Grand Father of switchboard
- Thread starter jrvazzer
- Start date
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growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
I think those are fuse links.
Could you look at the name plate on that switch gear and see when and where is was made.
A few year ago we removed some gear made in 1935 but that looks older or maybe made in a different county.
Could you look at the name plate on that switch gear and see when and where is was made.
A few year ago we removed some gear made in 1935 but that looks older or maybe made in a different county.
The building open in 1930. I'm going back soon i'll take a closer look and pic. funny thing I didn't notice it until I viewed the picture back at work.
Here is a closer look I have one more.
Attachments
Here is another Link in the same board.
Attachments
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING! :blink:
I've never even seen anything like that. It's actually kind of cool.
I've never even seen anything like that. It's actually kind of cool.
RLyons
Senior Member
- Location
- Changed for anonymity
Just a guess....A test point of sorts, I don't see any type of gauges and such :?
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
If the lower bolt does not attach through the panel into the switchboard, the coils could be phosphor bronze springs that separate the pieces of the flat fuse link when it melts.
More distance to extinguish the arc and indicating too.
More distance to extinguish the arc and indicating too.
John120/240
Senior Member
- Location
- Olathe, Kansas
Agreed & it is neat to look at.
Years ago either here or at ET, there was a picture of a Frank Arnold brand panel mounted on Marble. It was Cool also. Anyone have a picture ?
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
It sure looks like a part has been removed at that bottom of the coils. Might be just a cover or might be mechanical/electrical.
I wonder whether the links are still active?
PS: I wonder what level of PPE is required just to stand next to it, if those are really fusible links?
PPS: The coils are places to connect a clamp ammeter??? :angel:
PPPS: Looks like they do not let the janitors come in to sweep.
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Tony S
Senior Member
- Location
- Resting under the Major Oak UK
At a rough guess they?re blow out coils for the ACB?s that have been bridged out above.
It is a beautiful bit of historic kit.
Here?s one that I?m ashamed to admit I scrapped.
Tony S
Senior Member
- Location
- Resting under the Major Oak UK
This is one I would have loved to get to play with. BBC Droitwich Transmitting Station. It controlled the mercury arc rectifiers.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Gotta love the period PPE for engineers! At least it is natural fiber (fibre).
Tony S
Senior Member
- Location
- Resting under the Major Oak UK
Looking at these, they are blow out coils.
They help quench the AC arc during fault interruption.
Fulthrotl
~Autocorrect is My Worst Enema.~
- Occupation
- E
i've seen boards built like that elsewhere....
the material they are made from is often half inch asbestos sheet.
they used to polish it so it looked almost like bakelite.
i've got some old photos of 1920 ish switchboards at some of the
old substations in LA. i'll see if i can find them.. cool handmade stuff.
poured in place 5KV positions instead of switchgear, concrete cubbies,
formed with 1x3 boards from a time before plywood.....
Tony S
Senior Member
- Location
- Resting under the Major Oak UK
The good ones were made of polished slate. As an apprentice I had to polish them and the tiled floor.
The DC boards put the fear of god in me. I got arc flash burns to my legs off an ?open board? breaker. It opened at about 1500A while I was stood in front of it wondering what was going on, normal load was about 350A. The arc flame was about two foot high.
Tony S
Senior Member
- Location
- Resting under the Major Oak UK
This is one I would have loved to get to play with. BBC Droitwich Transmitting Station. It controlled the mercury arc rectifiers.
I?ve got more pictures of the place, they deserve a separate thread.
HoosierSparky
Senior Plans Examiner, MEP
- Location
- Scottsdale AZ
- Occupation
- Senior Plans Examiner
Looks like the boards are either slate or soapstone. Reminds me of the overhead crane control boards I used to work on in the steel mill. Really "fun" stuff!
- Status