polo1

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Came across this board today. "Home made" by the electrician who lived in the property in the mid '50s, fused neutrals, no main switch and all. The board was in as new condition and I don't think it has been worked on since it was installed. My photo probably does not do it justice

The current owner, a great lad in his late 80s, wanted me to connect up an immerser to his hwc, using the lead sheathed radial ( not sure why, but this appeared to be the only circuit not rewired in imperial T&E).

He totally understood why the board should be changed, but took the view "it's worked fine so far, and it can see me out"
 

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Came across this board today. "Home made" by the electrician who lived in the property in the mid '50s, fused neutrals, no main switch and all. The board was in as new condition and I don't think it has been worked on since it was installed. My photo probably does not do it justice

The current owner, a great lad in his late 80s, wanted me to connect up an immerser to his hwc, using the lead sheathed radial ( not sure why, but this appeared to be the only circuit not rewired in imperial T&E).

He totally understood why the board should be changed, but took the view "it's worked fine so far, and it can see me out"

You should have called the police - that will never last!
 
Came across this board today. "Home made" by the electrician who lived in the property in the mid '50s, fused neutrals, no main switch and all. The board was in as new condition and I don't think it has been worked on since it was installed. My photo probably does not do it justice

The current owner, a great lad in his late 80s, wanted me to connect up an immerser to his hwc, using the lead sheathed radial ( not sure why, but this appeared to be the only circuit not rewired in imperial T&E).

He totally understood why the board should be changed, but took the view "it's worked fine so far, and it can see me out"

When you say 'fused neutrals' do you mean fuses in neutrals only? I would have thought, looking at it that it was fused in line and neutral.

No type testing ... and it has served safely for 60 years ... no electrocutions, no CU fires

Rushton, what were the sentiments behind 'calling the police'?
 
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When you say 'fused neutrals' do you mean fuses in neutrals only? I would have thought, looking at it that it was fused in line and neutral.

No type testing ... and it has served safely for 60 years ... no electrocutions, no CU fires

Rushton, what were the sentiments behind 'calling the police'?

Joke, his efforts have stood the test of time.
Referring to the horror that some would feel seeing that.
 
Joke, his efforts have stood the test of time.
Referring to the horror that some would feel seeing that.

I thought so ... I didn't want to step in with size 9s where angels fear to tread! I admire it! I am looking forward to discovering and, if at all practical, reinstating as many of the historic electrical features of our property that I can? We have some of the original bell cranks from the manually operated servants bell system. That was a delight when I stumbled across them in the loft! More interestingly and obvious, we have the turned wooden push switches in each room and central electrical bell unit in the kitchen; it was made by a local plumbing company, long since vanished. I am hoping one day to reinstate it as a working system! We also have what appears to be a wooden junction box in the loft which awaits some more investigation. Unfortunately I felt the need to remove all the GPO, lead headed and wrought iron nailed, cable clips from the outside of the house due to the risk of rust jacking and spalling of the stonework!

At the moment I am sitting next to a round 2-pin switched socket. It has a brass faceplate, toggle switch and a circular ceramic insert for the plug pins. The only problem ... it is a 'screwless' fitting! I do not know how the pattress is fixed.
 
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I thought so ... I didn't want to step in with size 9s where angels fear to tread! I admire it! I am looking forward to discovering and, if at all practical, reinstating as many of the historic electrical features of our property that I can? We have some of the original bell cranks from the manually operated servants bell system. That was a delight when I stumbled across them in the loft! More interestingly and obvious, we have the turned wooden push switches in each room and central electrical bell unit in the kitchen; it was made by a local plumbing company, long since vanished. I am hoping one day to reinstate it as a working system! We also have what appears to be a wooden junction box in the loft which awaits some more investigation. Unfortunately I felt the need to remove all the GPO, lead headed and wrought iron nailed, cable clips from the outside of the house due to the risk of rust jacking and spalling of the stonework!

