Patent ID: 8111119

Claim:
In a structure having a high voltage device and a frame defining an opening, the opening having an open position and a closed position, a method of controlling the on/off condition of the high voltage device comprising the steps of: coupling a reed switch apparatus having a reed switch to the structure; providing a control module sense circuit having sense terminals receiving a low voltage control signal from the reed switch apparatus for controlling the high voltage device, the reed switch having a first state and a second state; mounting a permanent magnet member having a magnetic field to the structure in proximity to the reed switch, the permanent magnet member and the reed switch in fixed relation to each other and defining a latch opening therebetween; providing a sliding latch member constructed of a ferromagnetic material capable of being removably inserted in the latch opening, the sliding latch member having an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position of the sliding latch member the magnetic field is exposed to the reed switch to cause the reed switch to be in the first state, and when the sliding latch member is in the closed position, the magnetic field is not exposed to the reed switch to cause the reed switch to be in the second state; and controlling the on/off condition of the high voltage device by the control module sense circuit sense terminals receiving a low voltage control signal when the reed switch is in one state and by the low voltage control signal not being received by the control module sense circuit sense terminals when the reed switch is in its other state.