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Old 2nd Sep 2018, 10:57 pm   #1
Tom williams
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Default Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

Hello,
This plug was found on an old metamec mains clock, if anyone knows the manufacturer, please tell me as I am interested to know who it is.
The plug is pictured below:
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Old 2nd Sep 2018, 11:05 pm   #2
paulsherwin
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

That's a BS73/BS372 2 pin 5A plug, which were very common as late as the 70s. It has the same dimensions as the BS4573 UK shaver plug, though that has sleeved pins. It will fit a shaving adaptor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_pow..._related_types

I don't know the manufacturer of your plug, but that design was very popular for a while as it could be disassembled without tools, and the top cable entry was useful when the plug was used in a light socket adaptor. (Both of those attributes are deprecated today).
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Old 3rd Sep 2018, 8:22 pm   #3
teetoon
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

Hi. I thought it was made by Goltone and doing a quick google search and clicking on images confirms this.
They used to make a plug and 2 pin to bayonet adapter coupled by a piece of string like the design you have there. My Dad had a couple on his Solon soldering irons back in the 60's.
Actually, here they are and you can see the plugs still attached.

David.
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Old 3rd Sep 2018, 8:36 pm   #4
hannahs radios
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

I've got one of those irons but mine's fitted with a 5 amp 3 pin plug on the effect of the plug I got one like it. I think it's made by Clix but I'll check again tomorrow when I go into the workshop.
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Old 3rd Sep 2018, 9:06 pm   #5
teetoon
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

Perhaps I should mention that my Dad fitted those plugs as Irons didn't come with a plug fitted. These adapters were useful in that most houses still had round pin sockets and if no socket was available there was nearly always a light fitting or table lamp. Useful when out in the field as it were.

Also I include a picture of the CLIX variant in the 3rd and 4th pic.
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Old 4th Sep 2018, 1:10 pm   #6
terrykc
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

We always used those Clix 5A 2-pin plugs on our soldering irons.

For field work, as the vast majority of sets we serviced had 5A 2-pin mains connectors, we were nearly always guaranteed a suitable power source next to the set, even if the mains lead went half way round the room! Even then, it probably ended with a 2A 3-pin, 5A 3-pin or 15A 3-pin plug. In newer houses there were 13A 3-pin, of course, or the diabolical Dorman Smith version much favoured by the LCC for their over-spill housing estates on our patch.
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Old 4th Sep 2018, 1:17 pm   #7
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

Hopefully there were no Wylex sockets in the area.
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Old 4th Sep 2018, 5:39 pm   #8
terrykc
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

Actually, all our benches were equipped with Wylex sockets together with all the other varieties of sockets but I never saw a matching plug on anything in the nine years I was there!

We did get caught out a couple of times though, when a shipping agent brought in crewmen of ships visiting Tilbury Dock with various bits and pieces because we didn't have any Schuko sockets, of course! (this was in the 1960s)

So we had to resort to two well insulated alligator clips!

Can you still get alligator clips? I've only seen crocodile clips since I don't remember when.
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Old 4th Sep 2018, 8:44 pm   #9
AC/HL
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

Quote:
Can you still get alligator clips? I've only seen crocodile clips since I don't remember when.
Farnell list them, and just about every other variation on the theme.
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Old 4th Sep 2018, 8:58 pm   #10
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

Up around Manchester you would of seen all variations on the Wylex plug theme.
Of Course they were made by Ward & Goldstone in Wythenshaw.
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Old 4th Sep 2018, 11:40 pm   #11
hannahs radios
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

I think back in the day service engineers carried a variety of short leads one for each type of socket likely to be encountered on their rounds. Posh engineers had Fitall plugs but I think they were a bit pricey. I remember a chimney sweep coming to our house his vacuum cleaner had no plug but he had a whole load of adaptors which he just pushed the wires into then plugged that into the available socket
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Old 6th Sep 2018, 2:25 pm   #12
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

I had a look at the plug I got which is the same as the OP's and it is indeed a Clix, so there you have it.
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Old 6th Sep 2018, 11:51 pm   #13
teetoon
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

We seem to have conflicting opinions here.
The OP's plug is a GOLTONE and is a lot different to a CLIX which used 2 split pins and screwing the top down secured the connections.
The GOLTONE has regular screw terminals.
Images can be found on the PLUG MUSEUM website.
Here's a couple more incase you are still unsure.
In the first image you can see it has GOLTONE written on it. The second is clearly the CLIX plug.
David.
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Old 7th Sep 2018, 12:21 am   #14
hannahs radios
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Default Re: Unknown 2 pin 5 amp plug

Ah ok sorry got myself in a bit of a 2 and 8 there. I have some voltage 5 amp adaptors terrible things of the 5 I own 4 have poor contact inside leading to arcing and in one case a bit of a burnt smell im getting the impression that there stuffs not very good
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