Thread: Antique Disconnect

Came accross this original service equiptment by Chicago Switchboard, dated 1927. A thing of beauty. Any thoughts on whether it has any value as an antique?
Also check out the exterior light switch and outlet. The outlet is marked "Hubbell" 10A 250V.

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That reminds me of the original service panels I've seen in some of "America's Castles." I was touring the homes in Providence, RI, and in one of them, the service panel, in the basement, was so ornate. It was in marble with brass edging and brass engraved plates under each of the circuits.

Same thing at Biltmore House, only the original panel, which ended up serving the house up until the 70s, was "overwritten" with embossed tape from a label maker in several spots.

If you had the money back then, you had things of beauty even in the places you wouldn't see them.

That panel above is truly neat considering it's in what I guess is just a regular house (perhaps a bit on the upscale though, eh?). Looks like it's in fairly good shape for its age.

I was in downtown Buffalo last week and came across this 1200 amp 120 volt service.

You don't mention whether that is in OP or the City. If in the City you may want to advise your client about the 60% rule regarding the disconnect and any electrical repairs or upgrades.
The A type meter base is not allowed. City electrical inspectors write those up automatically for removal and replacement as boiler plate. Depending on your clients viewpoint, you may want to inform them about the potential substantial electrical upgrade costs.

Originally Posted by Markus Keller

You don't mention whether that is in OP or the City. If in the City you may want to advise your client about the 60% rule regarding the disconnect and any electrical repairs or upgrades.
The A type meter base is not allowed. City electrical inspectors write those up automatically for removal and replacement as boiler plate. Depending on your clients viewpoint, you may want to inform them about the potential substantial electrical upgrade costs.

Thanks Markus and all. Yea this house is in OP. My client was a potential buyer - forclosed, bank owned property. Unfortunately they were outbid; 8000+ sq. ft. mansion, 10 fireplaces! They were planning big rehab ($500,000 plus), complete electrical etc. I posted the pics. for the historic interest; state of the art equiptment in 1927.

Fun stuff; all copper bussing, handles that look like they belong on a shovel and I'll bet those covers are heavy.

Originally Posted by Donal Hughes

Thanks Markus and all. Yea this house is in OP. My client was a potential buyer - forclosed, bank owned property. Unfortunately they were outbid; 8000+ sq. ft. mansion, 10 fireplaces! They were planning big rehab ($500,000 plus), complete electrical etc. I posted the pics. for the historic interest; state of the art equiptment in 1927.

Was going to ask if it was an old mansion. Have seen that type of panel where money was no object. If anyone remembers the movie "Annie" with Daddy Warbucks, the panels in the mansion are real beautiful works of art.

How did we survive stuff like this?

Originally Posted by Gene Grigg

How did we survive stuff like this?

This country was not the Nanny State it is now. Folks had common sense, worked hard and had a good life. Life was much simpler back then than it is now.

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

Life was much simpler back then than it is now.

Yep ... we all got buy with no computers, no electric water heaters, no ac systems, no electric ranges ... heck, all the typical house needed was 30 amp service for those new fangled electric light things, then we got that new contraption which replaced the ice box ... still, 30 amps was enough.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Yep ... we all got buy with no computers, no electric water heaters, no ac systems, no electric ranges ... heck, all the typical house needed was 30 amp service for those new fangled electric light things, then we got that new contraption which replaced the ice box ... still, 30 amps was enough.

"And by crackie... we didn't need any stinking ground either!!!!"

Originally Posted by Rich Goeken

"And by crackie... we didn't need any stinking ground either!!!!"

Just a shed for the light plant and a can of kerosene.

Originally Posted by John Kogel

Just a shed for the light plant and a can of kerosene.

Wow ! Is that a washing machine in the basement (pic 2) being driven by an open pulley and belt?
And what on earth is going on in that other shed in the background?

You mean the Delco Power Stand?

Yes, I wonder how many pairs of longjohns got wrapped up in that washing machine drive belt before they got the thing contained in a cabinet?

When a Model T roadster sold for $350, the light Plant might have been a tough sale, so they had to come up with lots of neat accessories. They were making butter in that outbuilding, that's the creamery.

Lot of expense and apparatus for a few lights. I'm surprised anybody ever thought it was a good idea!

Here's a second floor panel I found in a large 1920s house a while back. Work of art for sure.