Circuit breaker lockout system with tie-receiving channels

A lockout system for preventing actuation of a push-pull circuit breaker knob, the lockout system comprising:

• a lockout device comprising:
• an attachment member having a generally C-shaped collar defining a cylindrical recess therein, wherein the C-shaped collar resiliently expands to be positioned over and receive a cylindrical portion of the circuit breaker knob when extended and contracts when in position;
• and
• a retainer member depending from and integrated with the attachment member, having a first channel member and a second channel member;
• forming a cable channel in the retainer member and configured to secure and hold in place a wire cable having a first end and a second end;
• and
• a locking mechanism having a first passageway configured to accept and receive the first end of the wire cable and a second passageway configured to accept and receive the second end of the wire cable.

A method of installing and removing a lockout system for preventing actuation of a push-pull circuit breaker knob, the method comprising:

• disengaging the circuit breaker knob from a circuit breaker on a circuit breaker panel;
• applying a lockout device having an attachment member and a retainer member about an actuating cylindrical portion of the disengaged circuit breaker knob, the attachment member having a generally C-shaped collar defining a cylindrical recess therein, the C-shaped collar being configured to be resiliently expanded to be positioned over and receive the actuating cylindrical portion and to contract when in position, and the retainer member having a cable channel formed therein and configured to secure and hold in place a wire cable having a first end and a second end;
• threading the wire cable through the cable channel so that the first end of the wire cable extends beyond the first channel member and the second end of the wire cable extend beyond the second channel member;
• pulling the first end of the wire cable through a first passageway in a locking chamber;
• pulling the second end of the wire cable through a second passageway in the locking chamber until the locking chamber is firmly held against the lockout device;
• and
• removing the locking device from the push-pull circuit breaker knob by cutting the wire cable with a wire cutting tool.