I attended an ex WW2 military barracks hut today. Timber construction now. It is used as a holiday chalet for visitors. Nice rubber insulated cables. Not in bad condition considering their age. Nice brown circular M.E.M. bakelite tumbler light switches. Also the earthing conductor (7 strand tinned copper) at the earth rod just came away from the rod when inspected.
There was a problem though. A light switch did not turn off the kitchen light, it just stayed on. It was suspected to be faulty. I removed it, lubricated it, although the original grease was still quite good but limited. The switch was replaced and the light still stayed on constantly. When the switch was taken off the wall again the kitchen light still stayed on continually with no wall switch fitted. I suspect that the switch live and permanent supply live have melded together under pressure at the lighting point.
These old installations are just so interesting.
Repairs tomorrow.
Z.
