ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Electrical Nostalgia Frank Adam Panels?

Has anyone worked wih these panels?

I just went into a super market and found a room full of these still in use.





Bob

Hi Bob:
I have one of these Frank Adam panels (a smaller one, fortunately - 20 circuits, 120-240 volt single phase) in my collection of vintage electrical equipment. It was given to me by a friend on the occasion of demolition of an old country club building. A couple of the fuse sockets were nearly incinerated from the intense heat of overfusing/overloading for many years. I remember doing sound jobs in this old building and having to replace a burned out fuse every once in a while. You could literally feel the heat radiating out of this panel while standing four feet in front of it (even worse when the door was open... ). I'm amazed that there were never any fires resulting from the bad wiring in this place.

Aside from being deadly, the panel shown in your picture is a fascinating piece. Looks like 30 circuits distributed over three phases, with very small feeder conductors at that. Wonder what all the contactors at the bottom are for? The bussing arrangement beneath the fuse sections would be interesting to examine.

Are any of these panels labelled as to purpose/use? What kind of MDP is in use here?

I recently purchased a panel like this, made by Bulldog Electric Products Corp. These things, if given reasonably good care, were made to last to the end of time!

A very interesting picture!! Thanks for sharing it.

Mike (mamills)

[This message has been edited by mamills (edited 07-06-2004).]

I can recall punting a few of the single ph residential types in the dumpster in the past.

If memory serves, the switches simply defeated the fuses for no-load replacement

probably an archivist would be somewhat bothered by cavalier 'tude to some of these old gems

but imho, Frank should have stayed with the family brewery...

It's funny I thought of Sam Adams also.

Thanks Mike, It must be a design in these panels as I could feel the heat radiating off of the panels too.

If I remember all the equipment was Frank Adams including the service switch and a large fused switch panel with 100 and 200 amp positions.

Bob

I did some work in one of the Hospitals in Boston about 10 years ago. The panels were all Frank Adams. No fuses just curcuit breakers. I wish I had pictures. I remember them being a very odd design and the breakers verry expensive.

Ive never come across one of these here in CA.. I saw one once in in a major department store in NYC while I lived over there... Dead of winter, maybe it was the heat that drew my attention towards it

-Randy

PS... Speaking of heat, the fuse in Ckt #20's place looks like it's seen some!

FYI,

I just got an Email from a relative (of Frank Adam) saying hello, and that Frank Adam is now 92 and living in St. Louis.


Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 08-15-2004).]

Bill
That is pretty cool!
I have asked the guys around here to keep the weird things that they take apart or demo, I like to use them in class. About two months ago, a contractor brought me a Frank Adams panel he demoed, said he took his time and did it neat for me.
Sam Adams happens to be my favorite beer !!

Pierre

Pierre the panels pictured are very close to you, Tarrytown, right on Rt 9.

Perhaps a common panel for that area.

Bob

About 20 years ago, Frank Adam produced three-pole NEMA-3R 30- and 60-amp 250V “pullout” air-conditioner disconnects. Their 3-pole version seemed unique—and included all-copper current-carrying parts, and were about ¼ the price of a traditional equivalent-rated “XOP” disconnect switch.