Old Electrical Switchgear

[Hyperion]

I found this in my Brother in law's cellar, so I cleaned it and gave it a coat of paint, the contacts have tarnished a bit since then, as that was about 8 years ago.

I just thought it was nice, any love for this kind of thing?

 

[nj pheonix]

As an old electrician I appreciate that kind of stuff. Usually when that stuff comes out of service, the copper is stripped out and sold for scrap.

 

[PastTechFan]

Beautiful case! Must be some way to repurpose it. DIY power amp? Looks like it could dissipate some heat.

 

[Hyperion]

The case is cast iron, I'd hate to have to drill any holes in it, cast iron is tough stuff

When you operate the 'power on' lever it makes a very nice mechanical clunk sound.

 

[knockbill]

Here's a sub panel I replaced in a big house over thirty years ago, they finally switched to breakers... Fused neutrals,,, I put 30A fuses in the neutral sockets in hopes of having the hot fuses blow 1st!!!

 

[harman/kardon]

Looks very nice! Thanks for sharing wih us!

 

[knockbill]

I found this in my Brother in law's cellar, so I cleaned it and gave it a coat of paint, the contacts have tarnished a bit since then, as that was about 8 years ago.I just thought it was nice, any love for this kind of thing?

Thats pretty cool,, is one side hot and the other neutral in the UK?,,, Looks like they just replace the fusible wire in the fuse blocks,, I guess using a piece of copper would be akin to putting a penny in the fuse box over here!!

 

[Hyperion]

Thats pretty cool,, is one side hot and the other neutral in the UK?,,, Looks like they just replace the fusible wire in the fuse blocks,, I guess using a piece of copper would be akin to putting a penny in the fuse box over here!!

Yep, that's right Hot and Neutral or 'Live' and 'Neutral' as more commonly said over here.

 

[knockbill]

Yep, that's right Hot and Neutral or 'Live' and 'Neutral' as more commonly said over here.

Thanks,,,
How is it connected to ground, or "earth" as you say!! Is it just dependent on the pipe/conduit ?
I've always been interested how electricity is/was distributed in other places...

 

[Hyperion]

Is it just dependent on the pipe/conduit ?

I'm not an expert, but I can tell you what I know - there has to be a correctly rated earth conductor running through the conduit, (which must also be earthed). The conduit itself must never be the only method of providing an earth path to circuit breakers/fuse boxes/mains outlets etc.

 

[Rome]

Well built for sure!

Rome

 

[knockbill]

I'm not an expert, but I can tell you what I know - there has to be a correctly rated earth conductor running through the conduit, (which must also be earthed). The conduit itself must never be the only method of providing an earth path to circuit breakers/fuse boxes/mains outlets etc.

Thanks for the reply,,, that's as it is here also... I asked because I didn't see a ground/earth lug in your panel....

 

[Hyperion]

I didn't see a ground/earth lug in your panel....

You're right, I don't see or remember one either, I'll take a look when I get home.