Security for outdoor electrical outlet

[Marina]

Trying to locate online a cover to secure the outlet. My sister found the painters at her condo using her outlet to operate their sanders for the entire complex. They had to jump on her balcony to get at the outlet. I told her to turn off the breaker to the outlet. That's fine except she has to do it each day because the breaker also controls lights in her LR.

I've seen little cages that fit over thermostats that are in public buildings. I was hoping to find something like that. Most of the results I get on Google are for simple covers to protect children.

Does anyone know of such a cover that is lockable? Marina

[Mikepier]

This might be a bit of a stretch, but try to find where that outlet is being fed from, possibly from another outlet directly on the opposite side of the wall, and disconnect it from there so the outlet is dead. That way you can keep the breaker on.

[Mikepier]

I forgot to add that if that outside outlet feeds other outlets in the condo, then obviously you cannot do what I said. Instead it might be easier to just disconnect the wires from the outside outlet, but wire nut them together in the box so it can continue to feed the other outlets.

[JRanieri]

I would think the cost to buy and install such a cover would exceed the cost of the electricity the painter's are using. Perhaps a polite request to the painters to use another outlet?

[Matt]

For added fun, add a switch. Wait till they start using the outlet, and then turn it off. When they come to see if anything came unplugged, turn it back on. When they get back to their sander, turn it off.

Repeat.

[Matt]

Oh yeah, when all this is going on, also call the cops. File trespass and theft charges.

[G Henslee]

Cut their cord end off, throw it and the cord off of the balconey.

[Chip C]

Hardware stores throughout the US and Canada now stock "while-in-use" outdoor outlet covers; these have a big cover that can be closed while a plug is in the socket. These are required by code for new installations, so the stores stock them. Some of these have padlock hasps. They may just be plastic but they'd stop this kind of theft-by-convenience, and they'd also discourage someone walking away with your Xmas lights extension cord.

Here's a manufacturer's PDF for one such device:

here's another: I've got nothing to do with either of these, I just googled for "lockable while-in-use".

Installation is a do-it-yourself job for someone who's used to electrical jobs, otherwise you'll need an electrician. Whether your condo board wants you mucking with the electrics is another question. But be aware that flicking the breaker on and off frequently may cause it to fail prematurely, as most breakers aren't designed for frequent switching.

As another poster has mentioned, it's likely to cost you more than the power savings, but it gives creeps one less excuse to be on your balcony.

Chip C Toronto

[Beachcomber]

Or... You could make a deal with them to sell them the electricity they need at a flat rate per day.

Beachcomber

[HeatMan]

Depending on the age of the condo, that receptacle should be on a GFCI. If the outlet itself isn't the GFCI, have her find it and push the test buttom. Don't reset it.

[SQLit]

google is your friend

Personally I would have more fun getting the money from the HOA.

[HorneTD]

Most in-use covers are lockable. Code Keeper® weatherproof covers by red dot have a padlock hasp built in for a small padlock.

[Al Bundy]

We're getting this story second hand so we will acept it as presented. What did your sister do when she saw all this happen? Did she object, call the police, or allow the use? The painters were at fault for trespassing and for not acking permission to use the power. They had to use power somewhere and apparently this was the most convenient place. Your sister benefited in some respect by having the work done efficiently to her complex. For other projects the power usage will probably be somewhere else and your sister will gain the benefit of the workers plugging in at the easiest place then. The value of the power usage was likely minimal. I think a better solution is to make sure the management has a standing rule to notify owners ahead of time and seek permission where power is needed.

[Jim Yanik]

"SQLit" wrote in news:LPlqe.337$ [e-mail]:

Yeah,that would be SUCH a great amount of money,well worth the effort.

[Doug Miller]

Unplug it first...

[HeyBub]

"...wire nut them together in the box..." ???

That ought to shut things down.

[Jeff Wisnia]

He did say to do that way only IF the outside outlet feeds other outlets.

He meant, remove all the wires from the outside outlet and connect them black to black, white to white and ground to ground with three wirenuts, to continue the feed to the other outlets.

You really ought to read, think about, and try to understand the post before jumping in and trying to be cute, HeyBub.

Jeff

[Anthony]

"Matt" wrote in news:1118421779.118717.215420 @g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

This would be the most fun of all the answers...

[G Henslee]

Or leave it and cut it on the 4th of July.

[Stormin Mormon]

Have your electrician wire the outlet for 220 VAC. And then their tools will burn out. Or disappear in a puff of smoke.