Remotely operable lockout system

An electrical panel system comprising:

• an electrical panel configured to communicate power to a load;
• a lever located outside the electrical panel and moveable between a first position associated with electrically isolating the load from a power source and a second position associated with electrically connecting the load to the power source;
• a lockout system having a first portion connected to the electrical panel and a second portion that removably cooperates with the first portion,
• the first portion of the lockout system comprising:
• a lock arm associated with the lever and moveable between a first position wherein the lock arm interferes with motion of the lever and a second position wherein the lever is movable relative to the lock arm;
• a guide arrangement;
• and
• an electrical lock interface;
• the second portion of the lockout system comprising:
• an electrical key interface;
• and
• an alignment arrangement constructed to slidably cooperate with the guide arrangement such that cooperation of the alignment arrangement with the guide arrangement aligns the electrical key interface with the electrical lock interface to allow slidable physical interaction between the electrical lock interface and the electrical key interface.

A method of forming a remotely operable electrical lockout, the method comprising:

• mounting a lock portion of a lockout system to an electrical panel such that a movable lockout arm is positioned proximate a lever whose position relative to the panel is associated with a conducting state of a circuit associated with the electrical panel;
• providing the lock portion of the lockout system with a first portion of an indexing arrangement and a first portion of an electronic interface;
• and
• associating a removable key portion of the lockout system that includes a second portion of the indexing arrangement and a second portion of the electronic interface with the lock portion such that the first and second portions of the indexing arrangement cooperate with one another prior to interaction between the first and second portions of the electronic interface to align, the first and second electronic interfaces with one another such that the first and second portions of the electronic interface slidably cooperate with one another prior to dissociation of first and second portions of the indexing arrangement.