Outside Breaker Box: Do you have any concerns regarding your breaker box’s security? Do you want to know how to lock a breaker box outside?
Do you know the best and simplest way to install a door lock on a circuit breaker panel?
Locking your circuit breaker panel is one way to keep it safe. Furthermore, employing a cabinet lock is the most typical method of locking an outside breaker box. It is simple to install and just needs a few basic tools that you probably already have at home.
In order to install a cabinet lock for your circuit breaker panel, continue reading.
Outside Breaker Box: What You’ll Need
Installing a cabinet lock as the main outsider breaker lock is an easy approach to safeguard your electrical panel. The fact that you can do it despite the sort of breaker panel you have is even better. The equipment required to install an outdoor circuit breaker box lock are listed below.
- An installation kit for a cabinet lock on the breaker panel. As long as it is compact and fits your breaker panel, any brand of cabinet door lock will do.
- A screwdriver to install the cabinet lock set and remove and replace the panel cover
- Nuts and screws
- Pair of pliers for removing the knockout cover
- If your panel cover doesn’t already have a knockout hole, use a hand drill to create one.
Step-by-Step Guide for Securing an Outside Breaker Box
The exterior lid of the breaker box should be locked for maximum security. It is ideal, particularly for exterior breaker panels that a burglar could use to turn off the power to your home security system.
How to Set Up a Lock on an Outside Breaker Box Door.
Step 1: Take apart the panel cover
One by one, remove the screws on the panel cover’s sides with your screwdriver. By removing the panel cover in this manner, you will be able to complete your installation without risking damage to the inside parts of your breaker panel.
However, take care to keep the cover from falling and to avoid touching anything inside your panel. Before beginning work, it’s a good idea to turn off your primary breaker to increase safety.
Step 2: Attach the Offset Cam to the Body of the Cover Panel.
Your panel’s cover probably has a small circular cutout on it when you check it. With the aid of your pliers, remove the knockout component. Next, insert the offset cam using the bolt screw and hex nut.
To cut a little hole for your offset cam installation, however, you can use your hand drill if there are no knockout sections on your panel cover.
Step 3: Attach the lock to the cover’s door.
You can also see the knockout part, which might match the cabinet lock, on the door of your panel cover close to its latch. If you can’t find a knockout area on the door of your panel cover, you can make one with your hand drill in a manner similar to how you did with the offset cam installation.
After that, you can secure the cover panel’s door with the cabinet door lock. Don’t forget to take a measurement of the distance between the offset cam and the door lock as well. It needs to be installed exactly in order to use its locking features.
Step 4: Replace the panel’s cover.
Reassemble the panel cover that covers the breaker panel after installing the cabinet lock. But before doing so, make sure the lock is functional by testing it. After making sure it’s functioning once more, it’s time to put it back together and attach it to the wall.
Put the cover over the panel while firmly holding it in place. Then, put the two center screws in first. After loosening your hold, screw the other side into place, and you’re finished. You currently have a lock on your panel.
Outside Breaker Box: Can My Electrical Panel Be Locked?
You should be aware that installing a lock system in your electrical panel is normally not recommended for safety reasons, even if there are no electrical laws that prohibit or restrict doing so.
It’s because, in the event of a house fire, locking an electricity box could delay first responders. Additionally, it explains why all electrical inspectors advise against ever locking the panel breaker and always keeping it accessible.
There is another way to lock a breaker box if you don’t want to use an electrical box lock. You can conceal your breaker panel with a picture frame or by creating a cover specifically for it. This strategy, meanwhile, is only suitable for a panel breaker in your house.
Reason Why the Outside Breaker Box is outside the house
It is possible for firemen to turn off the main circuits of the building during a fire if the circuit breaker box is outdoors.
Electrical service panels are likely to be located outside of many relatively new residences.
Some of the potential benefits of Keeping the Break Box Outside include:
- Availability
Since the main breaker is located outside the house, accessibility problems shouldn’t arise. However, placing the primary circuit breaker in a position like a basement may not be the best choice for those with mobility issues. - Increased Safely
The likelihood of electrical and fire threats is lower when there are typically no other items positioned next to an electricity box outside a residence. In contrast, the constrained space of some indoor locations might make those risks worse.
Be aware that a breaker box should ideally have at least 30 inches of clearance on all sides from adjacent objects. To further improve safety, the panel should have a height clearance of at least 6-1/2 feet.
How Do You Secure the Outside Breaker Box?
There are various methods for securing a breaker box outside your home. Locking the assembly is one way to keep burglars from getting access to the circuit breakers.
If you want to lock your external service panel securely, follow this simple guide:
What You’ll Require
- cabinet lock
- Screwdriver
- power drill
- Pliers
- A set of screws and nuts
Conclusion
So, do you know how to use a cabinet lock to secure an outside breaker box? The installation of this lock is simple and only requires a few basic tools, making it a good choice. Knowing that your electrical panel is secured against unwanted intrusion might provide you with a little more security.
You should now be aware of the purpose of the breaker box that is located outside the home. Be aware that installing the service panel indoors may still be a good idea. But doing so can also pose certain risks, particularly in the event of a fire.
Consider putting your circuit breaker box outside your house but still on your property as an alternative. You’ll be able to benefit from things like increased safety and accessibility.
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