Unusual 2 Amp socket - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ex 2 Base · 25th Feb 2020, 5:16 pm

Back in the late 50's we were fitting those 3 pin 2 amp sockets directly into a cut out in the skirting board for table lamps. The wiring REGS weren't like they are today and earth wire was just bare copper wire, no green/yellow. To have the installation tested by EMEB was free, but 7/6 for a retest. Don't remember ever measuring the Megger output voltage or having it calibrated either.

ex 2 Base · 25th Feb 2020, 5:17 pm

Should have been late 40's not 50's

Cobaltblue · 25th Feb 2020, 5:42 pm

Whilst looking for something else entirely I came across this one a 5A example from Crabtree.

Cheers

Mike T

Tractorfan · 25th Feb 2020, 6:09 pm

Hi, And thanks for all the interesting replies.
On the subject of early flush sockets, I remembered that I had this one. 2 amps and with an unusual angled socket, maybe to keep the flex clear of the carpet?
It was made by 'Efesca' with a 'walnut duroid' finish. it's new and unused and still in its box.
Cheers, Pete.

McMurdo · 25th Feb 2020, 9:07 pm

Definitely for flush mounting. The surface mounting back boxes were bakelite. We forget how well made these old back boxes were in those days. The modern ones usually deform with just the weight of a woodscrew unless the aperture is perfectly milled.

MK part number for the socket: 2990/502
flush steel backbox: 2080

(1954 catalogue)

Lucien Nunes · 26th Feb 2020, 4:04 pm

Folded steel backboxes such as Teetoon shows, where the faceplate overhangs the box, were always for flush mounting as per McMurdo. Metalclad boxes designed for surface mounting are seamless deep-drawn and have rounded corners and an exact mating line with the faceplate edge. Both flush and surface cast-iron boxes existed too, as well as bakelite surface types.

The depth of the box reflects the larger sockets that could be fitted, e.g. 5A BS and possibly even MK's proprietary gauge 15A (which was smaller in pin footprint than BS gauge), and that sockets suitable for DC had deeper tumbler switch actions instead of micro-break as in this AC-only type.

The earth continuity to the screw eye enabled the socket to be earthed by default when the back box was earthed via a conduit system, i.e. there was no separate CPC to terminate in the socket. Conversely, the back box would be earthed by default when the socket was earthed via the cable.

Refugee · 27th Feb 2020, 12:01 am

The surface mounted ones sure do have rounded corners.
Here is a photo of a Bakelite one.

25th Feb 2020, 5:16 pm	#21
ex 2 Base Heptode Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 510	Re: Unusual 2 Amp socket Back in the late 50's we were fitting those 3 pin 2 amp sockets directly into a cut out in the skirting board for table lamps. The wiring REGS weren't like they are today and earth wire was just bare copper wire, no green/yellow. To have the installation tested by EMEB was free, but 7/6 for a retest. Don't remember ever measuring the Megger output voltage or having it calibrated either.

25th Feb 2020, 5:17 pm	#22
ex 2 Base Heptode Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 510	Re: Unusual 2 Amp socket Should have been late 40's not 50's

25th Feb 2020, 5:42 pm	#23
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,864	Re: Unusual 2 Amp socket Whilst looking for something else entirely I came across this one a 5A example from Crabtree. Cheers Mike T Attached Thumbnails __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

25th Feb 2020, 6:09 pm	#24
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,183	Re: Unusual 2 Amp socket Hi, And thanks for all the interesting replies. On the subject of early flush sockets, I remembered that I had this one. 2 amps and with an unusual angled socket, maybe to keep the flex clear of the carpet? It was made by 'Efesca' with a 'walnut duroid' finish. it's new and unused and still in its box. Cheers, Pete. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..." Last edited by Tractorfan; 25th Feb 2020 at 6:15 pm. Reason: Extra info.

25th Feb 2020, 9:07 pm	#25
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,270	Re: Unusual 2 Amp socket Definitely for flush mounting. The surface mounting back boxes were bakelite. We forget how well made these old back boxes were in those days. The modern ones usually deform with just the weight of a woodscrew unless the aperture is perfectly milled. MK part number for the socket: 2990/502 flush steel backbox: 2080 (1954 catalogue) __________________ Kevin

26th Feb 2020, 4:04 pm	#26
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Re: Unusual 2 Amp socket Folded steel backboxes such as Teetoon shows, where the faceplate overhangs the box, were always for flush mounting as per McMurdo. Metalclad boxes designed for surface mounting are seamless deep-drawn and have rounded corners and an exact mating line with the faceplate edge. Both flush and surface cast-iron boxes existed too, as well as bakelite surface types. The depth of the box reflects the larger sockets that could be fitted, e.g. 5A BS and possibly even MK's proprietary gauge 15A (which was smaller in pin footprint than BS gauge), and that sockets suitable for DC had deeper tumbler switch actions instead of micro-break as in this AC-only type. The earth continuity to the screw eye enabled the socket to be earthed by default when the back box was earthed via a conduit system, i.e. there was no separate CPC to terminate in the socket. Conversely, the back box would be earthed by default when the socket was earthed via the cable.

27th Feb 2020, 12:01 am	#27
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Unusual 2 Amp socket The surface mounted ones sure do have rounded corners. Here is a photo of a Bakelite one. Attached Thumbnails