Sunday, 23 February 2014

What is a breakaway car seal?


Most types of (valve) car seals are self locking. They operate in just the same way as a cable tie wrap. After threading the cable of the car seal around the valve wheel or lever and the valve body, then the cable end is passed into the head of the seal it locks straight away. You cannot pull the cable back out again. The only way to remove it is to cut the cable.

However, there is a different type of seal available called the breakaway car seal. These seals have a locking key. With the cable end passed in to the seal head, it can still be slid out again. To lock the cable in place it is necessary to tighten the locking key until the handle breaks off. Once the key handle snaps off, the cable cannot be removed. As with the self-locking seal, it’s necessary to cut the cable to remove the seal.

Some people mistakenly believe this type of breakaway car seal is re-useable. This is not the case. But this type of seal can be temporarily deployed by lightly turning the key handle until it grips the cable.
Remember, the purpose of the car seal is to seal the valve in the open or closed position. If the seal is removable, then it’s not fulfilling its function.

At Total Lockout we only stock self locking car seals. But if you require breakaway car seals, please get in touch because we can get them specially made. 

Delivery time is 2 – 4 weeks depending on quantity required.

Contact us at sales@totallockout.com

North America & Canada
Tel: (727) 608 4325

UK & Rest of World
Tel: +44 (0)1376 325506

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