Mains lead connector identification - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Alistair D · 29th Aug 2018, 9:17 am

Does anyone know of any websites that show pictures and perhaps dimensions of the many equipment connectors that have been used in the past? It would be a handy reference when trying to find an elusive connector.

Earlier in the thread reference was made to Maplin and others selling a wide range of these leads. Does anyone have old catalogues that could be scanned?

Al

TonyDuell · 29th Aug 2018, 9:31 am

At one point Maplin sold a range of leads with names like 'Cassette Lead Sony' (that 4 pin square-ish one), 'Cassette Lead Philips' (that odd large figure-of-8 with 2 flat pins in different orientations) etc. I think they were that connector moulded onto a length of 2 core cable, bare ends at the other end.

The only documentation in the catalogue was a line drawing (possibly actual size) of the face of the connector. I should still have the catalogue on my shelf, I can scan the appropriate bit of the page if people think it would be useful.

Refugee · 29th Aug 2018, 11:18 am

Will this help?
http://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/Overview.html

TonyDuell · 29th Aug 2018, 3:24 pm

I think that site is for the various types of plugs and sockets fitted to walls, etc. I am talking about the fixed plug/cable mounted socket used for the mains input on cassette recorders, radios, etc.

TonyDuell · 29th Aug 2018, 3:58 pm

I've gone through my old Maplin catalogues and scanned the appropriate pages of the one with the most mains leads shown (all the others had a subset of those). I've attached the scan (I hope). I think the 'Telefunken' one is the modern 'Figure of 8' one to give you some idea of the size

Refugee · 29th Aug 2018, 4:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDuell

I think that site is for the various types of plugs and sockets fitted to walls, etc. I am talking about the fixed plug/cable mounted socket used for the mains input on cassette recorders, radios, etc.

Look under appliance couplers.
There are quite a few shown.

Alistair D · 29th Aug 2018, 10:39 pm

Thank you both. That is an excellent start. I will keep searching to see what else turns up.

Al

'LIVEWIRE?' · 30th Aug 2018, 11:12 am

I think the record player referred to by Vinyljeff in post #1 of this wanted thread

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=148756

is the 'Waltham' Standard Mains/Battery Record Player, which was made in Ireland in the early to mid 1960s. If so, the lead/connector mentioned in the Monacor link should fit it.

terrykc · 30th Aug 2018, 1:07 pm

A common TV connector was the female half of a 5A 2-pin flex connector. Bush had a variant which very squared up and had the flex entry at right angles, but it was still a 5A 2-pin flex connector!

One variant was a polarised version with one standard pin and one thin one but, on the bench, we just used a normal flex connector and a matchstick!

Philips used a flat pin connector, not unlike the US connector but with the pins angled' like those used in China and Australia.

Alistair D · 5th Oct 2018, 2:27 pm

Terry, got data on those 3 now. Thanks.

So far I have amassed info on over 150 'appliance' connectors with varying amounts of data on each, but at least there are links to pictures of most of them. The 150 covers both mains and DC power applications.

I have run into a bit of a brick wall with the Jones and Painton series of plugs and sockets. There seems to be cofusion about which is which. This is complicated even further by references to a 'minature' Jones series. The links below explain the confusion better than I can.

https://www.belfuse.com/product-deta...ch-jones-plugs
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=138553
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=111661

So far I have been unable to track down a spec sheet or dimensional drawing of the original series as used on T1154/R1155 etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction? A second option would be that someone has an original plug that they could measure the blade length, width, thickness, distance between blade centres and distace between rows.

Any help appreciated.

Al

29th Aug 2018, 9:31 am	#2
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,208	Re: Mains Lead At one point Maplin sold a range of leads with names like 'Cassette Lead Sony' (that 4 pin square-ish one), 'Cassette Lead Philips' (that odd large figure-of-8 with 2 flat pins in different orientations) etc. I think they were that connector moulded onto a length of 2 core cable, bare ends at the other end. The only documentation in the catalogue was a line drawing (possibly actual size) of the face of the connector. I should still have the catalogue on my shelf, I can scan the appropriate bit of the page if people think it would be useful.

29th Aug 2018, 11:18 am	#3
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Mains Lead Will this help? http://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/Overview.html

29th Aug 2018, 3:24 pm	#4
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,208	Re: Mains Lead I think that site is for the various types of plugs and sockets fitted to walls, etc. I am talking about the fixed plug/cable mounted socket used for the mains input on cassette recorders, radios, etc.

29th Aug 2018, 10:39 pm	#7
Alistair D Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 2,008	Re: Mains lead connector identification Thank you both. That is an excellent start. I will keep searching to see what else turns up. Al __________________ I won't tell you how I discovered that.

30th Aug 2018, 11:12 am	#8
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Mains lead connector identification I think the record player referred to by Vinyljeff in post #1 of this wanted thread https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=148756 is the 'Waltham' Standard Mains/Battery Record Player, which was made in Ireland in the early to mid 1960s. If so, the lead/connector mentioned in the Monacor link should fit it.

29th Aug 2018, 9:17 am	#1
Alistair D Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 2,008	Mains lead connector identification Does anyone know of any websites that show pictures and perhaps dimensions of the many equipment connectors that have been used in the past? It would be a handy reference when trying to find an elusive connector. Earlier in the thread reference was made to Maplin and others selling a wide range of these leads. Does anyone have old catalogues that could be scanned? Al __________________ I won't tell you how I discovered that.

30th Aug 2018, 1:07 pm	#9
terrykc Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 515	Re: Mains lead connector identification A common TV connector was the female half of a 5A 2-pin flex connector. Bush had a variant which very squared up and had the flex entry at right angles, but it was still a 5A 2-pin flex connector! One variant was a polarised version with one standard pin and one thin one but, on the bench, we just used a normal flex connector and a matchstick! Philips used a flat pin connector, not unlike the US connector but with the pins angled' like those used in China and Australia.

5th Oct 2018, 2:27 pm	#10
Alistair D Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 2,008	Re: Mains lead connector identification Terry, got data on those 3 now. Thanks. So far I have amassed info on over 150 'appliance' connectors with varying amounts of data on each, but at least there are links to pictures of most of them. The 150 covers both mains and DC power applications. I have run into a bit of a brick wall with the Jones and Painton series of plugs and sockets. There seems to be cofusion about which is which. This is complicated even further by references to a 'minature' Jones series. The links below explain the confusion better than I can. https://www.belfuse.com/product-deta...ch-jones-plugs https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=138553 https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=111661 So far I have been unable to track down a spec sheet or dimensional drawing of the original series as used on T1154/R1155 etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction? A second option would be that someone has an original plug that they could measure the blade length, width, thickness, distance between blade centres and distace between rows. Any help appreciated. Al __________________ I won't tell you how I discovered that.