On Jun 9, 4:16*am, wrote:
I have a friend who runs a business. *Their main breaker is on the
outside of the building right along a busy back alley. *Inside the
building directly behind that main breaker is the panel with all the
individual breakers. *The box looks similar to this:http://www.solarpanelstore.com/assets/ch_dpb222r.jpg

If you look on the bottom, there is the tab that sticks out with the
hole, which is meant for a small padlock. *The problem is that the box,
had a plastic tab. *Why the manufacturer used a plastic tab (the rest of
the box is metal), is beyond me. *It had a lock on it, but the plastic
tab broke off, and ever since people keep shutting off the power at
least once a month. *That affects all kinds of electronic equipment
inside, and disrupts business. *The business owner is a woman who dont
understand all the technical issues, she just wants the box to be tamper
proof. *I told her I'd see what can be done, and will install something
if possible.

I suggested drilling a few holes and putting a hasp on the box, with pop
rivets and padlocking it, but I tend to wonder if there is any sort of
legal requirements. *I suppose in the event of a fire, the Fire Dept
might want to shut off the power. *This makes me question what to do.
I'm also not sure who to ask locally about this? *Maybe the power
company?????

Anyone know anything about this?

One other thought was to drill a hole right below that slot and just use
a cable tie through the slot and the hole. *Anyone can cut it off, but
it might be enough to discourage them. *Right now all they need to do is
lift the cover and shut off the breaker. *At least a cable tie would
require more effort by tamperers, and still be easily cut in an
emergency.

Is this covered in the USA electrical codes? *I dont have the book.
(Are the codes available online?)

Gene

It sounds more like the business whose electrical service is
arranged in this manner got hosed by the contractor which
installed that particular style of enclosure given its location
and the fact that it can be tampered with...

You should look at what possible replacements you could
install which would be more tamper resistant... Installing
an accessory padlock hasp on the particular enclosure
you have now might only result in damage to the
enclosure the next time the pranksters want to play at
flipping the switch...

Is that the only means of service disconnect ?
Is the meter can located adjacent to it ?
Is the breaker panel inside main lug only or does it
have an additional means of disconnect {a main breaker)
also ?

It seems like the question to ask is why that specific
type of equipment was installed... Was it required
by the AHJ or was it just the best the contractor
who installed it could cobble together ?