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1930s Wiring.

Zoomup
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.
  • 0
    Jaymack:
    Zoomup:

    Nice brown circular M.E.M. bakelite tumbler light switches.

    Covers removeable without the use of a tool?

    Jaymack


    Possibly, but the ones that I have seen had the cover secured by two small screws.

    The BRASS light switches often had a cover with a central female thread that screwed onto a male thread that was part of the switch. These were removed by turning, no tools needed.


  • 0
    Jaymack:
    Zoomup:

    Nice brown circular M.E.M. bakelite tumbler light switches.

    Covers removeable without the use of a tool?

    Jaymack


    Actually in this case no Jaymack. The covers are held on by two small slotted screws.


    Z.


  • 0
    broadgage:
    Jaymack:
    Zoomup:

    Nice brown circular M.E.M. bakelite tumbler light switches.

    Covers removeable without the use of a tool?

    Jaymack


    Possibly, but the ones that I have seen had the cover secured by two small screws.

    The BRASS light switches often had a cover with a central female thread that screwed onto a male thread that was part of the switch. These were removed by turning, no tools needed.




    Depending on if you tightened the circular threaded ring by hand or pliers.


    Z.


  • 0
    Any way, today I went to install  nice new earth rod and clamp, plus a new R.C.D. and to look at the permanently ON kitchen light. The reason for the latter was found to be in an old brown junction box where the rubber insulation had perished and two conductors were shorting together. Offending items disconnected subject to rewiring next week. Very horrible.


     I was trying to imagine the electrician that first installed the stuff as I removed some slotted steel half inch wood screws holding accessories. It was like being in a living museum.


    Z.

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