This was found in an office building in Boston on Tremont Street!

Looks like it is still in operation and the break glass is gone!

[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 02-01-2003).]

Weren't the hooks on the right side once intended for a small chained-on hammer?

Joe;
This is a gag, isn't it? My grandma's house was full of these 1910-era "emergency shutoff switches". These switches seem to be making a comeback in new houses built in a victorian style. These devices were nearly indestructible. I have several of these in my collection.

Mike (mamills)

Yes, the chain and hammer are missing and the glass was broken. No joke here this is for real.

How is that thing any different from a regular wall switch?

The electric switches used to shut off the oil burners...are they just normal switches in a red box or is there something else to them?

What is this the "shutoff" to?

I will have to go back to that location soon to check, but it probably was for the "AC Electric Service" or maybe the heating system, which may be a oil burner.

Is this connected to a shunt trip main?

if so, many gas stations would have similar EM disco's.....