Home Security: Breaker Box

[james_bond_007]

After moving here several years ago from the Midwest, I've always wondered why the Breaker Boxes of many houses are located outdoors.

All of the ones I encountered in the Midwest were indoors: either in a house, a garage, or a shed.

I've heard various rumors, such as
a) Required by code in many cities
b) So if there is a fire, the fire department can shut off the power

But it has always puzzled me as to the real reason.

It seems odd that, if during a rain/electrical storm, a breaker trips, I have to go OUTSIDE and stick my hands in the breaker box to reset the breakers. ...seems UNSAFE.
(I have no fear of resetting the breaker, but DO have a fear of lighting zapping the box in a rainstorm WHILE I'm doing it, am pretty wet from rain, and am a good 'conductor')

Also, if "I" were a burglar, one of the first things I'd do is snip off the sheet metal hasp on the breaker box, by the lock, or pry of the cheap built-i n cylinder lock, and turn off the power.
Perhaps there are more secure boxes than the one I have seen ?

OR


NOTE: Neighborhood is 25-30 years old

[nogaroheli]

Wow, having it outside does seem crazy. Mine have always been inside the garage so I doubt it's a code requirement. I'd be interested to hear the reason for them being outside.

[Wulf202]

Why would you turn off the power if you were a burglar?

[Alpha2]

Mine is in the garage, 21 year old house, or thereabouts.

Burglars turn off the power to disable landline phones, (doesn't work, only turns off the ringer, but hey, they're not the brightest bulb in the box), burglar alarms, and generally discumbobulate the residents.

Or so I'm told.

[clublights]

Mine is in the garage, 21 year old house, or thereabouts.

Burglars turn off the power to disable landline phones, (doesn't work, only turns off the ringer, but hey, they're not the brightest bulb in the box), burglar alarms, and generally discumbobulate the residents.

Or so I'm told.

uhhh landline phones are powered off the phone line itself. This does not include cordless or other phones that have an AC plug in normally a wall wart of some sort. When the phone is not in use, this is a constant DC signal (about 50-60 volts). When the phone rings, the signal is a 20 hertz AC signal (about 90 volts). When in use it is a modulated DC signal (between 6 and 12 volts). The phones lines even have power during a blackout in most cases.

[clodhopper]

uhhh landline phones are powered off the phone line itself. This does not include cordless or other phones that have an AC plug in normally a wall wart of some sort. When the phone is not in use, this is a constant DC signal (about 50-60 volts). When the phone rings, the signal is a 20 hertz AC signal (about 90 volts). When in use it is a modulated DC signal (between 6 and 12 volts). The phones lines even have power during a blackout in most cases.

Yep, but most people don't use an unpowered phone anymore. Usually some sort of remote or built in answering machine requiring wall power. BUT, on the other side of things, more and more people are dropping the land line completely and just using a cell. Problem eliminated. Even home security systems are starting to use cellular.


The breaker on the outside is required by building code. Allows the fire responders to kill power prior to dumping water on a fire and trooping around in puddles....and it also allows the power company to kill power if the payment is behind. Usually it is just a main cutoff outside and the rest of the breakers are in the garage.

[clublights]

Yep, but most people don't use an unpowered phone anymore. Usually some sort of remote or built in answering machine requiring wall power. BUT, on the other side of things, more and more people are dropping the land line completely and just using a cell. Problem eliminated. Even home security systems are starting to use cellular.

True however the phone would likely not work more then just not ringing if it required ac power of any sort.

[68Charger]

Umm- what about your power meter? most of them are secured with a "seal", that once removed the meter can be pulled off (which cuts off the main power feed to the house)..

I think the OP is concerned about home invaders (not burglary)

[BushMasterBoy]

Make sure a ground rod is close to the box and a large wire connected to the ground! We are a little above sea level here! We have dry lightning and even winter lightning.

[TheGrey]

Mine is outside, too, along with the meter. It caught on fire in September 2012. I'd LOVE to know the logic behind having it outside.