so you need a special key to toggle it?Locking toggle switch (sometimes referred to as Tamper Resistant).
Correct.so you need a special key to toggle it?
Back in the day they were often used in places like schools where you don't want the students turning the lights on or off. The custodians would have the keys. Here's a few I have laying around, looks like the first key (Hubbell) is the one for these switches:Not even sure what's in the center of these junction boxes (it doesn't look like a switch). What are these called and what exactly do they do? Never seen them in my life.
LOL no wonder they lock itI can tell you why too!
If you can cycle power to a coin operated machine, you reset the timer. So if you want to get your laundry in but there are no open washers, you cycle power to one that is running, it cancels the remaining time, you pull your neighbors wet wash out and put it in a basket, then put yours in and hope they don't come back until after yours is finished.
My first thought exactly - every school I ever attended had these switches....Back in the day they were often used in places like schools where you don't want the students turning the lights on or off. The custodians would have the keys. Here's a few I have laying around, looks like the first key (Hubbell) is the one for these switches:
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I can tell you why too!
If you can cycle power to a coin operated machine, you reset the timer. So if you want to get your laundry in but there are no open washers, you cycle power to one that is running, it cancels the remaining time, you pull your neighbors wet wash out and put it in a basket, then put yours in and hope they don't come back until after yours is finished.
Washers, not dryers. Front loading washers lock the door once the cycle starts so that you can’t open it if there is water inside. By cycling power, you can get the door to unlock. The “Richard” in my apartment complex who showed me this trick would only do it on washers that were already in a drain cycle.Why wouldn’t you just take their clothes out and dry on their dime?
Washers, not dryers. Front loading washers …..