AN EXAMPLE OF

MECHANICAL INTERLOCKNG

Richard Williams
7th February 2006
 Symbols
 BASIC SYMBOLS

Key free when device is in open position

Key free when device is in closed position

Key free when device is in open or closed position (only trapped during

operation of device)

Key Exchange box

 ADDITIONAL SYMBOLS

Lockout Key released in open position

Lockout key released in closed position

 Example
 The following example shows the interlocking sequence

required for maintenance to be carried out on an RCP

disconnector with 2 integral earth switches.

 Example
 The Interlocking Scheme, the Disconnector is Closed and the

Earth Switches are Open.

DISCONNECTOR MAINTENANCE
KEY EXCHANGE BOXES

1103

1101 11
K 1101
03
11 X1101
K 03

K 1101 X11031
11
K 03 1103
K X1103
11 11 11
K 03 03 K 031
K X1103
11031
11
K 031
 Example
 The colours indicate the different keys.

DISCONNECTOR MAINTENANCE
KEY EXCHANGE BOXES

1103

1101 11
K 1101
03
11 X1101
K 03

K 1101 X11031
11
K 03 1103
K X1103
11 11 11
K 03 03 K 031
K X1103
11031
11
K 031
 Example
 The Disconnector is Opened, releasing the keys from the

disconnector interlock.
DISCONNECTOR MAINTENANCE
KEY EXCHANGE BOXES

1103

1101 11
K 1101
03
11 X1101
K 03

K 1101 X11031
11
K 03 1103
K X1103
11 11 11
K 03 03 K 031
K X1103
11031
11
K 031
 Example
 The keys are transferred to the earth switch interlock,

allowing the earth switches to close.

DISCONNECTOR MAINTENANCE
KEY EXCHANGE BOXES

1103

1101 11
K 1101
03
11 X1101
K 03

K 1101 X11031
11
K 03 1103
K X1103
11 11 11
K 03 03 K 031
K X1103
11031
11
K 031
 Example
 The Earth Switches are closed, releasing the keys from the

Earth Switch Interlocks.

DISCONNECTOR MAINTENANCE
KEY EXCHANGE BOXES

1103

1101 K 11
K 1101
03
11 X1101
03

K 1101 X11031
11
03 1103
K X1103
11 11 11
03
K 03 K 031
K X1103
11031
11
K 031

K
1103
 Example
 The keys from the Earth Switch Interlocks are transferred to

the Disconnector Maintenance Exchange Box.

DISCONNECTOR MAINTENANCE
KEY EXCHANGE BOXES

1103

1101 K 11
1101
03
11 K X1101
03

1101 K X11031
11
03 1103
K X1103
11 11 11
K 03 031
03 K X1103
11031
11
031

K K K
1103 1101 11031

0
 Example
 The Disconnector maintenance keys are released and

transferred to the disconnector.

DISCONNECTOR MAINTENANCE
KEY EXCHANGE BOXES

1103

1101 K 11
1101
03
11 K X1101
K 03

1101 K X11031
11
K 03 1103
X1103
11 11 11
K K 03 031
03 X1103
11031
11
031

K K
1101 11031

1
 Example
 The disconnector can then be operated safely during

maintenance period.
DISCONNECTOR MAINTENANCE
KEY EXCHANGE BOXES

1103

1101 K 11
1101
03
11 K X1101
K 03

1101 K X11031
11
K 03 1103
X1103
11 11 11
K K 03 031
03 X1103
11031
11
031

K K
1101 11031

 The sequence is reversed to put the circuit back into service.