126D. Off Queen Street, Ilkeston Attached to the rear of a couple of adjacent buildings that front Queen Street, and in private ownership, are two Thorn Precinct bulkheads, and a Philips SXK 55 (MI 80) lantern, used for lighting the small shared car parking area that exists behind the premises. Whilst the Precincts could be 80 Watt MBF (mercury vapour) or 70 Watt SON (high pressure sodium), the SXK 55 runs a 55 Watt SOX (low pressure sodium) lamp. Both installations are likely to date from the early-mid 1980s, although the Precincts may even be from the 1970s, as one features an early 'white cone' Royce Thompson P5 photocell.
The two Precincts are positioned relatively closely together; albeit, at different heights.
The use of a photocell control is unusual with these fittings, owing to a lack of space to accommodate the NEMA socket.
Despite the fitting's age, the Precinct has weathered well, and whilst the bowl has yellowed, the discolouration is not severe.
A length of mineral-insulated cable enters the Precinct through the side. Whoever wired this up took some time and effort when doing so.
The other example is fitted to a small wall bracket, in order to position it on the approximate corner of the building. Two supply cables are present here, suggesting that this is first on the circuit, while the celled example is second. I had thought that the celled example would switch the other one, but with this wiring arrangement, this setup would not be possible.
I am not aware of the wall bracket being an official accessory for the Precinct, but it works well for this purpose.
Also of note on this wall was the Gent's of Leicester 'Tangent' electric bell.
The SXK 55 is positioned oddly on the wall opposite.
The reason for this is that the wall bracket is heavily misshapen - I am unable to be certain of whether this was done accidentally or deliberately.
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