"Rob Stokes" wrote in message
s.com...
Couple of thoughts...

Assuming you have a sub-panel in the shop, you could get a locking cover
(or
add a traditional pad lock) making sure you kill the breakers when you
leave
and lock the panel behind you. This way you don't have to shut power to
the
whole panel and can leave lighting etc. circuits on.

breakers aren't designed to be used as switches. doing so wears them out
lots more quickly.

If that doesn't work, you can get standard "safety switches" manufactured
by
companies such as Square-D etc. You can route the feed to a specific
circuit
through these and shut them off, locking them out with a pad lock as
needed.

You can also get industrial switching components (switches, key switches,
pilot lights etc) that can be made into a panel but this can get costly in
a
hurry (this would be the coolest *looking* option though!).

Go down to your local electrical wholesaler (NOT...Home Depot or other
building center) and explain what you're trying to do. This requirement
may
be new to you, but not to them and I'm pretty sure they'll come up with
something for you.

Good luck
Rob


"Gren" wrote in message
.. .
I have two small children that love to visit me in my workshop. My
worry
has always been that one day they may visit the shop when I'm not there
and
some how turn on a machine and feed their hands in. Right now I keep
the
door locked and ALWAYS unplug the machines.

I want to add another level of safety by putting onoff / key switch
controllers on all the machines but mounted on the wall well out of
the
reach of any child.

Has anyone done something like this and if so where is a good place to
purchase the equipment.