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We used to bake mud pies on the transformer just like that in the summer heat at the apartments where I lived decades ago. We had no toys, so we were making due. Parents game out to yell at us to get away from it. But we never would stop. Eventually one of the fathers came out to make sure it was locked and safe and just let us carry on.
Eventually one of the fathers came out to make sure it was locked and safe and just let us carry on.
Yep. The certified Dad solution
The door locks, sure, and the entire thing is a good 200lbs+, but it’s often still just resting on top of the concrete pad. Kids probably can’t push it but an adult can probably hip check it an inch at a time.
Maybe a rider lawnmower bumps it and moves it 3 inches and now there’s a crevice between the concrete pad and the transformer that kids can reach into and grab high voltage power lines.
They ARE fairly safe, a lot of things have to go wrong, but bottom line it’s still something that will kill.
I’ve worked around them, and I never shooed or chastised any kids I saw playing on them. I’d just do a quick inspection with them, point out that it’s not crooked or bent or anything so they know what to look out for. I’d really prefer they didn’t play on it, but I get it
Why tf aren’t they bolted down?
Like this one a car crashed into
I couldn’t really tell you why, just that they aren’t typically bolted down.
Also, that’s a telecom crossbox in your photo. Here’s some lawn mowing site warning about the risk of hitting them and moving them:
https://www.iamuinformer.org/informer-news-feed/toolbox-talk-transformers-mowing
They ARE fairly safe, a lot of things have to go wrong
Well. Are they grounded? Because they look like any loose wire or even induction could make the stuff on the photo lethal. Not something common, but pretty clearly one single point of failure.
If they are grounded, it would also not be viable for an adult to push it around.
I’m just spitballing here, I have no clue, but they have a bunch of (used to be pretty toxic) oil inside these and maybe during any sudden impact, making it scoot a little is preferable to the thing busting open and spilling everywhere? Sort of like the telecom cabinet in the other photo that was secured to the ground and shattered when it was hit
I grew up in the 80s in a Southern California suburb. All the neighborhood kids used the transformer box as a meeting place. My first kiss was absolutely at one that looked really similar to this. I haven’t thought about Becky C. in decades.
Another transformer box story:
Before helicopter parenting was standard, folks used to let their kids wander around the neighborhood pretty much as soon as they could talk. All the kids watched each other. 12 year olds hanging out with 4 year olds. When I was part of the older kids group, we had convinced the younger kids (the ones that couldn’t yet read) that the transformer box was actually a trap that housed an electrical monster, thanks to this Mr. Ouch sticker:
I’m pretty sure the recent release of Ghostbusters had influenced this story and the acceptance of it.
Saaaaame, dude!
Thanks for this shot of nostalgia!
I always called it the big zappy monster, telling people in jest that merely touching the box would summon it. Had no idea it had a real name
Now I’m dressing up as Mr. Ouch for Halloween
Also what a banger
Its amazing nature be like it do.
We have one of these on my street
Look at this person with all their fancy electric lights.
I didn’t say I have lights.
Hello darkness, my old friend.
I bet most places with electricity do. My little post-Soviet hometown also had one near me.
Only if they have underground utilities. Otherwise the equivalent units are on poles.
we could sit on it and feel the vibrations as our lips touch!
maybe it would be a shocking experience
It would be electrifying for sure!
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Siemens everywhere
Shocking image
We used to hang out on the local transformer station. Was a nice brick box, much nicer than the box in the picture.
(Slightly nsfw)
