This is the electric panel in a 19th century mansion in Martinsburg, WV. This is the oldest one I have ever seen. It is still in use.
The service has a finished wood case with a glass door. It looks very cool.
It is conspicuously located in the entry hall. Unlike a modern electric service, which is usually hidden somewhere, this service is meant to be seen. When this was installed, it would have been a prestigious thing to have electricity; something only the rich could have.
This is a 40 amp service. Each circuit has a 5 amp fuse, curiously on both the hot and neutral wire, with a double knife switch to turn off-and-on the circuit. Typical of old electric services, there is no provision for a ground.
We joked about tying-in to the service. We could have powered a few practicals. Maybe.
The service has a finished wood case with a glass door. It looks very cool.
It is conspicuously located in the entry hall. Unlike a modern electric service, which is usually hidden somewhere, this service is meant to be seen. When this was installed, it would have been a prestigious thing to have electricity; something only the rich could have.
This is a 40 amp service. Each circuit has a 5 amp fuse, curiously on both the hot and neutral wire, with a double knife switch to turn off-and-on the circuit. Typical of old electric services, there is no provision for a ground.
We joked about tying-in to the service. We could have powered a few practicals. Maybe.