however, quite expensive since the economies of scale that apply to such things as consumer lamp timers don't apply.
However, I'd suggest something simpler - from the standpoint of woodshop safety, your power tools should be unplugged at all times unless you're using them. It's not impossible that a little one might try to plug one in, but there's just as much danger that they'll stick a metal implement into the little holes in the wall where plugs go.
In addition to keeping them unplugged, you might consider installing magnetic on/off switches on the major tools like the table saw, jointer, bandsaw, and planer. These switches will stay in the "off" position regardless of whether the "on" button is pressed when there's no power to the tool, so there's no danger of an unexpected start-up when the machine's plugged in. You can buy them, and I believe FWW ran an article about making them in one of the previous issues.
There's another, albeit radical, solution for machines and children: teach them from an early age about danger, safety, and rules. My children have not had an unhealthy fascination with my workshop because they get to spend a lot of time in there (always with me, never alone) and I have instilled in them an appreciation for the danger that tools and machines hold. My 4 1/2 year old son is the most interested in being with dad while in the shop so I gave him some tools that he could use, real tools that don't have sharp edges and are unlikely to be dangerous (e.g. tape measure, small hammer, a square, some wrenches). He has his work area and I have the rest, we've come to an agreement. It's really quite a gift for me to have him in the shop banging away on his projects while I am working on mine. He also wears ear protection and some mini goggles that I found on leevalley.com, which also reminds me to wear mine to set a good example. I still take safety precautions like lowering my saw blade down below the table when I'm done for the day and hitting the disconnect on my machines (minimax machines... you have to twist one push switch to engage the the power switch, which is a separate switch). I think a power panel disconnect is a good idea but I would suggest that it's also something that is easy to over think.
Here is my solution. A $60 knife switch. I had the electrician install it when he put the sub panel in. My kids are to young to mess with it now, but it's worth the peace of mind when they're older.
In the end I think Woodman has a good solution. Teach them to respect the tools, and satisfy their curiosity. Its a good opportunity for quality time.
Buster
If the OP wants a timer so that if he forgets to power off it will do it then a possibility is to use a consumer timer to operate a heavy duty relay or a contactor like those used in automatically controlled pumps.You can operate a contactor for a 35kW pump with a current less than 1 Amp. The contactors are not exactly cheap. If I remember correctly they cost 150 Euros and up (Call it around $200). But it's been a few years since I last signed any orders for individual items.The contactor will remain latched until the actuating signal is removed or it senses an overload condition.
A really cheap solution is a powerbar mounted on the ceiling (or high on the wall)
by the time they can reach it they will probably know not to touch the spinning blade of a TS
I'm just sayin'
It's not automated like what you envision, but power to my panel is controlled by a disconnect switch whose handle is padlocked closed with a combination lock when I'm not around. Also, whenever the panel is energized, power is supplied to a red light bulb, that reminds me that power is on, should I forget to cut the power on my way out. It's pretty effective: the bright red glow when you turn off the lights is a reminder that can't be ignored.
I don't think I'd like machine power to be on a timer. Having power cut out in the middle of using a machine could be dangerous.
You're right to put the onus on you to ensure a safe situation. Teaching kids safety rules is essential, but you don't want the penalty for a little one's curiosity getting the better of him to be a lifelong injury, or worse.
good idea on the lightbulb
thanks
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