GPO Portable Volt Meters - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

noble kiwi · 4th Nov 2011, 7:39 am

Interesting information. As I mentioned previously, the history of this universal design interests me. The fact that one could be purchased so cheaply 60 years ago, surely indicates that at that time it had become redundant and was offered as surplus equipment. But on second thoughts I recall just how much 2/6d could pay for, at that time in my life.

I wonder when they were first introduced, and when they actually became redundant. It would appear that this was a long lived and therefore a significant piece of test gear.

DAVEHALL · 4th Nov 2011, 3:02 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Station X

When I joined Post Office Telephones in 1967 many engineers liked to use the Detector No.4 in preference to a multimeter. It was always called a "clock" though.

We referred to it as Detecter No 4 ,though .Great for finding HR faults ,as it was a very low ohm/volt meter ( somewhere about 500/volt -but it's over 40years since I last saw one).Great to use on the old manual exchanges to find things like dicky cords .Other meter of the period was the SA tester .Only blokes with radio ( this place was up north with VHF links to the Inner Hebries) got an AVO as well .

grampy2 · 8th Nov 2011, 8:51 pm

Writing about this has reminded me that many years ago when I was trying to find out more I saw a reference in a book to an AC adaptor which attached to the 10 Ma terminals and allowed measurement of (I think) 5 and 50 volts AC This was supplied with the No 4 and was about the same size.

4th Nov 2011, 7:39 am	#21
noble kiwi Pentode Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Auckland New Zealand Posts: 175	Re: GPO Portable Volt Meters Interesting information. As I mentioned previously, the history of this universal design interests me. The fact that one could be purchased so cheaply 60 years ago, surely indicates that at that time it had become redundant and was offered as surplus equipment. But on second thoughts I recall just how much 2/6d could pay for, at that time in my life. I wonder when they were first introduced, and when they actually became redundant. It would appear that this was a long lived and therefore a significant piece of test gear.

8th Nov 2011, 8:51 pm	#23
grampy2 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Nottingham, Notts. UK. Posts: 43	Re: GPO Portable Volt Meters Writing about this has reminded me that many years ago when I was trying to find out more I saw a reference in a book to an AC adaptor which attached to the 10 Ma terminals and allowed measurement of (I think) 5 and 50 volts AC This was supplied with the No 4 and was about the same size.