Porcelain 'Suicide Switch' With 'Monkey Tail'

By Mike Parker; posted October 21, 2009

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Here is the dreaded GE 2500 volt standard cutout used in the old days. I say 'dreaded' because most linemen hated them. They would have to grab the knob on the bottom and pull out the 'knife' or 'tongue' to disconnect the cutout. When under load it would cause a big scary arc flash. This part contained the fuse wire, which was replaceable. Note the loop of wire tied on the knob, which a Mountain States Power lineman years ago called a 'monkey tail'. This would make them feel a little safer because they didn't have to actually touch the switch. The top of the unit, with the wire groove is actually to be used as an insulator to tie a lead wire to the cutout to. The linemen had various names for this switch, such as 'suicide switch', 'knucklebuster', 'widowmaker' and one racially incorrect one referring to how the top looked! They are getting fairly collectible today...take a look at Bob Scafe's collection.

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