Service head query

[tlangdon12]

Attached is a picture of the service head at our house. Is this a type that the DNO should replace for free upon notification?

It looks very old, and may have a fused neutral line, I can't quite see through the sight glass to see whether this is the case. The conductors going to the meter look like they have some sort of fabric covering and look very thin compared to the modern meter tails.

The CU is a Wylex rewireable fuse unit that I'd like to get upgraded; one advantage of this head is that it appears to have a built-in isolator (lever on the top rhs), but I think it needs to go.

Thanks in advance.

Tony (Householder)

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Absolutely Tony. When I worked for HP foods about 16 years ago, we had machinery with original switchgear from the 50's early 60's. Stuff was built like a tank, and nobody cared that it was twice the size of the modern stuff.

dont get `im started on Reyrolle....

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Thanks for posting the pic! That's a nice thing, please do try to make sure it doesn't get scrapped or broken up during replacement. When it was installed, if the service was DC the meter would have looked more like one of these: Electrokinetica - Factory: Intake room

FWIW if you eventually decide you don't want it rattling around the house once it has been replaced, we would certainly be interested in giving it a home at Electrokinetica where we are starting to build displays of early wiring systems. I need to find complete sets of equipment from each decade - easier said than done these days.

Cheers
Lucien

PS my first post on the forum!

 

[Geordie Spark]

dont get `im started on Reyrolle....

A J Reyrolle of Hebburn (it's in Geordieland) ....... another one that has bitten the dust.

 

[telectrix]

they were in their prime in your time, geordie. LOL.

 

[RWJ]

Thanks for posting the pic! That's a nice thing, please do try to make sure it doesn't get scrapped or broken up during replacement. When it was installed, if the service was DC the meter would have looked more like one of these: Electrokinetica - Factory: Intake room

FWIW if you eventually decide you don't want it rattling around the house once it has been replaced, we would certainly be interested in giving it a home at Electrokinetica where we are starting to build displays of early wiring systems. I need to find complete sets of equipment from each decade - easier said than done these days.

Cheers
Lucien

PS my first post on the forum!

Welcome along Lucien,

Are you a collector / museum?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Hi RWJ
Thanks for the welcome, with this hat on I'm the erstwhile curator of a forthcoming electrical museum 'Electrokinetica', but I do electrical installation as part of the day job too. So it's a bit of a busman's holiday really. I'll go and introduce myself properly on the new members forum area. A friend pointed out the picture of the vintage service cutout, and I thought it was about time to sign up so I could add my approval to the OP trying to save it for posterity.
Cheers
Lucien

 

[Silly Sausage]

Welcome to EF Lucien.
Be sure to let us know when and where your museum opens.

 

[thomas-1981]

From that statement, you’ve never come across old switchgear.

It would out last any modern isolator.

I do agree things aren't made as good as they once were but I think this is by it's best. Did a spell fitting meters and used to attend cut out replacements and guys from DNO said these were getting stuck in the off position quite often. Usually as per the OP new occupier being curious.

 

[Geordie Spark]

they were in their prime in your time, geordie. LOL.

I remember passing the factory in the train on the way to the seaside (South Shields) with my Mum.

I think the site has been flattened now - as has much of C A Parsons.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

It's an ask.

Could you post up some pictures of the wooden capping and casing?

I’m interested in anything that’s electrical and old.

As an industry we don’t have a long history when compared to the other trades.

Much as we despise plumbers and fitters, we are the new boys in town.

What even Tel :tongue3:

 

[Phoenix]

dont get `im started on Reyrolle....

My dad worked there!!! Forest Hall?

 

[Marvo]

Difficult to tell from the photo but if that's bitumen leaking from the supply cable then it also should be replaced at the same time.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Welcome along Lucien,

Are you a collector / museum?

Lucien...
is that a foreign word for:

 

[Geordie Spark]

My dad worked there!!! Forest Hall?

Hebburn - South side of the river.

Forest Hall is North side, but it's possible Reyrolle had a place there too.

Here's a Wikki link: A. Reyrolle & Company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Lucien...
is that a foreign word for...

Nope, just the French version of the Latin for light. I used to be a bulb in a former life. 150W GLS pearl BC, according to my birth cert.
L