Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Hello there,
I was just wondering if anyone out there is or knows of anyone who is a plug collector, this is because i am one and just wanted to see if there were any others, i am already aware of people such as boombox deluxe.
Any replies are well apreciated.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Hi,
I wouldn't consider myself a 'collector' as such, but plugs & sockets have always fascinated me since childhood.(A Freudian thing, perhaps?)
I have a lot of them that came to France with me; 15, 13, 5 and 2 amps. Three pin and two pin, plus several Wylex and DS types.
Cheers, Pete.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Not a collector, but I just happen to have a few.
Do you need one like this? This fella needs a mate :D

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I have a habit of taking old plugs off new editions to my collection if they don't have insulated pins, which also allows me to make sure they are wired up properly & have the correct fuses. I've only only once found anything untoward, & that was just a loose screw on a pin.

Before I started doing that I managed to get a few plugs from my parents house, probably when everything started to come with a fitted plug & my Dad's stash of spare plugs was no longer needed.

I'll have to upload a more up to date picture of them, I've only got a picture of the first few at the moment.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Nice collection far bigger than mine!

My collection, although small, includes BS 1363 (sleeved and unsleeved pin), BS 546(5 amp only at the mo) and finally, a bayonet light plug
Here is my collection:

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I'm not a plug "collector" as such but am always fascinated by the unusual, like the low-profile "Legrand/BICC" types and the pastel-blue 'Rock' plug I mentioned on this forum a while back.

And the range of unusual coaxial connectors always fascinates me - WWII-era Pye-plugs, strange Western-Electric and General-Radio "Hermaphrodite" types used on test-gear and early multiplexed phone-circuits, and MUSA connectors.... or the little-documented "Pattern 12" UK connector that was used in the 1950s in a bunch of RACAL gear.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

If you enter "unusual plug" in the search box for this web site, you will find at least one closed thread about old plugs. While not a collector, I have accumulated a few old/odd ones: wooden BC adaptors and 2-pin plugs, a SBC adaptor in black Bakelite, a BC plug with an earth connection (which thanks to this forum I now know is of faulty manufacture and incomplete), and a brass BC lampholder for pins at 45 degrees to the contacts for example.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Those Electrak plugs have been around since the mid 1980s , and there are at least three types that look similar but don't fit each others socket. I have examples of two types.

As I recall, when they came out there was a suggestion in the press that they might replace the BS1363 plug, but I can't find eny evidence to back that up.

I do know of one building that was rewired exclusively using Electrack wall sockets, it was on the Granada TV site in Manchester, it wasn't a technical building, more offices and conference areas.

It was a total fail!

Nobody put Electrak plugs on their equipment. Instead, what happened is the site electricians made up hundreds of short cables with an Electrak plug at one end and a BS1363 socket at the other.

Tesco Morrison's and Asda have used them for EPOS and other IT equipment, Morrison's using a different type to the other two.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I've seen somewhere online a Electrak with Sainsbury's badging, probably for tills & other in-store equipment.

A few places open to the public seem to use non-standard electrical connections, especially if there's a specialist supply someone otherwise might try to connect to.

The London Underground use Walsall connections for maintenance equipment that needs a 110v balanced supply.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

What's a Walsall plug or socket? I had to search the forums, and here's just a few threads about different mains plugs:
Walsall cooker wall switch with kettle plug
Strange plugs & sockets at Lewis's Liverpool
Fitall plug bin it sell it save it

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

There is also sockets to collect too.
Brown BS1362 are not all that common.
Those small footprint sockets were not around for long either.
I found a big load of sockets just after I had ordered some on line but bought them anyway as you do.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I have to confess that I have got ( and use) a large collection of vintage plugs and sockets , also w have a fairly large collection on display at the vintage wireless and television museum at Dulwich , feel free to arrange a visit
regards
Peter

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Image a standard 13A plug with all three pins rotated 90 degrees. that's a Walsall guage plug.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Hi Tom.

Also not a plug collector, just really fascinated reading about them, and seeing pictures. There are a couple of threads (possibly more!) on here that are well worth searching out.

