Anyone know what this is.....

[The Ghost]

An analogue rotary switch 1-10v d.c. is my guess

 

[Lucien Nunes]

That could be highly dangerous. Some of those metal parts may not be earthed e.g. the knob. It probably also contains a PCB, and PCBs are toxic. I personally would not have it in my house, although only a competent person with suitable safety equipment should remove it. Do not take unnecessary risks with chrome-finished electrical accessories!

BTW if you find out what it is please let me know

 

[LankyWill]

That could be highly dangerous. Some of those metal parts may not be earthed e.g. the knob. It probably also contains a PCB, and PCBs are toxic. I personally would not have it in my house, although only a competent person with suitable safety equipment should remove it. Do not take unnecessary risks with chrome-finished electrical accessories!

BTW if you find out what it is please let me know

is that statement a wind up?

 

[telectrix]

is that statement a wind up?

obviously. but he didn't mention the asbestos in the fire retarding back box. that's far more dangerous.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Wind up? Just giving some helpful hints to the OP, and unlike some other replies that one sees on the forum I think you will find I did not make a single untrue statement there at all.

BTW the DNO have a responsibility for electrical safety. You could ring them and ask them to come and remove that thing with the knob. It is unlikely to contain asbestos, although if that is found then there are limitations on what work may be done by an unlcensed person. I personally have not installed any asbestos back-boxes but I am not saying they don't exist.

 

[telectrix]

i once though we has asbestos in our house, but it was just matted dog hair.

 

[GETWIRED]

Out of interest, pcb's are toxic? How?

 

[telectrix]

it's not printed circuit boards that are toxic. it's these buggers:

Polychlorinated biphenyl - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenyl

 

[HandySparks]

it's not printed circuit boards that are toxic. it's these buggers:

Polychlorinated biphenyl - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenyl

Lucien must have been referring to the large liquid-cooled transformer screwed to the back.