What does this piece of switchgear do?

[Lucien Nunes]

This is for the young punks who think they know a bit about real switchgear, and the old geezers who might just remember seeing the results one of these things produces. I've just got this running, probably last used in the 1970s, the building it was in was knocked down in '82.


If no-one gets it I'll post a pic from another angle that shows the 'heart' of the beast, and if someone asks nicely I'll put a video clip up on youtube later once I've run it a heavier supply and connected it to what it controls.

 

[Dizzy_Maskell]

No idea il be honest but looks like asbestos arc fibre could be in them fuses ????

 

[Leesparkykent]

I haven't got a scooby

 

[Lucien Nunes]

There sure is some asbestos, not just in the fuses! But it's mostly low-hazard asbestos cement board. That's a clue, incidentally.

 

[Octopus]

You need to wait until Tony comes along..

 

[telectrix]

what's more to the point is.......... how is dr. who going to travel in time when the tardis is missing it's vital time clock?

 

[ImpededLoop]

Some kind of motorised contactor/switch although it looks like it might somehow sequence the switching of the three phases.

It'll be interesting to hear what it is!

 

[Darkwood]

does it make bricks or tiles etc?

 

[Pete999]

Wound rotor speed controller.

 

[ImpededLoop]

Wound rotor speed controller.

Does it have five stages (plus off)?

Just interested!

 

[Leesparkykent]

Oil filled?

 

[Darkwood]

He stated it produces something which would suggest an answer of control nature is incorrect.

 

[Pete999]

A wigwam for grinding smoke

 

[Darkwood]

Just looking at it again it has three arms pushing in and out so I would guess it a bellow system for a musical organ etc ... as it portable and on castors ... making a bag of wind for some purpose?

 

[telectrix]

that frame in the corner of your living room is not a wigwam. it's your zimmer frame, pete.

 

[Pete999]

that frame in the corner of your living room is not a wigwam. it's your zimmer frame, pete.

You cheeky boy

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Does not make music or pump anything
Single phase input, single phase outputs
Takes 1 minute to do what it does
Can be manually overridden in various ways
Air cooled
Was not originally portable, spent 45 years fixed to the spot (in Stockport)

 

[telectrix]

stockport? must be archy striiggs' alarm clock.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

T'other side

 

[7029 dave]

Just looking at it again it has three arms pushing in and out so I would guess it a bellow system for a musical organ etc ... as it portable and on castors ... making a bag of wind for some purpose?

Yep defo some sort of DIY vacuum set up.