4 minute read
The Black Museum
from Connections - Summer 2016
by NICEIC
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
Over 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
Light circuit adapters
When electricity was first introduced to homes in the UK, its main function was to provide light. Having various socket points around the home was not a common sight, so if anyone had an additional need for electricity it was usually provided by the same source as the lighting circuit. These handy adapters date back to the 1950s and would simply fit into the light fitting, allowing the user to still have light while also being able to plug in items such as an iron or radio
Junction box
Junction boxes of yesteryear were slightly diff erent to those around today. This one pictured probably dates back to around 1940 and features lead cables with cone connectors – more commonly known in the trade at the time as the dog’s danglies (or other such terms)
Voltmeter
Dating back to around 1930, this pocket watch-sized voltmeter would have been used for testing the terminals on a Leclanché cell or battery, which were commonly used in radios at the time
Electrical pocket book
Contractors are used to carrying a book around in their tool bag, and it was no diff erent in 1917, as this little green pocket-sized volume shows
Wylex fuse board
Still making consumer units today, this is one of the earliest models from Wylex. Note the space for just four BS3036 semi-enclosed fuses – the semi-enclosed electric fuses (ratings up to 100 amps and 240 volts to earth) standard has been around for more than 50 years. Some of these will still exist in homes today
Ceiling rose
Pendants today come in a range of formats, but back in 1960 the most common form of light fitting was this Bakelite ceiling rose with twisted flex and cone connectors. The rose was built on to a wooden block, so no concern about overheating then!
15 amp socket
Used up until the mid-1960s, this 15 amp socket was the common socket of its day. They were attached to radial circuits and the plugs of that time were all unfused
Voltage testers
Modern voltage testers come in a variety of forms but are not too dissimilar to the original ones that came on to the market in around 1960. The first is a plug-in style tester with a switch to test. The second is a pen-style tester with neon light