UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > Specific Vintage Equipment > Vintage Test Gear and Workshop Equipment

Notices

Vintage Test Gear and Workshop Equipment For discussions about vintage test gear and workshop equipment such as coil winders.

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 18th Jan 2019, 1:59 pm   #1
BRASSBITS
Hexode
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
Default Electric connector

HI
back in the 70s / 80s in the workshop we used to have mains electric connectors on a fly lead with 3 x wire traps marked L, E, N with a hinged fuse holder at the rear.
does anyone know if they are still available?
Mick
BRASSBITS is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 2:15 pm   #2
PsychMan
Octode
 
PsychMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 1,764
Default Re: electric connector

I think what you (and I for that matter!) want are these:

https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/tb...SABEgKOSfD_BwE

Sure beats my current lash ups!!
PsychMan is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 2:27 pm   #3
Skywave
Rest in Peace
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
Default Re: electric connector

In the period to which you refer, these were commonly called 'safe-blocks' or somewhat sarcastically as 'rat-traps'!

Al.
Skywave is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 2:47 pm   #4
dazzlevision
Dekatron
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,595
Default Re: electric connector

Rendar "Safeblock" and "Mains Keynector" products were available.

I also have a bulbous 13Amp "plug" with three coloured pushbuttons that open adjacent small wire clamps, to push the bare wire ends of mains leads into. Made by "Loblite" in the UK.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Screenshot 2019-01-18 at 13.44.59.jpg
Views:	119
Size:	26.8 KB
ID:	176632   Click image for larger version

Name:	Screenshot 2019-01-18 at 13.44.35.jpg
Views:	143
Size:	53.0 KB
ID:	176633   Click image for larger version

Name:	Screenshot 2019-01-18 at 13.49.13.png
Views:	125
Size:	174.9 KB
ID:	176634  
dazzlevision is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 3:21 pm   #5
BRASSBITS
Hexode
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
Default Re: electric connector

That's the one- keynector the case was bright yellow with piano style sprung loaded keys.
but we also had the loblite plug type and safeblock variants
BRASSBITS is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 3:30 pm   #6
Refugee
Dekatron
 
Refugee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 5,549
Default Re: Electric connector

I have got a couple of earlier ones like the CPC one linked to a couple of posts back.
That plug shaped one does not look quite as safe as the other two.
The original "Safeblock" branded ones like mine have chrome plated clips with old red/green/black markings and the later ones plastic keys. In both cases the fuse is fitted into a pair of blades in the cover so that it is removed from circuit while connections are being made.
That plug type looks like connections can be made with power applied. Be careful with that one.
Refugee is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 3:47 pm   #7
BRASSBITS
Hexode
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
Default Re: Electric connector

That's right the safeblock ones we had back in the 70s had the chrome plated levers
BRASSBITS is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 3:50 pm   #8
Herald1360
Dekatron
 
Herald1360's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,527
Default Re: Electric connector

Not just the fuse was removed when the lid was opened, so was a neutral link. This provided complete and plainly visible isolation, at least on the "safebloc" variety.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190118_145302.jpg
Views:	140
Size:	96.8 KB
ID:	176638  
__________________
....__________
....|____||__|__\_____
.=.| _---\__|__|_---_|.
.........O..Chris....O

Last edited by Herald1360; 18th Jan 2019 at 3:56 pm.
Herald1360 is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 4:03 pm   #9
Refugee
Dekatron
 
Refugee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 5,549
Default Re: Electric connector

That is exactly the same as mine.
One of mine has a sooty patch in it where its old owner has at some time blown a fake fuse in it.
Refugee is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 4:35 pm   #10
Dave Moll
Dekatron
 
Dave Moll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK
Posts: 6,118
Default Re: Electric connector

Quote:
Originally Posted by Herald1360 View Post
Not just the fuse is removed when the lid was opened, so was a neutral link.
Which was just as well with the metal clips. With my Keynector it was just the fuse in the lid, but the keys are designed so that it takes a conscious effort to touch the metal contacts within the keys - except if you have frayed or overlong bared lead held in it.
__________________
Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)
Dave Moll is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 7:45 pm   #11
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Electric connector

I like this one...
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	CL18303blarge.jpg
Views:	145
Size:	45.1 KB
ID:	176653  
 
Old 18th Jan 2019, 8:07 pm   #12
Dave Moll
Dekatron
 
Dave Moll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK
Posts: 6,118
Default Re: Electric connector

I've not seen a three-phase one before.
__________________
Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)
Dave Moll is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 8:13 pm   #13
duncanlowe
Nonode
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Stafford, Staffs. UK.
Posts: 2,529
Default Re: Electric connector

I must have a look for my Safeblock. Haven't used it in Donkeys now most stuff uses IEC connectors of whichever persuasion.
duncanlowe is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 8:16 pm   #14
G6Tanuki
Dekatron
 
G6Tanuki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,953
Default Re: Electric connector

I remember those Keynectors were quite popular in lighting-shop displays back in the days before everything came with moulded-on plugs. It was a bit worrying to see one of these in the window with about ten lights running off it!

There was another version I remember that had a circular translucent cover which twisted through 90 degrees to remove; the cover had three curved ramp-segments that pressed down on the contacts to trap the bared ends of the lead, and a protrusion in the middle that closed the control-switch when the cover was correctly tightened down. There was a neon which glowed through the translucent cover to indicate the cover was properly in-place.
G6Tanuki is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2019, 8:47 pm   #15
Bobdger
Hexode
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Rustington, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 381
Default Re: Electric connector

The 3 phase and N safe block are available from Cliff electrical they have only been on sale for about 3 years. Use mine a lot saves a lot time and safer then choc block.
Bob
__________________
Bob, BVWS member
Bobdger is offline  
Old 19th Jan 2019, 4:32 pm   #16
BRASSBITS
Hexode
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
Default Re: Electric connector

having had a scout around it looks like there's only the safeblock type available as in post 2 at cpc so cpc here I come
BRASSBITS is offline  
Old 19th Jan 2019, 4:46 pm   #17
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Electric connector

I must admit for a "quick and dirty" bare end mains connection I just shove the wires up an IEC (kettle) lead socket. If I do this in company the plug goes in my pocket.
 
Old 19th Jan 2019, 6:33 pm   #18
AC/HL
Dekatron
 
AC/HL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,637
Default Re: Electric connector

Chop the IEC connector off and fit a choc bloc, much safer if not quite so quick. Mine was once an old figure of eight, had it for years, although I do have a Rendar somewhere.
AC/HL is offline  
Old 20th Jan 2019, 1:42 pm   #19
BulgingCap
Pentode
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: South Coast, Western Australia.
Posts: 129
Default Re: Electric connector

When I started work, the 'Safebloc' variant was known as a 'Lennie' by the ladies up in electronic assembly on account of the LEN printed on the keys.
BC
BulgingCap is offline  
Old 20th Jan 2019, 10:35 pm   #20
Goldieoldie
Octode
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Petersfield, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 1,043
Default Re: Electric connector

Years ago when I was at Tech college the practical room had several safe blocks mounted on the workbenches
One lad feeling a bit bored during a lecture stuffed the block full of silver paper from his fag packet ,then at the right moment slammed the cover shut
Even he was suprised at the loud bang !
Teach was not amused
Goldieoldie is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 1:51 am.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.