Where can I get a Key Switch air conditioning (a/c) device to turn on and off by using a key?

A key is inserted into a box and you turn the key to on or off this allows current to flow to the air conditioning. Great for hotels when clients leave the a/c on all day.

Where can I get a Key Switch air conditioning (a/c) device to turn on and off by using a key?
They paid for the room so they can run the AC all day if they want.





But the keyed switch will be abailable at electrical supply houses. I know that Allen-Bradely makes them.
Reply:Turn the A/C off in a room I have paid for, and You'll need a key to the hospital, and your attorney's office.
Reply:This is a key operated outlet, essentially, contained in a metal housing. Both require the same key - to turn the power on / off, or to open the housing.


inside the housing your plug from your device is plugged into the outlet. Power must flow through the key switch, in the off position the switch is 'OFF' and like any other switch it disrupts power.


I'd check with an electrical supply store, you will need to know your source voltage and possibly your load current or your line current rating; such as, 120 Volts on a 20 Amp Breaker.





The switch itself though, may actually operate on a lower current which operates a relay - this connects / disconnects the higher voltage device.


At least, this is the way I'd design it if I were designing my own. That way if the switch malfunctions down the road i am not in a direct line to the higher voltage.





Many hotels have come to realize it is cheaper to operate a central Air Conditioning Unit than it is to purchase and pay for individual window units in each room. Furthermore, they are taking the chance of tenants stealing the working $400 unit and placing the non-working $120.00 unit there, knowing management will not know until they are gone and cannot prove it was them after the fact.


Not to mention, no hotel can advertise its rooms include Air Conditioning if they are going to turn the units on and off as it suits them. If this is the case, dont advertise room includes air, charge an extra fee for AC.





Don't forget also, if you shut the AC off in room 'A' then the rooms next to it will work that much harder, so your savings will be very minimal.


I believe if you want to $AVE then install central air and put money into Insulation and perhaps upgrade your windows.


Keep the AC unit operating in an Energy Saving Mode, and set the temp at 70, and you will save more in the long run and have fewer complaints.





Think, if you shut the AC unit off each time the tenant leaves, it will take more electric to recool the place upon their return. Your rooms will allow heat to enter based on the quality of insulation, the two are inversely related.


Allowing heat to enter increases as the amount of insulation decreases.


Can you lower the ceilings in the units with a drop ceiling perhaps - this would really save a lot even if you can only come down six inches in each room.





Consider an 8' X 8' room ceiling dropped 6 inches is:


8 X 8 X .5 = 32 sq feet in one room.
Reply:If this is for a hotel room you can install a switch which isolates the A/C when a guest leaves the room. Or you can install a central control board at reception which allows you to manually turn the A/C off when you see a customer leave the room. It would be recommended that you inform your guests that that is the hotel policy as some prefer to leave the A/C running during their absence so they can return to a cool room.


These switches are not necessarily A/C related and can be found at specialist electrical suppliers.


There are a few ways of doing this so you will be well advised to ask for and obtain quotes from an electrician. You will save money in the long run by getting this done properly.

anther