Here is a Wylex brand "Standard Range" distribution panel. This one is the metal-clad version, but insulated versions were more common in residential applications:
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The separate front cover unscrews to reveal the fuses. In this case I've put just one fuse in and left the other positions either with just the terminal covers or bare so you can get a better idea.

Each circuit position is fitted with a plastic cover which (a) insures that the energized busbar is covered and (b) by the size of the slots prevents the insertion of a higher-rated fuse carrier. The covers and fuses are color coded according to the system I mentioned elsewhere:
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And here's the panel (blush!) naked, so to speak:
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Note again the double-pole switch which opens hot and neutral.

These Wylex "Standard Range" units remain quite popular, partly because the basic design has not changed in over 40 years (*). It is still possible to obtain replacements for old installations, and in fact Wylex still manufactures this range of panels.

Another reason for their popularity is that the same units can take rewireable fuse carriers, cartridge fuses, or circuit breakers. Upgrading an old installation which has rewireable fuses just requires the replacement of the individual covers and the fuse itself -- No need to even remove the main front cover.

The rewireable fuse was at one time the most common in domestic systems. The prongs are different sizes/spacing to prevent the insertion of, say, a 30A carrier into a position fitted with a 15A cover, but of course there is nothing to stop somebody fitting the wrong size fusewire (very common!), or worse yet a straightened out paperclip! (A favorite trick [Linked Image] ) :
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Cartridge fuse carriers offer better protection, as a larger cartridge fuse won't physically fit into a smaller carrier (I do sometimes see blown fuses bridged with a piece of wire though <Sigh!> ):
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Circuit breakers for this panel are also a plug-in type, using the same back covers as for cartridge fuses. You just have to replace or cut out the center of the front "fuse" cover when C/Bs are employed.

(*) Compare with the old 1966 ad posted here . (The ad is for a one-way "switch-fuse", but multi-branch panels were similar.) You can't get them in brown now, though, and the plastic cases on the new ones are thinner. [Linked Image]



[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 07-27-2002).]