At the moment I am sitting next to a round 2-pin switched socket. It has a brass faceplate, toggle switch and a circular ceramic insert for the plug pins. The only problem ... It is a 'screwless' fitting! I do not know how the pattress is fixed.

I worked in an old hall where the telegraph was still in operational order it was an amazing feat. The steel cable ran under the floorboards through guides - when they changed direction they went through brass pulley wheels. They were kept taught by periodic lead weights similar to fishing ledger weights.

It was a pleasure to work in that place, loads of interesting features including a quoits pond that was discovered, it would be filled with water and allowed to freeze over so it could be used.

I took a box out about a year ago with the type of fuses fuses in that picture. I asked the customer ; a mate, not to get rid of them, so if he still has them and they are any good to you let me know.

I admire you for trying to get your property back to original specification.
 
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Came across this board today. "Home made" by the electrician who lived in the property in the mid '50s, fused neutrals, no main switch and all. The board was in as new condition and I don't think it has been worked on since it was installed. My photo probably does not do it justice

The current owner, a great lad in his late 80s, wanted me to connect up an immerser to his hwc, using the lead sheathed radial ( not sure why, but this appeared to be the only circuit not rewired in imperial T&E).

He totally understood why the board should be changed, but took the view "it's worked fine so far, and it can see me out"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3KEhWTnWvE
 
Will outlast any **** that has been manufactured and installed today... well, until a Electrical Trainee gets in there and says its against the law and a fire hazard.
 
quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by polo1
Came across this board today. "Home made" by the electrician who lived in the property in the mid '50s, fused neutrals, no main switch and all. The board was in as new condition and I don't think it has been worked on since it was installed. My photo probably does not do it justice

The current owner, a great lad in his late 80s, wanted me to connect up an immerser to his hwc, using the lead sheathed radial ( not sure why, but this appeared to be the only circuit not rewired in imperial T&E).

He totally understood why the board should be changed, but took the view "it's worked fine so far, and it can see me out"



When you say 'fused neutrals' do you mean fuses in neutrals only? I would have thought, looking at it that it was fused in line and neutral.


Fused line & neutral indeed.

GB Kayak...you would love this house! Large sandstone property, Bakelite accessories all over the place. The wood panelling is amazing. Just a pity that it's all becoming too much for this couple to look after.
 
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Are you sure it's home made? It looks the spitting image of an MEM Katark fuseboard of that era.
I've come across a couple of them in my travels
 
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Its nice to see the whole of the fuse holders intact,most like that I knew had some holders in 2 parts held together by the fuse wire
 
i went to an old wylex yesterday that the shower had melted the fuse and carrier in.
it would be fair to say it had a good old roast.
the wooden bit of the board?....... not a even a mark!
its becoming rare to find such beasts these days.i used to come across these quite often in my younger days as des says in various states of decrepitness.
 
That's NOT a homemade fuse box!! What you have there, is a typical fuse board from the early 40's and beyond (long before the 50's) and the type of board that the first all in one 3036 Wylex CU boards replaced after the 2nd world war....
 
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quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by polo1
Came across this board today. "Home made" by the electrician who lived in the property in the mid '50s, fused neutrals, no main switch and all. The board was in as new condition and I don't think it has been worked on since it was installed. My photo probably does not do it justice

The current owner, a great lad in his late 80s, wanted me to connect up an immerser to his hwc, using the lead sheathed radial ( not sure why, but this appeared to be the only circuit not rewired in imperial T&E).

He totally understood why the board should be changed, but took the view "it's worked fine so far, and it can see me out"



When you say 'fused neutrals' do you mean fuses in neutrals only? I would have thought, looking at it that it was fused in line and neutral.


Fused line & neutral indeed.

GB Kayak...you would love this house! Large sandstone property, Bakelite accessories all over the place. The wood panelling is amazing. Just a pity that it's all becoming too much for this couple to look after.
he will mean fused line and neutrel, they were fused at intake for a long time if i remember right, lucien will be able to date it for you when they were fused
 

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