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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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29th Nov 2019, 2:08 pm | #1 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Margate, Kent, UK.
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Any ideas on what this would used on
Hi all
anybody got any ideas on what this 240vac current test plug would be used on and how it's supposed to work. Stumped me! Like to try it out. Cheers Chris |
29th Nov 2019, 2:14 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK.
Posts: 3,601
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
Looks like one of those things that service departments would give apprentices to plug in.
Is there actually anything inside the sleeving or are the ends just connected together? Peter |
29th Nov 2019, 2:46 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
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Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
Looks like a " Little Wonder" fuse tester to me.
Dyeing trousers, perhaps?
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29th Nov 2019, 3:20 pm | #4 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bath, Somerset, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
Perhaps it plugs into a test panel and a current clamp meter is fed through the loop.
Neil
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29th Nov 2019, 3:21 pm | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Margate, Kent, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
No it's just connected in a loop and just says on bit paper stuck on wires to test ac current 240v. Not sure what the grey bit for as there is no wire exposed as I thought maybe you put a clip on it or something.
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29th Nov 2019, 4:24 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
I've seen similar things used as a primitive safety-interlock: the matching socket would be wired in series with the live side of the supply to a piece of gear/installation/panel. The plug acts as a shorting-link; you remove it and take it with you when you need to do work on the panel. Using an obscure plug/socket in such applications reduces the chance of someone-else kludging together a bypass - the US 2-flat-pin plugs/sockets are rather handy for this sort of thing.
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29th Nov 2019, 4:39 pm | #7 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Margate, Kent, UK.
Posts: 1,728
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
So is it used on valve gear and why would you need to create a short circuit? Or is it that you bypass the mains on piece of equipment so you can work on different parts components.
When you say panel do you mean the chassis? Dumb questions which I think you answered. Cheers Chris |
29th Nov 2019, 5:54 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
It'd be wired in series with the [mains] power-supply to a piece of equipment; with the plug/link in-place, power is applied to the equipment. Remove the plug/link and the power is cut off, and you can take the link away with you to prevent anyone else restoring the power while you're working on the equipment (as could happen with a simple switch).
[If an isolating switch is used then it should have some mechanism for a padlock-and-tag to be fitted to prevent anyone unauthorised from re-applying power] By "panel" I mean something like an industrial control-panel or the contactors/switchgear in something like a lift or heavy machinery. |
29th Nov 2019, 7:54 pm | #9 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Margate, Kent, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
Ah I see simple but effective.
Thanks for that. Much appreciated Chris |
29th Nov 2019, 9:08 pm | #10 | |
Moderator
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Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
Why would a shorting link require such a long length of wire attached to it?
Quote:
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
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29th Nov 2019, 9:19 pm | #11 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
I would tend to agree with Neil that it's for a clamp meter, especially as the label states "to test ac current 240v". The grey plastic is probably to prevent the wire being damaged accidentally by the clamp.
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29th Nov 2019, 9:26 pm | #12 |
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
That makes sense.
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
29th Nov 2019, 10:00 pm | #13 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
Quote:
[The same sort-of approach is used in the 'kill-switch' lanyards on powerboarts/jetskis which kill the engine if you fall off] |
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30th Nov 2019, 11:37 am | #14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
Its got an exceedingly old 2 pin 5a plug on it so I would think its dated to the '50s if not the '40s.
Peter |
30th Nov 2019, 12:15 pm | #15 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Margate, Kent, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
Thanks for replies guys in effect it's just a safety feature as far as I can make out from replies it is connected in series with mains and if removed renders the equipment non usable if you tried to plug it in that's what I can make out. I'm not sure I'll get round to use it as it was obviously for an electrical engineer as mentioned from 40s 50s. Just interesting when you come across gear like this having no idea what it was used for.
Cheers Chris |
30th Nov 2019, 1:56 pm | #16 |
Heptode
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Heysham, Lancashire, UK.
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Re: Any ideas on what this would used on
The long wire may be just to get the clamp meter in a more convenient place. There may have been a much shorter wire, or even a shorting plug to avoid having the long wire dangling about in normal operation.
Stuart |