How do I kill the power from my main breaker?

If there is no main breaker located in the circuit breaker panel, it will be in a panel very near where the electric company's meter is. If the panel is locked and you have no means to get it open, have someone remove the lock and replace it with a lock you can access when needed.

I thought mine outside was locked up but found out that particular box opens from the bottom and swings up. It's hard to get open. See if you can find a little tab sticking out at the bottom of the box, press downward just a bit and try to get it open. My clue was there were no side hinges on the box cover so I had to open another way.

The main breaker outside is dual purpose: it lets you shut off everything in your house and lets the fire department do the same. IT CANNOT BE LOCKED EVER BY ANYONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND YOUR HOME OWNERS INSURANCE CARRIER, be careful.

Ok thanks everyone, I'm betting it's not really locked but just not obvious how to open like was mentioned by one of you. I'll take a closer look today and see if I can't figure it out. Thank you all!

Good luck! Let us know how it works out!

Actually there is one and only one reason a main breaker is located remotely from the circuit breaker panel: when the power company's service is on a side of the house that is not physically close to where the circuit breaker panel is to be installed, there will be a run of power cables from the service entrance to where the breaker panel is (typically through the attic space) that would be unprotected otherwise.

My main panel is in the basement and on the same side as the meter....?

Check the outside of your house. That's usually where the Main is. Check near your gas or electric meter on the outside of the house.

Catherine

Pull the entire meter. This means you need to contact the electric company and tell them you have done it because it most likely requires the removal of a metal tag and they will have to install another one.

Unless you are a licensed electrician, under no circumstances should anyone "pull" the electric company's meter.

For the record it's not really necessary to even turn off the main breaker to replace or add an additional circuit breaker if you know what you are doing... I have installed many circuit breakers in my time and do not remember ever needing to turn of the main to do so, nor have any of my electrician friends. In my opinion, if you are not comfortable within the circuit breaker panel you have no business being in there and should seek experienced help

I'd open your breaker box. Take off the panel. Our main switch was under the panel in the box.

The thread of your conversation leads me to believe you're not familiar with handling electricity. Do yourself and family a favor, call a licensed electrician, get an estimate, and decide if the possibility of death by electrocution is worth saving that much money. Accidental electrocution is very real, and very permanent.

Thanks for your concern and word of caution. Tho, to be fair, I feel like being familiar with handling electricity and being familiar with panels are not necessarily one and the same. Tho I'm not a licensed electrician and do not have experience working with panels, that does not mean I have zero background in electrical systems.

Just be careful, If you are not sure of what to do, ask a friendly neighbour or electrician to help you this time. Watch and Learn!