No idea how to create a link, so I've taken screenshots instead to show you the titles.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Not a collector per se but I try to accumulate as many old, UK made plugs as possible as they eclipse most of the tat produced now. I like to use good plugs on my stuff! I did however, pickup a really nice Grelco shaver adaptor recently, in White, it even still has it's original Grelco fuse!

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I only collect early porcelain plugs etc. Difficult to find now.
Note the lovely knurling on the plugs.

I never remove the old wire as that is part of their history.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Nice! The items in the bottom row look identical with the " cut-outs" shown in the 1911 GEC catalogue. That catalogue shows similar china plugs with annular ridges rather than dimples, and they didn't do a two-way BC adaptor like yours with the sockets at an angle.

I do have some early 13A surface mounting sockets where the contacts are in a china housing, but the china is completely covered by the Bakelite cover. I also have a china 15A switched socket, late 1930's, that I removed when I rewired my house. Looks like a large surface-mounted tumbler switch with the socket horizontally on top. Unfortunately the Bakelite got damaged when removing it due to seized screws.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Hi, I have at least three medium sized boxes full of various types of mains plug and socket, including Wylex and Dorman & Smith types. As a youngster I seemed to amass a collection gradually as folk who lived in our village were rewired and passed the sockets that were replaced to "the lad who messes about with that sort of stuff".
Unfortunately my original collection was lost in a number of house moves however I have managed to obtain nearly all of the same ones as I had from car boot sales, eBay etc.
I really should post some pictures on here, I'm not in a position to do so at present though.

Andrew

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Hi I have a small collection of plugs 2 amp 5 amp and 15 amp also in 2 and 3 pin versions I have and use a 5 amp 2 pin socket which is used to supply some colored lights in my disco room at home its supplied via a VT made 13 to 5 amp adaptor the other plugs are used in my shack for my test gear

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Just the one at this time, Crabtree.
Possible locked into the socket by the on/off switch.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

That might be quite sensible on a DC supply.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

More than 2 Pete and it Is a collection!

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

WOW, I did not expect this thread to blow up like this, I was astonished when I saw 21 replies!
This website is amazing, thanks for all of the replies, I have been wondering if there were any other eccentrics out there that had a collection (for want of a better word),thanks for the replies!
Tom

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Hospitals use a modified BS1363 with a T shaped Earth pin for critical equipment to prevent "normal" plugs being inserted.

Peter

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Sorry if I'm missing something here, Peter, but wouldn't a 'normal' plug still fit into the modified socket you describe?

Surely it's the modified plug that wouldn't fit into a 'normal' socket?

I'm probably wrong! I've puzzled over this so much this morning, that I am starting to doubt myself ??? :-/

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Yes it suits Crabtree interlocking sockets, one is shown in the attached photo. It's the polished brass one and a plug is shown with it. A nice idea but the sockets only accept Crabtree interlocking plugs, normal plugs will not allow the socket to be switched on. Similarly if you put one of the Crabtree interlocking plugs in a normal socket it will get stuck on most socket shutter mechanisms, and will remain permanently jammed in the socket. If the socket can't be dismantled the socket will likely need to be destroyed to remove the plug.

The MK non standard plug earth pin is shorter than a standard 13A plug pin, so standard plugs won't fit. If you are really determined you can file down the top of a standard plug pin to make them fit, all the other dimensions are the same.

I prefer sockets to plugs, some are shown attached. 3 are interlocking, though sadly the vertical one has had most of the interlocking mechanism removed, and the brown MK for some reason has had part of the mechanism modified so the socket can be switched on without a plug inserted, it still locks the plug in place though, and the design means no special plug is needed.

Edit: Sorry that photo isn't of good quality...

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I confess I have a few and light switches too. I still have to find a few of the white dolly switches and a few of the French and German 1920 to 1940's ones.

Regards, Robin.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I was once the "proud owner" of one of these locking plug/socket combinations, I seem to recall it came from the home of one of my great Aunts after they were rewired.
As mentioned earlier I lost a number of these in various house moves.

