How many lock their automation panels?

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I always feel torn about whether to lock my EasyTouch automation panel or not. I have never locked it.

I touch it often enough that unlocking would be an annoyance. I live in a pretty safe neighborhood, but you never know what teenagers will find amusing. I think I recently saw a post about someone having their circuit breakers stolen (sheesh).

The other thing is, many of the wires between the panel and the equipment are exposed and others are within easily cut conduits. So there's no way to render the setup truly safe.

I have many more important things to keep me up at night but was just wondering how you all handle this.

 

[Katodude]

Locking it wont do anything. If somebody wants to get in, they will just break the panel. Or rip out the wires.

Put a motion activated light out there. That will make it easier to use in the dark and scare away most intruders.

 

[Dirk]

This is what video surveillance is for. Not to catch criminals, but to encourage them to go rob someone else.

I do lock my circuit breaker panel. It's of questionable value. I don't want anyone depowering my automation and video systems. But they could get past the lock with a large screw driver. Most locks are for honest people, not criminals.

The other issue is safety. Think police or firefighters, or other rescue personnel, or even a concerned neighbor, that might need to get into circuit breakers and control panels. Maybe someone would need to shut down your spa in a medical emergency. Or turn off your pump if a critical pipe broke that was draining your pool while you were away from home.

Locking up breakers is a dual-edged sword. I leave my EasyTouch unlocked, but my main breaker panel locked. But as I said, one could bypass the breaker panel lock with a screw driver. It's really just to keep kids from messing with it, but in an emergency someone could get to it relatively easily.

If you want something to keep you up, you could worry more about the other stuff. 2 minutes and a sawsall will free your pump(s) and an SWG. That's might be 3-5Gs worth of stuff, right out the side gate. Not even that for pool vacs and robots. You wanna build a pool equipment shed to protect everything? That might extend it to 3 minutes. Whaddayagonnado?

Motion lights plus cams is probably your best bet.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I do have a motion light/cam pointed at my equipment. It works fine, but not much use to ID a hoodie wearing delinquent.

 

[Dirk]

I do have a motion light/cam pointed at my equipment. It works fine, but not much use to ID a hoodie wearing delinquent.

Yah, that's what I meant: they're not much for catching criminals after the fact. But case in point: a neighbor had a break-in while away from home, their cam system alerted them to the motion, and they called the police from wherever they were. Police showed up in time, thief took off over fences and dropped his backpack of stolen items in someone else's backyard, a few houses away, presumably not to get caught with it. There were two thieves, and the cops caught one still in the house (so much for the buddy system). And all the stolen items were rounded up. So surveillance can be a workable deterrent.

We've talked about this before on the forum. You can't really protect your house and possessions from mischief. If a pro wants your stuff bad enough, he's going to get it. All you can really do is make your stuff less inviting than your neighbors' stuff.

 

[JamesW]

Q. What is the NEC requirement for a maintenance disconnect at a pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub?

A. A maintenance disconnecting means is required for the permanently installed pool, storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor hot tub, or fountain equipment, other than lighting for these water bodies [680.12]. The maintenance disconnecting means must be readily accessible and located within sight and at least 5 ft from the permanently installed pool, storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor hot tub, or fountain equipment, unless separated from the open water by a permanently installed barrier that provides a 5-ft reach path or greater. This horizontal distance is measured from the water’s edge along the shortest path required to reach the disconnecting means, as shown in the Figure. According to Art. 100, “within sight” means it’s visible and not more than 50 ft from one to the other.

Stumped By the Code? Requirements for Installing Maintenance Disconnect at a Pool, Acceptable Wiring Methods for Class I Locations, and More

Your most pressing National Electrical Code (NEC) questions answered

www.ecmweb.com

680.12 Disconnecting Means.

A means to disconnect all ungrounded conductors shall be provided for all utilization equipment other than lighting. The disconnecting means shall be accessible and within sight (within 50 ft) from its equipment. Figure 680-3 un680-03 680-12.cdr

Author’s Comment: Switches shall be located at least 5 ft horizontally from the inside walls of a pool, spa or hot tub, unless separated by a solid fence, wall, or other permanent barrier [680.22(C)].

II. Permanently Installed Pools, Outdoor Spas and Outdoor Hot Tubs

A permanently installed swimming pool is constructed in the ground or partially in the ground, and is capable of holding water in a depth greater than 42 in. [680.2].

 

[Dirk]

There you go, thanks James.

1. I wonder how many pools adhere to these spec's. Mine "disconnect" being visible from the pool might be a stretch, and certainly not everywhere in the pool.

2. Is the pool pad's sub-panel/circuit breakers considered a "disconnect?"

3. Also, does throwing all the pool related circuit breakers "disconnect all ungrounded conductors?"
3b. Are all the neutral wires involved with a pool electical system "ungrounded" or grounded? I know neutral wires connect to ground somewhere, but maybe not in the pool's sub-panel.

4. It's interesting that pool lights seem to be exempt from this spec. Aren't they arguably the most dangerous electrical thing in a pool?

Anywho, you made my point. Keep easily accessible the means of shutting down your pool systems.

 

[BDY]

Depends what you are locking it for. I lock mine because the kids like to push buttons on anything that looks like a computer. The circuit breakers and disconnects are accessible but the Intellicenter is locked

 

[KevMo]

1. I wonder how many pools adhere to these spec's. Mine "disconnect" being visible from the pool might be a stretch, and certainly not everywhere in the pool.

The requirement is for the disconnect to be within sight of the equipment, not the pool. Part of the logic behind this requirement is so a person could see if there would be a safety issue (re)energizing a circuit (e.g., a person performing maintenance on the equipment).

 

[Dirk]

The requirement is for the disconnect to be within sight of the equipment, not the pool.

Ah! Thank you, I read that wrong. But are the circuit breakers considered a disconnect? Circuit breakers only disconnect the hot side of the circuit. Does that satisfy "A means to disconnect all ungrounded conductors?"

 

[JamesW]

A circuit breaker is a disconnect.

If you want to lock the box, you can put a separate switch outside the box for the pumps.

 

[JamesW]

Circuit breakers only disconnect the hot side of the circuit. Does that satisfy "A means to disconnect all ungrounded conductors?"

Yes.

The "Hot" wires are the ungrounded conductors.

Neutrals are "Grounded Conductors".

 

[Dirk]

Then... cool. I'm in compliance with the disconnect requirement. And my disconnects are outside of my EasyTouch in a sub-panel, so I'm good there, too. I've always hated that sub-panel, and the fact that my EasyTouch did not have breakers built-in, but I guess it has one redeeming quality.