Apparatus and method of controlling access to a service area of an equipment cabinet

A method of controlling access to a service area of a cabinet in which equipment is disposed, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring a residual electrical characteristic when high voltage applied to the equipment is removed;
• and
• releasing an interlock mechanism to allow access to the service area of the cabinet when the residual electrical characteristic decreases below a predetermined reference level.

A method of servicing electrical equipment connectable to a high voltage source and disposed in a cabinet having an access opening and a panel which covers the access opening, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring a residual voltage associated with the electrical equipment when high voltage is removed from the electrical equipment;
• and
• moving an interlock mechanism from a locked position in which the panel covers the opening to prevent access to the electrical equipment to an unlocked position in which the panel can be opened or removed to allow service personnel to access the electrical equipment when the residual voltage decreases below a predetermined voltage value.