JDSchlueter

I assume you are talking about a padmount transformer?

The tipoff is that the relays are Honeywell Brand. (Think heating and cooling controls..) Those are 24v heat relays. They allow 240 V baseboard heaters to be controlled by a standard low voltage thermostat. The transformer in that box is providing the 24 volt circuit for the relays. The units in your picture appear to control two circuits each. Many times relays like that are not really relays, but bimetallic time delay switches that use a small heater that operates on 24 volts to cause the bimetallic strip to flex and thus close the 240 volt contacts. This allowed a slight delay when the thermostat calls for heat, and allows the unit to be almost dead silent. The general principle of a relay is still the same.

What did the breakers look like? Were they similar to the "1'' Westinghouse style" breakers? I remember seeing a small fusebox in a garage that was branded Zinsco/ American switch.

I actually have 2 power strips that are made exactly like that. Funny thing is that the plug and the power strip itself are rated ''110 V 15 A" The cord is 16 ga.. Thing was imported from Japan and quite old. I would assume that the power tap in the pic is from the same manufacturer.

A few more reasons why it is wrong: Take a look at NEC 200.9. It says that a white wire (grounded) is to be attached to a white colored screw. Connecting the load side of the circuit to the screw shell base would be considered a hot conductor.[:-thumbd] Also, take a look at the rating of a lamp socket. They are rated at 660 W. That is 5.5 A @ 120 V. If I was to be using a lamp socket for as a fuseholder with a 15 amp fuse installed like in the picture and "protecting" a branch circuit, I would be overloading the socket. If you look at a "buss door fuse holder" they are rated at 15 A. A fuseholder in a fused panelboard is rated 30 A (Edison Base) Also, Show me in the code book where it says that I need to protect the doorbell transformer with a 3 A fuse. We have been installing them right into a KO in the panelboard itself, and pigtailing it to a 15 A circuit for many years.

That is definitely a neon sign transformer. Typically, there is a cover on that box. This is something that you see in a business, not in someone's kitchen.[?]

No. The NEC doesn't touch the subject. It's just one of those things that a little forethought and planning could have avoided. That and someone was too cheap.

For how old that receptacle is, it looks to be in pretty good shape yet. Most of them are usually paint globbed or broken, or both...

What is the brand of the loadcenter? I see a mix of Bryant, Siemens, Murray, GE. I don't think any panel is listed to accept all those different brands. Just my opinion.

I would say that it should say "sunlight resistant" or something to that effect on the sheath. If if doesn't, it probably isn't. ~Justin

I will guess either "Federal'' or maybe General switch.