Some of the vacant station houses were used by other businesses, including a convenience store and an electrical supplier, before finally being razed in the 1980s.

Canon, the Japanese office equipment and electrical suppliers, who put in £5million a year, want Mansell and Williams to get together again.

The Legislature could then gradually adjust all rates until forces of supply and demand allow complete deregulation of electrical suppliers.

And you can't just call up your local electrical supplier for parts.

Kits for grounding antennas are available from electrical and television suppliers.

"Be sure to call it EMT or the electrical suppliers will laugh at you," cautioned Gardiner.

Equipment for new installations is not commonly carried by electrical suppliers, although it is still possible to find parts for maintaining existing installations.

Some are small businesses: record shops, architects, electrical suppliers.

The most common cover, found in all five boroughs, bears the name of Consolidated Edison, the city's main electrical supplier.

Models from several manufacturers are already available in home supply stores or through electrical suppliers.