Mark J Posted April 3, 2017 Report Share Posted April 3, 2017 10 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: I don't own a Sawstop, but I never leave the shop with a machine plugged in. Seems like a good policy to me. I like to be certain the business end of a machine is definitely dead before doing any set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted April 3, 2017 Report Share Posted April 3, 2017 I'm more lax than I used to be in this regard, but when the kids were younger I'd be sure to shut off the breaker to the subpanel in my shop. Everything in the shop except lights were fed from that subpanel so it was a good way to shut everything down. just in case 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted April 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2017 5 hours ago, RichardA said: #4 Thanks guys!! That's what I will do. Regarding unplugging machines...my shop is a unattached structure with two sets of keys one in my pocket and the other in a safe just In case I am out of town and my wife would need to get in there so I do not shut the power off or unplug any machines. As always great advice and if my tools were in a shared space my practices would be very different. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cstandi1 Posted April 4, 2017 Report Share Posted April 4, 2017 I don't have any kids so I didn't have that consideration. The breaker options does sound more convenient to me though. But if you don't have a sub panel unplugging is certainly easier than pulling out all those safety keys and risk loosing one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_r_ Posted April 4, 2017 Report Share Posted April 4, 2017 I have a main breaker switch that kills power to all the tools in my shop, including the dust collector. I turn it off whenever Im not in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wtnhighlander Posted April 4, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 4, 2017 Not to spread panic, but using a circuit breaker as a disconnect switch is not recommended. The high frequency of operations reduces its usable life as a circuit protection device. If you have an actual disconnect switch at the breaker panel, please carry on, there is nothing to see here. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 17 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: Not to spread panic, but using a circuit breaker as a disconnect switch is not recommended. The high frequency of operations reduces its usable life as a circuit protection device. If you have an actual disconnect switch at the breaker panel, please carry on, there is nothing to see here. I had to replace my 100 amp main breaker in the garage off the main after about 13years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 18 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: Not to spread panic, but using a circuit breaker as a disconnect switch is not recommended. The high frequency of operations reduces its usable life as a circuit protection device. If you have an actual disconnect switch at the breaker panel, please carry on, there is nothing to see here. There are switching rated circuit breakers, but they're not generally available for residential style panels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted April 6, 2017 Report Share Posted April 6, 2017 I had to replace my 100 amp main breaker in the garage off the main after about 13years. Exactly. All the breakers in my house are fine after 25 years, and I know of several original panels at my place of business that are going strong at nearly 40 years. On the other hand, actually tripping the breaker from circuit overload can damage it in only a cycle or three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.