AMD 3 compliant.....?

polo1 · Jan 28, 2015

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"

ruston · Jan 28, 2015

polo1 said:
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!

Guest125 · Jan 28, 2015

Nice photo. Are these the 'good ol' days' I keep hearing about?

ruston · Jan 28, 2015

UKESRail said:
Nice photo. Are these the 'good ol' days' I keep hearing about?

If he replaced the cables and left the lead because it was modern , yes it's the old days lol.

GB.Kayak · Jan 28, 2015

polo1 said:
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'?

ruston · Jan 28, 2015

GB.Kayak said:
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.

GB.Kayak · Jan 28, 2015

ruston said:
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.

ruston · Jan 28, 2015

GB.Kayak said:
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.

Pete999 · Jan 28, 2015

polo1 said:
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

drzsta · Jan 28, 2015

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.

polo1 · Jan 28, 2015

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.

GB.Kayak · Jan 28, 2015

Polo1, whereabouts are you based?

davesparks · Jan 28, 2015

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

Adam W · Jan 28, 2015

And what if it had burned the house down? "What? The guy made the CU himself, out of wood!?"

ruston · Jan 28, 2015

davesparks said:
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

You could well be right I'm sure the board I took out was MEM.