ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Non-US Electrical Systems & Trades More U.K. pics

Pauluk, you're absolutely right. They have been common in Austria until the 1960ies, and I managed to get enough working ones to redo my room. However, knobturn switches also rule!

So this isn't a modern switch?, looks like one. :confused
Would not look out of place in our modern commercial decors, over here.

Trumpy,
The one pictured by C-H is a modern style.

Ranger and I were just saying that we like the traditional style American toggles. (I prefer the old British toggles to rockers, but in my humble opinion the U.S. style toggles are nicer!)

What is the difference between them? Ours were pretty much like the American ones, except for they were round and had nicely styled covers.
Sometimes you can find switches and receptacles that were hardly ever used (for example in guest bedrooms) and in excellent shape. I know of early 1900s knobturn switches that still work.
There is a german company that makes replicas of toggles and knobturns that look really original, but 28 Euro for a single switch definitely isn't nice (they're available with bakellite, porcelaine and glass cover).
However, the porcelaine Schuko receptacle looks really weird! www.replicata.de

Tex:

Have you ever seen these types of surface mount switches?



These bring back childhood memories!!!

Originally they used to be made with a white porcelain base.

But now the entire device is made out of either Urea (ivory coloured), Bakelite (brown) in the case of Leviton.

Eagle makes theirs with a Melamine (white) base and either a Bakelite or Urea cover and toggle.

They usually go for about 2-4 dollars.

There is also a more heavy-duty (more expensive - from 7 to 10 dollars) variety available, although I've never seen it used anywhere.

It looks like this:


I also have a really old surface-mounted rotary switch. It was from a company called Diamond H and the cover is a paper lined brass cup on a porcelain base (about 3 inches in diameter!). It makes a loud KLAK noise when you turn the handle.

I don't think I want to hook that up anywhere...maybe one of these days I'll take pictures so you can see the guts.

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 11-21-2002).]

Hmmm, our Austrian friend might be interested in switches like these?



A pdf on the the range here:
http://www.lexel.se/ftp/MC1809SE_renova.pdf

(In Swedish, but Swedish is pretty much like German or English. )

Old turn - or rotary (?) - switches are rather common here. They often break, leaving you with a "freely" rotating knob. It still works OK, but you have to find the on (and off) position yourself.

[This message has been edited by C-H (edited 11-21-2002).]

Wow, these look nice.
Sven, I'd like to see some pics!
The fanciest switch I've ever seen was the Berker "Palazzo" range. Rotary switches, achat (some rather impressing green-brown grey stone, don't know it's english name) cover with a brass border and with brass handle. Guess they cost a fortune.
The switches made of porcelaine and brass were the really old ones. I've got a picture of one installed around 1924.

I know these broken rotary switches. We had one in our basement, probably because debris from above fell into the switch (no bushing).
Takes some sensible trying to get them working!
That's why they're so rare by now.

Wow! Palazzo is really something. Never seen anything like it. I'm afraid I will never own a home where I can have anything like this: You need a palace...





According to Berker's site, it's "only" €99 plus VAT.

So that's what the name stands for!
I've seen them displayed at an electrician's in the neighborhood. However, I think the Schuko receptacles must look rather weird.

*gasp* only??????