Fused connection unit question

[spuorgelgoog]

I've uploaded a picture of a fused connection unit.

Would the team like to take a guess what it's used for?

Owain

[tabbypurr]

I'm guessing it's used for making a fused connection.

NT

[Tim+]

You?ve not given us much to go on!

Okay, I?ll say mains powered vibrator in a brothel (hard wired to prevent removal).

Tim

[spuorgelgoog]

Have a think about where the wires go.

Have you just been watching Trucking Hell where the lady driver found the butt plug?

Owain

[Brian Reay]

It could be used for several things- one of those small heaters sometimes used in airing cupboards, a fixed electric radiator, a supply to a central heating control system, ......

We?ve got some switched ones which are for heater towel rails (they aren?t in the bathrooms).

[Roger Hayter]

It's a flex outlet for any appliance up to 13A. Or it could be used equally for another cable into the backbox. The only difference from a modern one is the the electrician is left to use his inititative for protective conductor contnuity. If it doesn't have a switch and this may be inappropriate for some purposes nowadays. But such fused connection units without a switch still have their uses. For instance, my lathe has such a fused unit and one of those two pole red button things to isolate it.

[Robin]

cooker connection unit?

PS did you forget to include the picture of the bent nail in the fuse carrier?

[Tricky Dicky]

No Earth connection

[tabbypurr]

Back then it was normal practice to just twist earth wires together.

NT

[PeterC]

Well, it'd be no good there if it were soft-wired!

[Brian Gaff]

Well print it out and it will stick over a small hole in the wall... Oh wait he means the thing in the picture, sorry, since I cannot see it... grin. Brian

[Brian Gaff]

Or outdoor Christmas lights like reindeer and santa on roof? Brian

[Brian Gaff]

I was tempted to think about that Monty Pythons sketch about the slaughter house with its rotating knives. Actually is there a big radar dish on the roof? Crabtree do a lot of control gear for starting up big motors on three phase supplies... Brian

[Brian Gaff]

As for twisting wires, Surely you would use heat shrink and solder the twisted wires first? Brian

[Andy Burns]

Joining non-mains cables, such as TV aerial or phone line?

[Brian Gaff]

So is he going to own up as to what it was?

Brian

[spuorgelgoog]

Close but no cigar.

It *is* a modern one. (Well, fairly modern. The logo dates it 1981-1991.)

Front view:

Earth-free locations, I presume.

Owain

[spuorgelgoog]

The first picture was a normal fused connection unit terminals side, but there is no earth connection or earth bar across the mounting holes.

The second picture was the front, with a BT logo, and text "This component has no earth terminal and must not be used where a protective earth is required". The faceplate screws are also non-metally (nylon?).

Owain

[Roger Hayter]

I think a company more single-mindedly pursuing profit might simply use a commodity FCU and not connect the earth terminal - they can always put a sticker on it, and you otherwise can't tell from the outside anyway (apart from the screws).

[Roger Hayter]

Wouldn't work too well for a flex outlet.