old wylex skelton unit, mystery accessory identification help

[Mb1234]

Hi attached picture shows a 1975 wylex consumer board in a flat we are in process of buying. Doing a bit of research whilst waiting for the paperwork to get sorted.
Found plenty of information on how to add a new skeleton board in and quite a few pictures of same old board. but none so far with the extra bit on the right.
Question, has anyone got any idea on what the small square unit is sticking out the front to the right of the main switch and what it does. Did send the picture to wylex tech support, they say they never made anything like it so must be an added on.
Plan is to fit largest amendment 3 board that will fit and all RBCO's plus a complete rewire in twin and earth, all original cabling is in the loft via metal conduit. Looks to be run in singles plus has a number of doggy looking DIY additions, think its safer just to ripe the lot out and start from scratch not using the conduit as I have the loft access. Plan to ask the DNO to check the cutout fuse rating, confirm earthing type and put in an isolator switch, then get electrician in to test/make safe, quote for job, currently the whole thing looks very basic no RDC's etc.
Anything in the rules to stop removal of conduit down into top of mantel box and replacing with large plastic trunking set into wall to take new cable runs at present there will not be enough space. Flat is having complete refurb/not occupied so not too worried about damaging current decor.

 

[cliffed]

Just go ahead with a inspect & test,new DB,box on right looks like an old bell transformer,good luck.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

As above...bell transformer.
Not sure about the practicalities of flushing plastic trunking into the wall. I think I would form a boxing of batten with a screwed ply cover and brass bushes into the top of the metal. Possibly that could be formed flush to the plaster by a decent joiner.

 

[Pete999]

Hi attached picture shows a 1975 wylex consumer board in a flat we are in process of buying. Doing a bit of research whilst waiting for the paperwork to get sorted.
Found plenty of information on how to add a new skeleton board in and quite a few pictures of same old board. but none so far with the extra bit on the right.
Question, has anyone got any idea on what the small square unit is sticking out the front to the right of the main switch and what it does. Did send the picture to wylex tech support, they say they never made anything like it so must be an added on.
Plan is to fit largest amendment 3 board that will fit and all RBCO's plus a complete rewire in twin and earth, all original cabling is in the loft via metal conduit. Looks to be run in singles plus has a number of doggy looking DIY additions, think its safer just to ripe the lot out and start from scratch not using the conduit as I have the loft access. Plan to ask the DNO to check the cutout fuse rating, confirm earthing type and put in an isolator switch, then get electrician in to test/make safe, quote for job, currently the whole thing looks very basic no RDC's etc.
Anything in the rules to stop removal of conduit down into top of mantel box and replacing with large plastic trunking set into wall to take new cable runs at present there will not be enough space. Flat is having complete refurb/not occupied so not too worried about damaging current decor.

View attachment 39720

Looks like a bell transformer

 

[Mb1234]

Thank you all for the help, bell transformer that sort of makes sense as there is a large empty back box (fancy sculpted corners) further down the hall high up the wall with conduit up and downward, we though it might have been part of an original main entrance door entry system, looks big enough to hold a speaker possible the transform powered that originally. Good idea on the ply and brass bushes I'll be adopting that one.

 

[Dozer 73]

Done a few of these types of dB changes a few year ago for a council on upgrades , we found the replacement type to install in the housing not very good and very tight for room
We found if possible to install a new dB above this cabinet , we had t and e and existing plastic conduit , all the cables went up from the box so you could reveal them with minimum mess ( no patching )
Obviously you couldn’t do this if it’s wired in metal conduit , like you said your job is
Just a bit of food for thought , if your rewiring maybe it would go above
Only an idea