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Trying to find the right limited access key switch (!google deficient!)

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Trying to find the right limited access key switch (!google deficient!) Marc_G 11-22-2006
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Posted by Marc_G on November 22, 2006, 10:19 pm


Hi all,

I've spent the last hour googling without success. Please someone, clue
me in.

I want to buy a single gang wall switch (will control an overhead light)
that can't be turned on or off by the prying hands of my 2 year old.
I've seen such switches in commercial use; they look just like a normal
wall switch except in place of the toggle, there's a little slit there,
and you need to have the matching "key" that slips in there and lets you
turn it on or off. The toggle is basically recessed behind the slit. The
key isn't unique; it's just a sliver of metal or plastic that mates with
the toggle inside.

I've found rotary switches with real keys (as in unique keys that look
like housekeys) for about $55 each; I'm looking for a simpler (cheaper)
approach like I've seen in public places where it is desirable to
prevent people from being able to easily turn on/off the lights.

The problem is that I can't find these anywhere online (I'm clearly
using the wrong search terms) or at HD or Lowes.

Please help me out! I've tried search terms like "single gang security
key switch" and "120V Key switch" and about 40 variants on the theme.

Any assistance will be appreciated!

Marc

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com


Posted by MB on November 22, 2006, 10:26 pm


Check this link:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?ItemId=1611605652

Grainger carrys them.

They also carry them in 3-way models.

Matt


Marc_G wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I've spent the last hour googling without success. Please someone, clue
> me in.
>
> I want to buy a single gang wall switch (will control an overhead light)
> that can't be turned on or off by the prying hands of my 2 year old.
> I've seen such switches in commercial use; they look just like a normal
> wall switch except in place of the toggle, there's a little slit there,
> and you need to have the matching "key" that slips in there and lets you
> turn it on or off. The toggle is basically recessed behind the slit. The
> key isn't unique; it's just a sliver of metal or plastic that mates with
> the toggle inside.
>
> I've found rotary switches with real keys (as in unique keys that look
> like housekeys) for about $55 each; I'm looking for a simpler (cheaper)
> approach like I've seen in public places where it is desirable to
> prevent people from being able to easily turn on/off the lights.
>
> The problem is that I can't find these anywhere online (I'm clearly
> using the wrong search terms) or at HD or Lowes.
>
> Please help me out! I've tried search terms like "single gang security
> key switch" and "120V Key switch" and about 40 variants on the theme.
>
> Any assistance will be appreciated!
>
> Marc
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com


Posted by Pete C. on November 22, 2006, 11:12 pm


Marc_G wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> I've spent the last hour googling without success. Please someone, clue
> me in.
>
> I want to buy a single gang wall switch (will control an overhead light)
> that can't be turned on or off by the prying hands of my 2 year old.
> I've seen such switches in commercial use; they look just like a normal
> wall switch except in place of the toggle, there's a little slit there,
> and you need to have the matching "key" that slips in there and lets you
> turn it on or off. The toggle is basically recessed behind the slit. The
> key isn't unique; it's just a sliver of metal or plastic that mates with
> the toggle inside.
>
> I've found rotary switches with real keys (as in unique keys that look
> like housekeys) for about $55 each; I'm looking for a simpler (cheaper)
> approach like I've seen in public places where it is desirable to
> prevent people from being able to easily turn on/off the lights.
>
> The problem is that I can't find these anywhere online (I'm clearly
> using the wrong search terms) or at HD or Lowes.
>
> Please help me out! I've tried search terms like "single gang security
> key switch" and "120V Key switch" and about 40 variants on the theme.
>
> Any assistance will be appreciated!
>
> Marc
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

I've seen them at every Depot and Lowe's I've been to. Not positive of
the correct terminology and they probably don't have them listed on
their web site anyway. Just go to Depot or Lowe's and ask someone in the
electrical dept for the commercial key operated wall switches and they
should be able to find them. They will be more expensive than the cheap
residential grade switches since they are all spec grade and 20A rated.
Still shouldn't be more than $20.

