Old Imperial Singles & Crabtree A15052 Switch

[MaintenanceSpark]

Hi guys,

I don’t really know where to post this, sorry if it’s in the wrong place.

After posting a thread about old lead sheathed cable in my attic, Lucien gave me a very good history lesson on the cable which was very interesting and it gave me a big interest in old electrical cables and fittings.

The factory I work in was a WW2 Hospital. We had a bit of quiet time so I decided to check the old conduit systems that are no longer in use but have never been taken down and found runs of old tinned copper Imperial singles. The conduit also led me to an old Crabtree switch that was behind a wall.

The switch was in a poor condition so I decided to restore it. I sandblasted it, painted black and wire wheeled the brass switch knobs and pins.

My question is with the size of cable that was attached to the switch, what power did lights used to draw way back then? (Please see attached photos of the imperial single and restored switch.)

I know Lucien is no longer with us but his history lesson really inspired me to not just chuck things away. So thanks Lucien! The single was also manufactured by the same cable company that manufactured the lead sheathed cable in my attic; Callenders Cables. Shame there’s no date stamp.

 

[David Prosser]

We use Lucion to deal with/test our asbestos containing equipment. I'm guessing you're over Malvern way if your in old WW2 hospitals.

 

[MaintenanceSpark]

We use Lucion to deal with/test our asbestos containing equipment. I'm guessing you're over Malvern way if your in old WW2 hospitals.

Thanks for that, I shall pass that company name on when I'm back in the new year. About half hour from Malvern, we're in Honeybourne.

 

[timhoward]

I removed this yesterday - it was incredibly still powering a doorbell transformer with a fuse through the neutral too!
I struggle to throw things like this away.
I'm entertaining cleaning it up and using it as a light switch in my workshop.

 

[MaintenanceSpark]

I removed this yesterday - it was incredibly still powering a doorbell transformer with a fuse through the neutral too!
I struggle to throw things like this away.
I'm entertaining cleaning it up and using it as a light switch in my workshop.

View attachment 112358

I like the look of that! Any idea of the age?

 

[timhoward]

I like the look of that! Any idea of the age?

My guess is 1930’s - 40’s. Others might know better

 

[freddo]

I've got loads of cast iron switchgear here I've 'saved' from various jobs. It's so much nicer than the rubbish plastic tat we fit today.

 

[David Prosser]

Thanks for that, I shall pass that company name on when I'm back in the new year. About half hour from Malvern, we're in Honeybourne.

Oh that side, breakfast at Porkies then!

 

[R-fur]

On putting a date on old cables the makers used to use a letter system. This was certainly used on pilc cables and sometimes in lead sheathed twin, don,t think I have ever seen it on singles though.
I have no idea why they dident just stamp the date on.
The code is;

KALITEMBUS for BICC
1234567890
MAYFLOWERS for AEI and Henley

so KUTB is a BICC cable made in 1958