Celebrating 60 years of NICEIC contractors
THE BLACK MUSEUM Tucked away in NICEIC’s Black Museum is a collection of various pieces of electrical history, ranging from early installation test equipment to some unusual electric devices
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ver the years, NICEIC has picked up or come across many interesting items and examples relating to the electrical industry. Many of the bits and pieces date back to a period of time long before NICEIC even existed and help form a picture of the industry through time. From old consumer units and sockets to tools of a bygone era, they help explain how the industry has changed and developed throughout the last century. The majority of these items have been sent in to us by contractors who have come across them during their work. They range from the weird and wacky to the downright dangerous, and often serve as a warning to other contractors who may come across similar objects in their time out on the tools. These items are now housed in our own Black Museum – a display at our Warwick House headquarters, which is also rolled out at many of our Live show events. Here we take a look at some of the strangest items in our vaults. Let us know if you think you have come across similar, or, if there is anything you would like to include, please email marketing@certsure.com
Electric water bottle Now we all know water and electricity are not always a good mix, but back in the 1950s it was not that uncommon for people to go to bed with a hot water bottle plugged into the mains. The bottle was made from a tough plastic with a twisted flex providing electricity throughout the night. A whole new meaning to an electrifying performance in bed!
Old tester Many of you will be used to handling test equipment, but this earth continuity tester dating back to around 1940 would not have been in every electrician’s toolbox back then. This item would have only been used by the very skilled, or a contractor working for a large firm. It was housed in a wooden box, with very intricate dovetail joints. A real treasure piece item
Wooden fuse board The third amendment to BS7671:2008 may require consumer units to be made, or have their enclosures manufactured, from noncombustible material, but back in the 1950s most fuse boards came on wooden back boards with fuses for live and neutral – no earth
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Summer 2016 Connections
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