UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post - AC-DC Live Chassis Receivers in the Antipodes

paulsherwin · 7th Sep 2019, 9:48 am

The climate may be a factor. Much of Australia is very dry, or at least has prolonged dry periods. This will result in difficulties with earthing provision. This doesn't apply to the same extent in NZ, but they may have simply followed Australian practice.

Most UK domestic plugs were polarised by the 50s (either BS546 or BS1363) and while there would have been miswired plugs and sockets, there wouldn't have been enough to be significant. It's true that much of Europe used non polarised Europlugs for appliances though.

Overhead distribution was indeed very rare in the UK in urban areas, though you did (and still do) find it in rural villages.

7th Sep 2019, 9:48 am	#26
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,987	Re: AC-DC Live Chassis Receivers in the Antipodes The climate may be a factor. Much of Australia is very dry, or at least has prolonged dry periods. This will result in difficulties with earthing provision. This doesn't apply to the same extent in NZ, but they may have simply followed Australian practice. Most UK domestic plugs were polarised by the 50s (either BS546 or BS1363) and while there would have been miswired plugs and sockets, there wouldn't have been enough to be significant. It's true that much of Europe used non polarised Europlugs for appliances though. Overhead distribution was indeed very rare in the UK in urban areas, though you did (and still do) find it in rural villages.