Thursday, February 21, 2008

The Standards Change

Once early wiring requirements were established they were stringent, but the size of an individual home service and the subsequent loads were inadequate by today’s standards. A 30-amp service with a wood fuse box was typical and sufficient for running lights. Prior to electrification, many homes had gas lighting. Some wiring actually was fished through the gas piping in the walls to the new electric lights that replaced the old gas fixtures.

The turn of the century was a heady time in the field of electricity. Innovators and scientists were improving all the necessary components and generators as well as coming up with new gadgets and conveniences that would run on electricity. Even the newly built New York City subway systems were beholden to this great new power source.

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