Black box in old consumer unit - electrician stumped.

alexkx3 · Mar 20, 2018

Can any of you old pros out there help identify the middle black box made by Engel and Gibbs ltd. It buzzes sporadically, even when the main supply to the flat is off.

My electrician has never seen it before and can't figure out.

Thanks,

Alex

[ElectriciansForums.net] Black box in old consumer unit - electrician stumped.

telectrix · Mar 22, 2018

Last plumber said:
I think it is a solenoid driven mercury tilt switch.
Be careful if it is, as you know Mercury is poisonous.
If you are going to dispose of them, they have to be treated as hazardous/poisonous waste.
Used for the same purpose to a contact set.
A control circuit operated the solenoid which in turn tilted the switch and the Mercury would make contact between two terminals in order to to carry a heavier load, e.g. Electric Underfloor Heating

can't see mercury. the moon and maybe venus from bedroom window on a clear night perhaps.

Last plumber · Mar 22, 2018

telectrix said:
can't see mercury. the moon and maybe venus from bedroom window on a clear night perhaps.

You sure that's not the reflection of your eyes in the glass?

telectrix · Mar 22, 2018

Last plumber said:
You sure that's not the reflection of your eyes in the glass?
View attachment 41501

how you got my crazy frog out the van.last time i saw him he was on my dashboard?

Lucien Nunes · Mar 22, 2018

OK so it is a mercury relay as I thought. It's perfectly safe if you don't smash it, just like a mercury thermometer, because it's sealed. The humming is not a problem, many AC relays hum when energised, often it means there's some dust or grit inside that is just stopping the armature fractionally short.

One of the load terminals has overheated - is the underfloor heating still going to be in use? If so, this should be repaired or replaced. If it does get replaced, I'll cover your costs to send it for the museum and then you don't have to think about disposal - you can't put it in normal refuse because it will get crushed and the mercury will escape.

Last plumber · Mar 22, 2018

Lucien Nunes said:
Agreed - probably underfloor heating contactor or mercury relay. Unusual design, would be interested to see inside (the cover comes off with two knurled nuts). If it turns out to be something interesting, I'd pay to have it posted here for the museum!

Which Museum is this?

telectrix · Mar 22, 2018

Last plumber said:
Which Museum is this?

it's lucien's private museum pride of place is this gem:

Last plumber · Mar 22, 2018

telectrix said:
it's lucien's private museum pride of place is this gem:

Which is Lucien?
Let me guess. The one on the table, right?

Lucien Nunes · Mar 22, 2018

I'm one of the bulbs at the back! It's not going to be private for much longer. It's been a long time in the making and there are more delays as we'll probably be moving the collection soon, but when we arrive at the far end, it will be a proper visitable exhibition. Website is getting rather out of date but see www.electrokinetica.org

Last plumber · Mar 22, 2018

Lucien's museum looks just like the 'Electric room' in one of the old mill buildings I work in from time to time. No table, just lots of weird and wonderful buzzing things with big levers and dials.

Last plumber · Mar 22, 2018

Lucien Nunes said:
I'm one of the bulbs at the back! It's not going to be private for much longer. It's been a long time in the making and there are more delays as we'll probably be moving the collection soon, but when we arrive at the far end, it will be a proper visitable exhibition. Website is getting rather out of date but see www.electrokinetica.org

Interesting!
Is this a big collection Lucien?
Going off your location is it in London?

Dave OCD · Mar 22, 2018

Lucien - I have an old early Crabtree current operated trip that looks like the voltage type but in two parts, if you don't have one I can send it to you ?

7029 dave · Mar 22, 2018

Don't think it is a contractor second look, tranny of some sort.

ipf · Mar 22, 2018

7029 dave said:
Don't think it is a contractor second look, tranny of some sort.

Is that a spark who cross dresses?

freddo · Mar 22, 2018

Awesome technology, I only have little mercury tilt switches here.

7029 dave · Mar 22, 2018

Mercury switch got it.

Black box in old consumer unit - electrician stumped.

alexkx3

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telectrix

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Last plumber

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telectrix

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Lucien Nunes

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Last plumber

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telectrix

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Last plumber

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Lucien Nunes

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Last plumber

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Last plumber

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Dave OCD

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7029 dave

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ipf

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freddo

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7029 dave

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