Hi

I want to limit/stop access to my outdoor outlet - I live in a condo and the contractors use anybody's outlet they please - my electric bill is high enough and once in a while is one thing but these guys come to my power for their power tools every time they're here. I looked at the circuit breaker board and there's just one switch for lights - the rest are for each appliance. I don't want to have to turn off all the "lights" every day by shutting off the circuit breaker so would like to know if there's an easy way to limit access - at least so I would give a contractor access at my discretion.

Can I:

get a hasp that will cover the two outlets (there's flip covers on each) so I can lock the access with a padlock

Or, can I easily myself shut off the power to the two outlets by undoing wiring

Or, do I need to call an electrician or build a cover myself?

I called a couple of local electrical supply houses and asked about locking covers and one guy said that he has's seen them offered by his supplier for several years.

Thanks for your help!

 

A locking cover is one solution, if you can find one.

Another one is to undo the wires inside the outlet. I don;t recommend this, as it makes the outlet hard to use if you want it.

Perhaps the best solution is to install a switch insode the condo to control the outlet. This may be tough, depending on how the outlets are wired.

 

You could replace the receptacle with a twist lock 120v 15 amp receptacle. Then buy the proper 120v 15a plug, a short length of SO cord and the proper straight blade 120v female cord end receptacle. Now with this youd make yourself the proper adapter.

I dont know the code implications to this but it most likely should be GFCI protected. Also do you own this condo? If not then you should check on the implications of you doing the wiring as you may have to have a licensed electrician do any of this.. especially if you go the route of an internal switch.

 

Big dog with his house next ot the receptacle.

 

Most of the in use covers offer a place for a pad lock now. Here is a link for one from Carlon. They are available at Lowes and Home Depot.

Tony

http://www.carlon.com/sd-cgi/hsrun.h...ogObjectId=126

 

Even if you own the condo, it is a multi-family dwelling and all work on the electrical is to be performed by a licensed contractor!

This is not to say that you can't replace the cover with a Carlon in-use type, just don't alter or add to the wiring.

 

If the receptacle is in a common use area, it might not be on your meter. Are you sure?
Does your breaker panel (meter) in your condo serve this recept?

 

Connect your outlet to 240V, and just watch the fun as their tools explode
(just kidding!)

 

Hi,

If my lights dim when the contractor turns on the power tool,
does that mean it is on my meter?

How can I know it really is my $?

Thanks

 

Plug a radio or lamp into this outdoor receptacle and switch off your single-pole breakers one by one, starting with your GFCI breakers, to see if it's on your panel.

 

I know this was a long time - here's what I found and have done.
Yes, the outside outlet is on my dime, thanks for the test - I found a locking weatherproof cover so I didn't have to call the electrician for this one - all the electrical outlets are on one circuit breaker switch -