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brianc · 16th Jan 2009, 12:34 pm

The plugs with screw-in live pins you referred to were made by Dorman-Smith. The company still make switchgear. These plugs were used in the BBC up until at least the 1980s for technical power to prevent non-technical kit (vacuum cleaners etc.) being plugged into the circuits used for powering the program equipment as this could cause earth-neutral problems. Interestingly, the Wylex plugs were used, again by the BBC, as microphone connectors. This was, I believe, a hangover from the Savoy Hill days. I removed some from the BH TV studio many years ago.
Cheers
Brian

16th Jan 2009, 12:34 pm	#13
brianc Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Burghfield, Reading, Berkshire, UK, Posts: 1,055	Re: Old electrical fittings The plugs with screw-in live pins you referred to were made by Dorman-Smith. The company still make switchgear. These plugs were used in the BBC up until at least the 1980s for technical power to prevent non-technical kit (vacuum cleaners etc.) being plugged into the circuits used for powering the program equipment as this could cause earth-neutral problems. Interestingly, the Wylex plugs were used, again by the BBC, as microphone connectors. This was, I believe, a hangover from the Savoy Hill days. I removed some from the BH TV studio many years ago. Cheers Brian