Andrew

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Here are some modern plugs and sockets from my Far Eastern travels.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

It could be a replacement!

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I have got my very own Big Clive Chinese Deathdapter!

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I know-not who made this "metalclad" socket but it sits on the wall beside the back door to my kitchen and gets regular use powering angle-grinders, belt-sanders and similar powertool-stuff-I-don't-want-to-use-in-the-house.

In winter, via an 'arctic grade' extension-lead it feeds a 3Kw thermostatic fan-heater in the footwell of my Land-Rover - so even if mornings are frosty the car's always nice-and-toastily-warm when I need to go out!

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

That is a Lewden socket, a matching plug was made that was held on with a threaded ring to keep out the rain. I have the modern version outside my house.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

It's an indictment on the variable quality of modern 13A plugs that i feel the need to retain any older MK ones that come my way. They inspire confidence in me, sleeved pins or not.

Dave

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Somewhere I've got a screw-down "Clang/Niphan" plug in the same overall style/casing as my outdoor 13A socket.

Alas the Niphan is a 15A round-pin one.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I have the socket and plug.
Attachment 183254 Attachment 183255 Attachment 183256
It's very fiddly thread the wires into those deep channels...
Attachment 183257
...But I've just noticed if you undo the central screw the retaining ring comes off and all of the brass-ware pulls out. If only I knew that 40 years' ago.
Attachment 183258

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Has anyone still got a Fitall plug?
Back in the day, it was the plug-of-choice for field techs to have on their irons.

It didn't fit the Wylex sockets I encountered frequently though.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

The Engineers friend. The Pargo. Used on my Weller gun for many years would fit all our local plugs including 3Z and N MK sockets.... I will find one of mine and post photograph later.

Bob.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Photographs.

Bob

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

You're lucky to have both - also you're lucky that your socket has the little chain that retains the screw-on cover. My little chain was absent when I bought the house. I thought of making something up using a bath-plug chain but I'm not sure if chrome-plating would look right in the situation.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Hi, Jolly7.

I'm intrigued by that Thai Panasonic picture.

Is it a three gang extension lead, with one socket in the end, and two on top? What if you needed to plug something into it that required an earth connection?

Perhaps (very likely!) I am being really thick, and not seeing something obvious! Apologies, if so :-/ :)

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

While the Japanese follow the US NEMA wiring scheme, there is no earthing available in their residences.
IIRC, they're starting to provide earthing in all new construction using NEMA 5-15, 125 volt devices.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I'm still a bit baffled. How do Thai/Japanese people not get electrocuted when a fault occurs?

I know it's 'only' 125 volts, but surely it's still dangerous.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

In Japan some high power devices have an earth cable that screws onto an earthing post.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

That seems - and looks- a bit hit and miss.

Very untidy, too.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

@Lancs Lad : You are correct. The Panasonic extension lead has two flat pin sockets on the top and one on the side. I have the original packing for the lead and it comes with extensive instructions but unfortunately in Japanese, which I cannot read. It does come with some pictures and other information. I will post these here later for those who might be interested.
The lead is very well built with safety markings on the cable, perhaps similar to BSI standards. I was able to open it and take a look inside. There is no provision for earthing and no fuse but the wire is high quality copper. So it would not pass UK safety standards but maybe acceptable in Japan for use with limited devices.
I don't exactly remember whether they had an earth pin in the hotels but they must have had because there were hairdryers in the room :-)

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Somewhere. Not thought well of around here, but handy if assembled properly. Better than the bare wire trick!

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

I think you will find that hairdryers are class II appliances these days.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

Here's my collection with some new additions.

I was pleased to get an Ashley plug on my Binatone TV, my Gran used to have a lot of these around her house on various appliances.

I once asked why she had so many, & she said she bought a box of them from Curry's years before.

Re: Any other plug collectors out there?
 

As far as I remember the Japanese supply system uses a centre tapped earth at the point of distribution so that either terminal of a socket is only 62.5 volts above earth. Still not ideal but safer than 125 volts.

Al