Two-pin mains plug type?

[GW4FRX]

The attached photo shows the switched and unswitched mains sockets on the rear panel of a Radford SC.24 control unit. They are marked 'McMurdo England' and the blades are 0.5in apart. The sockets themselves measure 35 x 23mm.

I have a vague memory of sockets like these being found on other amplifiers of the period but there seems to be no information readily available. Can anyone identify the associated plug type and suggest a possible source?

[Cobaltblue]

These what your thinking of ?

https://www.worldstandards.eu/electr...nd-sockets/ab/

Cheers

Mike T

[Nickthedentist]

Are these not perhaps the ubiquitous American-style sockets which accept standard, readily-available American (etc.) plugs?

EDIT: Crossed with Mike

[winston_1]

Originally Posted by Cobaltblue

These what your thinking of ?

https://www.worldstandards.eu/electr...nd-sockets/ab/

Cheers

Mike T

Not quite. Those are polarised ones with one pin wider than the other so won't fit. A bodge would be to file off the 'pips'. They are standard American Nema 1-15p unpolarised plug

https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/NorthAm1.html

[paulsherwin]

I would be a bit wary of using bog standard Nema connectors at 240V.

[RojDW48]

My favourite pre-amp! I think I can spare one of those plugs if you need it.

[snowman_al]

I agree with Paul.
Anything that I repair has the connections removed.
Illegal in todays world...

[GW4FRX]

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

Are these not perhaps the ubiquitous American-style sockets which accept standard, readily-available American (etc.) plugs?

I wondered about that but for some reason had it in my head that the standard NEMA 1-15 was polarised, which appears not to be the case. Every day a schoolday

Presumably the idea of the switched socket is to make the associated power amplifier remotely switchable by the control unit and the unswitched sockets provide power to an associated tuner or turntable. Did other manufacturers do the same?

[nutteronthebus]

they are also used on the back of Quad 33 and are as rare as hens teeth . I have acquired 3 quad 33 scrap units and have remover 2 sockets for my own use and have 1 spare as I am away for a week in wet windy Spain if you have no luck give me a PM after that time if still in need

Dave

[Nickthedentist]

Originally Posted by GW4FRX

Presumably the idea of the switched socket is to make the associated power amplifier remotely switchable by the control unit and the unswitched sockets provide power to an associated tuner or turntable. Did other manufacturers do the same?

Yes, it was very common. My Leak Delta 70 certainly had the same arrangement.

Idler wheel turntable and tape recorder instruction manuals often had warnings reminding users not to connect them via a switched socket on the amplifier, to prevent flat-spots on idlers occurring if the power was disconnected while the mechanism was still engaged.

[paulsherwin]

Originally Posted by GW4FRX

I wondered about that but for some reason had it in my head that the standard NEMA 1-15 was polarised, which appears not to be the case. Every day a schoolday

Both the plugs and sockets can be polarised or unpolarised. It seems to be a very loose standard.

[winston_1]

In the US and Canada all old unpolarised sockets should be replaced. Unpolarised plugs are still found in moulded version on double insulated gear. I believe rewireable plugs should be polarised.

Although used at 120v in US/Canada, they are used at 220v in much of South America so should be no problem.

[petertheorgan]

also seen on rear of leak stereo 30s and 70s
I use mine all the time to feed the matching tuner
I would not be worried about using them at all but you do need to be aware and treat them with respect

[GW4FRX]

Originally Posted by nutteronthebus

they are also used on the back of Quad 33 and are as rare as hens teeth

And yet they're basically a NEMA 1-15 connector, so presumably they shouldn't be.

Many thanks to everyone who came up with suggestions and answers. I'll probably use the switched outlet for its intended purpose but with a careful eye on the earthing arrangements!

[emeritus]

The flat we rented for a holiday in the Costa Brava in the early 1970's used the US 2 pin plug as a 10A connector for the 220VAC immersion heater. The other sockets in the flat took the 4mm pin diameter European-gauge 2 pin plugs. Both types of plug , plus other types, were on sale in a local shop.

[vidjoman]

These plugs, moulded with 2m of cable attached, are available from CPC. £1.98 inc VAT. Rated 350 volt.

[Herald1360]

There are some truly awful cheap ones about (mainly due to poor/non existent strain relief arrangements) but if you avoid those they're no more dangerous than the old UK two pin connectors.

[snowman_al]

I hope you do not mind if I alter your statement,
''but ... they're as dangerous as the old UK two pin connectors.''

Problem is because of the small size and lack of pin insulation it is much easier to touch one of the prongs by accident. Maybe ok for 117 volts, but not so good for 240 volts. Sighs...

Alan

[Boater Sam]

Millions in use in the East, Thailand, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam etc.
Mostly on 230v too.

The piles of electrocuted citizens in the streets are a scandal............not.

[snowman_al]

Really?