002.392.Idrija

Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Center, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Republika Slovenija

/

Daily life

The mercury switch for boiler (6A–230V) has the form of a tube, which is pointed on the front end and straightly fused on the rear end. It is filled with a small amount of mercury. On the bottom part of the tube, filled with mercury, two copper conductors are fused (+/–) and isolated in plastic packs. The conductor ends are in the form of a washer.

Length 9 cm, diameter 0.5 cm.

Glass, mercury, copper, plastic.

1960s

Manufacturer information is not known.

The mercury boiler switch was used for controlling warm water. Inside the switch there was a glass tube, filled with mercury. Heated water caused the tube to tilt and therefore the mercury shifted, which interrupted the electrical circuit. The boiler was switched off. When the line cooled down, the tube tilted on the other side and the electrical circuit was opened. The boiler was turned on. Years ago, every bathroom boiler had a switch of this type.

The mercury boiler switch is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the CUDHg Smelting Collection. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum display “From Ore to Mercury Drops” in the Hg Smelting Plant, which represents the characteristics and the versatile use of mercury in science, technology, medicine, culture and every day life. Within the exhibition the object is placed in the density segment and it represents the usefulness of mercury for technical devices.

Private use.

Hg Smelting Plant (From Ore to Mercury Drops), Arkova 50, SI-5280 Idrija

The mercury boiler switch is well preserved. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premise is taken care off.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- CUDHg Inventory Book.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

17. 3. 2018

Never