Good idea to revive some old threads from time to time so that our newer members see them.
This installation had night-storage heaters, so there had to be at least two distribution panels. The top unit is the main panel feeding most of the regular circuits in the house. The small two-way consumer unit below and to the left of the main panel was an addition for a couple of extra circuits.
It wasn't at all unusual in older properties to find extra panels like this added when the need arose rather than a replacement unit big enough to take all circuits. Around here, they're typically added to run an electric shower.
The remaining panel below and slightly to the right of the main panel is energized only during the nighttime to charge the heaters.
The unit to the right of the meter is a PoCo-owned radio-teleswitch which switches the meter to its low tariff and simultaneously closes a contactor to apply power to the heating panel (usually Midnight-7am winter, 1am-8am summer).
On the fuse carriers, we don't have apertures on the front for testing with a voltmeter. The Wylex cartridge fuse carriers pictured above have a small hole in the front centered over where the fuse goes to enable you to see (a) that a fuse is actually fitted, and (b) the rating of that fuse (which you can tell by the color of the body).
[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 08-23-2003).]
