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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details.

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Old 13th Sep 2015, 11:09 pm   #101
Newshound68
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Default Re: Plug sockets

Is there a good tutorial anywhere that tells you how to convert a 1950s BS546 machine (in this case a signal generator) to modern mains?
Thanks in advance all
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Old 13th Sep 2015, 11:35 pm   #102
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Default Re: Plug sockets

Here's a switched Wylex socket spotted in a hotel in Norfolk in 2007 while attending a wedding reception. Long disused judging by the paint.
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Old 13th Sep 2015, 11:38 pm   #103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emeritus View Post
Here's a switched Wylex socket spotted in a hotel in Norfolk in 2007 while attending a wedding reception. Long disused judging by the paint.
And?
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Old 13th Sep 2015, 11:47 pm   #104
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Intended as a follow-on from #88
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 11:34 am   #105
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Default Re: Plug sockets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Newshound68 View Post
Is there a good tutorial anywhere that tells you how to convert a 1950s BS546 machine (in this case a signal generator) to modern mains?
Thanks in advance all
Are you asking how to replace an old style BS546 plug. with a 13 Amp plug to BS1363?
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 11:45 am   #106
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Default Re: Plug sockets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Newshound68 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by emeritus View Post
Here's a switched Wylex socket spotted in a hotel in Norfolk in 2007 while attending a wedding reception. Long disused judging by the paint.
And?
I see your point, but some of us find it interesting to see obsolete technology still in situ, even if it's no longer in use and un-noticed by 99.9999% percent of the population.

There is a long thread on obsolete VHF telly aerials, for example

Nick.
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 11:47 am   #107
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Default Re: Plug sockets

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Originally Posted by Station X View Post
Are you asking how to replace an old style BS546 plug. with a 13 Amp plug to BS1363?
See here: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=119351
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 12:24 pm   #108
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Default Re: Plug sockets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Station X View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newshound68 View Post
Is there a good tutorial anywhere that tells you how to convert a 1950s BS546 machine (in this case a signal generator) to modern mains?
Thanks in advance all
Are you asking how to replace an old style BS546 plug. with a 13 Amp plug to BS1363?
Yes Graham, thanks
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 12:29 pm   #109
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Default Re: Plug sockets

See here:-

http://www.thediyworld.co.uk/wiring-a-plug.html
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 2:23 pm   #110
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Default Re: Plug sockets

The voltage and frequency of the mains did not change with the adoption of BS1363; only the shape of the connectors and how they were wired to the fusebox. As long as your old appliance is capable of operating at 240 V, 50 Hz, then all you need do is replace the plug.

The old wiring code will almost certainly be: black = neutral, red = live, green = earth.
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 2:59 pm   #111
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Default Re: Plug sockets

Many thanks All
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 3:06 pm   #112
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Default Re: Plug sockets

With reference to post 110, surely during the time that BS546 plugs and sockets were in common use there were buildings -- even private houses -- in the UK where the mains supply was not 240V 50Hz. Voltages from 200V to 250V were not uncommon, there were other frequencies (for example 100Hz in north Devon around Lynton/Lynmouth until the floods in 1952), DC supplies and so on.

I have no idea what device here is to be wired to a BS1363 plug, but it would be a good idea to check that is suitable for 240V 50Hz (it should say on the nameplate or similar, there may be a voltage selector panel you have to set for 240V)
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 3:12 pm   #113
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Default Re: Plug sockets

Here's the name plate - apologies I've been using two different threads!

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...7&d=1442179680

It says: "110-210-230-250v" and "40-100 ~" Presumably the latter means Hertz?

Last edited by Station X; 14th Sep 2015 at 3:21 pm. Reason: 40-10 changed to 4-100 to prevent needless discussion.
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 3:35 pm   #114
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Yes, the 'AC symbol' will mean hertz here

There will be no adjustment for mains frequency, it will work on anything from 40 to 100 Hz. But there will be a thing to set for the voltage. These days the UK mains is 'politically' 230V, but can actually be a bit higher than that. I would be inclined to measure your mains voltage and set the voltage selector to whichever of 230V or 250V is closer.

Apart from that, just change the plug to the BS1363 type (other posts have given the old wire colour code) -- and fit a 3A fuse in the plug.
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Old 14th Sep 2015, 4:05 pm   #115
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Default Re: Plug sockets

Great thanks again ... now I just have to track down a reasonably priced Bulgin!
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Old 13th Jan 2016, 4:01 pm   #116
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Default Re: Plug sockets

Hi! Harking back to post 1, I do have some older stuff installed in my house.

As much as I have a large collection of lovely old vintage bakelite fixings (will upload some pictures one day); I generally like using new MK or Hager stuff in the house to keep it fresh...

However when it came to the man-cave at the back of the garden, I couldn't resist using two old MK metal-clads! The first one was my Grandfathers in his workshop back in the mid-1960's, the second was one I had in my collection from a car boot sale. Functional and solid!

Wiring is done in far more modern FP200 cable and gland.

Anyway, thought you may wish to see. I will be lining and insulating this building, however I will retain these sockets as they look the part in thre workshop, and have such a good positive action
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