ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Photos for General Discussion Fuse Box Violations

The two cables in the lower left corner are 12/2 romex, but an older type. They are tapped off of the main and paralleled for the 30A AC Unit which at least has a disconnect to protect it The other cables are a cloth covered romex and has no ground wire.

looks like a nice sized gap in the drywall around the panel

Those "dust flowers" growing on the terminals really add a nice touch.

At least the pullout on the top right seems to be off.

Actually, in one important respect, this installation does not meet 1905 Code, because the neutrals aren't fused.

I don't have a 1905 Codebook, although I do have a fairly detailed textbook from 1908 that gives a good idea of the NEC at that time. (I do have a 1923 NEC.)

I think it's fairly safe to assume that terminating branch circuit conductors on the line side of the service disconnecting means (and of any overcurrent protection whatsoever) has always been a violation. The same seems to be true of flexible cords used in place of a fixed wiring method.

If you want to go back before the 1897 NEC (the first edition ever), Edison installed fuse wire on each conductor of ceiling rosettes to protect the pendant cord. I don't know when this requirement was dropped, but by 1908 it was actually forbidden, as melting fuse wire was known to have started a few fires.

That and fused neutrals! They sure were serious about overcurrent protection in those days!

Sounds like one of the ideas which belongs in the category titled "It seemed like a good idea at the time, but...."