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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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18th Jan 2019, 1:59 pm | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
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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 |
18th Jan 2019, 2:15 pm | #2 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 1,764
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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!! |
18th Jan 2019, 2:27 pm | #3 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
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Re: electric connector
In the period to which you refer, these were commonly called 'safe-blocks' or somewhat sarcastically as 'rat-traps'!
Al. |
18th Jan 2019, 2:47 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,595
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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. |
18th Jan 2019, 3:21 pm | #5 |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
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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 |
18th Jan 2019, 3:30 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 5,549
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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. |
18th Jan 2019, 3:47 pm | #7 |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
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Re: Electric connector
That's right the safeblock ones we had back in the 70s had the chrome plated levers
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18th Jan 2019, 3:50 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,527
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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.
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18th Jan 2019, 4:03 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 5,549
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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. |
18th Jan 2019, 4:35 pm | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK
Posts: 6,118
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Re: Electric connector
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.
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Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) |
18th Jan 2019, 7:45 pm | #11 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: Electric connector
I like this one...
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18th Jan 2019, 8:07 pm | #12 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK
Posts: 6,118
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Re: Electric connector
I've not seen a three-phase one before.
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Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) |
18th Jan 2019, 8:13 pm | #13 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Stafford, Staffs. UK.
Posts: 2,529
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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.
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18th Jan 2019, 8:16 pm | #14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,953
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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. |
18th Jan 2019, 8:47 pm | #15 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Rustington, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 381
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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
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Bob, BVWS member |
19th Jan 2019, 4:32 pm | #16 |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
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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
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19th Jan 2019, 4:46 pm | #17 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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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.
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19th Jan 2019, 6:33 pm | #18 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,637
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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.
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20th Jan 2019, 1:42 pm | #19 |
Pentode
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: South Coast, Western Australia.
Posts: 129
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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 |
20th Jan 2019, 10:35 pm | #20 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Petersfield, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 1,043
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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 |