Foreign Insulators
by Marilyn Albers
Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", October 1993, page 12
FOREIGN INSULATORS AND THEIR GO-WITHS
Part I - "Some Signs of a True Collector"
Since the use of electricity is universal, telecommunication and electrical
warning signs are used in every part of the world. It seems that they have
become very collectible, not only in themselves, but for the interest they add
when used as "go-withs" for an insulator collection. Before I go any
further, let me assure you that I am not suggesting that you go out and steal signs, or
risk your life in doing so. These signs were strategically placed to warn people
of the danger from electrical shock. They were never intended to be removed and
they were certainly never meant to become collectibles! Be that as it may, many
of these signs are in circulation at shows, in displays and on sales tables. It
would be nice to think that none were foolishly removed while in use, but were simply salvaged from power company scrap heaps or downed poles out in
the country, and that you are all paying rapt attention! Having said that, let's
proceed.
Arabic "UNDERGROUND TELEPHONE CABLE"
In the 20 years I have been collecting insulators (most of them spent
concentrating on those from outside North America), I have managed to gather over 50 signs representing several
different countries. The foreign languages are fascinating, but even if one
couldn't understand a word, the lightning bolt and skull with cross bones
definitely convey the message of DANGER. It was difficult deciding which of the
signs to share with you, but I think those I have chosen are a pretty good cross
section of the entire collection.
Australian "N.S.W." is New South Wales.
British "V R" is Victoria Regina, or (by order of) Queen Victoria.
This cast iron is curved to fit the telegraph pole.
Czech "HIGH TENSION - DANGER TO LIFE WHEN
TOUCHING ELECTRICAL WIRE
THOUGH FALLEN
TO THE GROUND!" This sign is also curved.
(Top) "DANGER TO LIFE - HIGH TENSION" (Dutch)
(Bottom) "DANGER"
(Spanish) "OF DEA TH" (Italian) "ELECTRICITY" (Spanish)
U.S.A. ELECTRICITY appears in three other languages:
"SÄHKÖÄ" (Finnish),
"ELEKTRIKA" (Czech or Slovakian), and
"ELETTRICITA" (Italian). This sign was used
in an area where workers did not speak English.
French "ELECTRICITY OF FRANCE -
(You are) ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN TO TOUCH
ANY
WIRES EVEN LYING ON THE GROUND -
DANGER OF DEATH"
German "BE CAREFUL -
HIGH VOLTAGE AREA -
NO ENTRANCE TO UNAUTHORIZED
PERSONNEL"
Italian "DANGER OF DEATH"
Polish "DON'T TOUCH! ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION"
Russian "HIGH VOLTAGE -
DANGEROUS TO LIFE TEL. 923-63-35"
Spanish "DANGER! HIGH VOLTAGE C F E 304"
(This would be Line #304 of
Compania ( Ferrocarriles
de Espana, or the Spanish Railway Company) .
Spanish (Majorca) This picture says it all!
Spanish (Majora) "DO NOT TOUCH - DANGER OF DEATH"
Many thanks to the following people for their help in translating the words
on these signs and the others in my collection: my daughter Margaret Albers
(Spanish), Gil Daoust (French), Miroslav Immer and Octavia Baca (Czech), Klaus
Gilbert and Marco Schmitz-LeHanne (German), Steve Ross of AE Translations Inc.
(Polish, Italian and Finnish), Laura Monckton (Dutch) and Don Fiene (Russian).
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