Tell me what I’m looking at
The thing above is a transformer, I guess. Above that (not pictured) are three insulators with wires. But I’m interested in the thing in the middle – the X shape with the ring in the center. It’s made of metal. If it’s ornamental, it isn’t very and if it’s functional, I can’t think what the function is. Structural? Like, bracing?
As I was typing this, a squirrel climbed down our cobnut tree and began pinching cobnuts. We do not – and I can’t emphasize this enough – have squirrels in this part of Sussex. I’ve seen them in other, more wooded parts (mostly squashed in the road), but we’re an area of rolling sheep fields and a few scraggly thorn trees. We do NOT have squirrels.
Cheeky bastard. Now we know where our nuts went this year.
Posted: August 31st, 2026 under personal.
Comments: 8
Comments
Comment from The Neon Madman
Time: August 31, 2026, 8:25 pm
Bracing, to stiffen the poles and keep them from rocking independently side to side. Secondary function of helping to keep the poles straight, at a constant distance apart.
Comment from Uncle AL
Time: August 31, 2026, 10:14 pm
Mystery #1 — A big X? Did Elon Musk have something to do with this?
Mystery #2 — Why are there three chickens walking straight down the right hand utility pole?
Mystery #3 — Why is there a statue of Joe Stalin in the distance, bottom right? His silhouette is unmistakable, if I’m not mistaken.
Comment from Durnedyankee
Time: September 1, 2026, 12:33 am
Going with Neon Madman’s answer.
The circle would allow for them to tighten or lose bolts on the circle end to get alignments square, etc.
Uncle Al….please see me after class 😂
I’m pretty sure that is not Stalin, it’s one of knights who say Nee!
Comment from Uncle AL
Time: September 1, 2026, 2:20 am
@Durnedyankee — So, instead of using turn-buckles, the used turn-circle-pins like from high school? All I have to say about that is Ekke-Ekke-Ekke-Ekke Ptang Zoo Boing.
Comment from Some Vegetable
Time: September 1, 2026, 5:54 pm
Man, I hate these Rorschach tests. They always get me in trouble somehow.
Anyhow that device in the picture is clearly some hybrid-technology combination guillotine and electric chair thingie.
Comment from aelf
Time: September 1, 2026, 6:05 pm
It is often overlooked that, prior to his career in extreme pathology, young Victor Frankenstein worked his way through school as an electrical contractor.
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: September 1, 2026, 6:11 pm
Yes, those three things marching down the side are probably insulators of some kind, but they were weird. A lot of older British electrics are strange.
Comment from The Neon Madman
Time: September 1, 2026, 6:50 pm
“A lot of older British electrics are strange”
This is the land of Joe Lucas, after all.
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