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Vintage Test Gear and Workshop Equipment For discussions about vintage test gear and workshop equipment such as coil winders. |
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12th Nov 2017, 12:17 am | #1 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
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Marconi test equip.: mains toggle switches
Specifically the orientation of such switches. I cannot recall any item of Marconi test equipment I've ever seen, manufactured from the 1950s until the mid 1980s (both dates approx.), in which the mains on/off toggle switch has not been fitted with the toggle orientated for 'down = on', 'up = off'. They have always been the other way round - which, of course, is the USA-style. So do I deduce from that that such equipment was either designed in the USA or was manufactured with the USA as the primary market for such products?
I don't need to know: just curious. (Aside: I appreciate the logic of the USA 'method'. If something falls under the attraction of gravity and hits the toggle when the item switched on, that item will then be switched off.) Al. |
12th Nov 2017, 2:37 am | #2 | |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tintinara, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 2,324
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Re: Marconi test equip.: mains toggle switches
Quote:
As to the first part of the post, I have no idea (maybe someone thumbing their nose at convention?). |
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12th Nov 2017, 9:25 am | #3 | |
Octode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 1,477
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Re: Marconi test equip.: mains toggle switches
Quote:
Other parts of the Marconi empire made test equipment in small quantities to support their radar and military comms. products, but I don't think that's what you are referring to.
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12th Nov 2017, 11:23 am | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,637
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Re: Marconi test equip.: mains toggle switches
Two posts deleted, please keep on topic
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12th Nov 2017, 11:31 am | #5 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Camberley, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 800
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Re: Marconi test equip.: mains toggle switches
A quick look at the Marconi kit, both test and broadcast confirms that up is the on position.! I have a lot of Marconi equipment in the collection.
I always understood the logic for this was, if the switch was accidentally knocked, it was safer to have the on in the up position as this is less likely to be knocked to the up position. Or some such argument. |
14th Nov 2017, 11:35 pm | #6 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,180
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Re: Marconi test equip.: mains toggle switches
One of their best selling products, the 995 series signal generators, has up is OFF. I mention that as in the Marconi Instrumentation magazines there are a few references as to 995s being used in the U.S. The TF144H series produced broadly at the same time are down is OFF.
Andrew
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