Ah, here is an example from the Leviton catalog:

http://www.levitonhelpdesk.com/catalog/

UPC# 07847712831

20 Amp, 120/277 Volt, Toggle Locking Single-Pole AC Quiet Switch,
Industrial Grade, Self Grounding, Side Wired, - Brown

This is the Leviton "1221-L" series. I believe Depot carries the Leviton
line so if they don't actually have these in stock they should be able
to order it. I'm sure any "real" electrical supply house would also have
them.

Pete C.

Posted by Percival P. Cassidy on November 26, 2006, 10:47 pm


On 11/22/06 11:12 pm Pete C. wrote:

>> I've spent the last hour googling without success. Please someone, clue
>> me in.
>>
>> I want to buy a single gang wall switch (will control an overhead light)
>> that can't be turned on or off by the prying hands of my 2 year old.
>> I've seen such switches in commercial use; they look just like a normal
>> wall switch except in place of the toggle, there's a little slit there,
>> and you need to have the matching "key" that slips in there and lets you
>> turn it on or off. The toggle is basically recessed behind the slit. The
>> key isn't unique; it's just a sliver of metal or plastic that mates with
>> the toggle inside.
>>
>> I've found rotary switches with real keys (as in unique keys that look
>> like housekeys) for about $55 each; I'm looking for a simpler (cheaper)
>> approach like I've seen in public places where it is desirable to
>> prevent people from being able to easily turn on/off the lights.
>>
>> The problem is that I can't find these anywhere online (I'm clearly
>> using the wrong search terms) or at HD or Lowes.
>>
>> Please help me out! I've tried search terms like "single gang security
>> key switch" and "120V Key switch" and about 40 variants on the theme.

> I've seen them at every Depot and Lowe's I've been to. Not positive of
> the correct terminology and they probably don't have them listed on
> their web site anyway. Just go to Depot or Lowe's and ask someone in the
> electrical dept for the commercial key operated wall switches and they
> should be able to find them. They will be more expensive than the cheap
> residential grade switches since they are all spec grade and 20A rated.
> Still shouldn't be more than $20.
>
> Ah, here is an example from the Leviton catalog:
>
> http://www.levitonhelpdesk.com/catalog/
>
> UPC# 07847712831
>
> 20 Amp, 120/277 Volt, Toggle Locking Single-Pole AC Quiet Switch,
> Industrial Grade, Self Grounding, Side Wired, - Brown
>
> This is the Leviton "1221-L" series. I believe Depot carries the Leviton
> line so if they don't actually have these in stock they should be able
> to order it. I'm sure any "real" electrical supply house would also have
> them.

I've asked for them at more than one HD and Lowe's and have always had
to go to a "'real' electrical supply house."

Perce

Posted by Nate Nagel on November 23, 2006, 7:45 am


Marc_G wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I've spent the last hour googling without success. Please someone, clue
> me in.
>
> I want to buy a single gang wall switch (will control an overhead light)
> that can't be turned on or off by the prying hands of my 2 year old.
> I've seen such switches in commercial use; they look just like a normal
> wall switch except in place of the toggle, there's a little slit there,
> and you need to have the matching "key" that slips in there and lets you
> turn it on or off. The toggle is basically recessed behind the slit. The
> key isn't unique; it's just a sliver of metal or plastic that mates with
> the toggle inside.
>
> I've found rotary switches with real keys (as in unique keys that look
> like housekeys) for about $55 each; I'm looking for a simpler (cheaper)
> approach like I've seen in public places where it is desirable to
> prevent people from being able to easily turn on/off the lights.
>
> The problem is that I can't find these anywhere online (I'm clearly
> using the wrong search terms) or at HD or Lowes.
>
> Please help me out! I've tried search terms like "single gang security
> key switch" and "120V Key switch" and about 40 variants on the theme.
>
> Any assistance will be appreciated!
>
> Marc
>

http://www.hubbellcatalog.com/wiring/section-c-datasheet.asp?PN=HBL1222L&FAM=Switches&P=13973,12003

does that help? I remembered seeing those in my high school years ago,
I didn't know if they were still made or not until I actually looked for
them though.

Another possibility might be a guard over a standard toggle switch, like
a conduit strap or similar. The PO of my house had one on an unused
switch by the front door, it was plastic and apparently made for the
purpose.

nate

--
replace "fly" with "com" to reply.
http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

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