Plug identification needed please - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Tom williams · 14th Feb 2021, 11:13 pm

Hi there,

I have some vintage plugs in my collection, that are unbranded, and I would like to know what brand they are please

. I have attached some photos to this post so that you can see them, the 15 amp one has got some black scorch marks around the one pin, thus resulting in the pin being loose in the plug.

Herald1360 · 15th Feb 2021, 1:05 pm

Not so much unbranded (apart from the round pin) as obscure brands- H. H. In a sort of globe symbol on one and Electro Malaysia on the other.

H. H. sounds vaguely familiar but no idea about Electro Malaysia- just an obscure Far Eastern import? Presumably 13A was/is standard there from the British colonial era.

broadgage · 15th Feb 2021, 5:55 pm

The two pin plug with odd length pins may be intended for low DC voltages.
I think that I have seen these or similar in use for relatively heavy current 24 volt DC.

Possibly sighted on a heritage railway for 24/25 volt lighting connections, and loaded to more than 15 amps I suspect.

G6Tanuki · 15th Feb 2021, 7:01 pm

I remember something very similar to the 2-pin 15A one being used in the physics lab of my school in the 60s, for "Low Voltage" DC stuff - the different-length pins was a way to ensure you didn't get the wrong polarity.

These plugs invariably fed down a length of 2-core rubber-insulated-cotton-braided flex to a square wooden 'patteress' thing on which were mounted red and black screw-terminals.

Brigham · 15th Feb 2021, 10:27 pm

Does the 2-pin plug really have different length pins, or has the burnt one simply dropped inside?
It looks like a normal 15A (BS73) two-pin, otherwise.

davidw · 16th Feb 2021, 9:55 am

Tom. I suspect you may already have visited this site. https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/index.html

Tom williams · 16th Feb 2021, 8:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brigham

Does the 2-pin plug really have different length pins, or has the burnt one simply dropped inside?
It looks like a normal 15A (BS73) two-pin, otherwise.

Yes, the pin has gotten hot in a previous life, and has burnt the wood(?) Surrounding so much that the pin has dropped inside the back cover.

14th Feb 2021, 11:13 pm	#1
Tom williams Pentode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 232	Plug identification needed please Hi there, I have some vintage plugs in my collection, that are unbranded, and I would like to know what brand they are please. I have attached some photos to this post so that you can see them, the 15 amp one has got some black scorch marks around the one pin, thus resulting in the pin being loose in the plug. Attached Thumbnails

15th Feb 2021, 1:05 pm	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,536	Re: Plug identification needed please Not so much unbranded (apart from the round pin) as obscure brands- H. H. In a sort of globe symbol on one and Electro Malaysia on the other. H. H. sounds vaguely familiar but no idea about Electro Malaysia- just an obscure Far Eastern import? Presumably 13A was/is standard there from the British colonial era. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

15th Feb 2021, 5:55 pm	#3
broadgage Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,130	Re: Plug identification needed please The two pin plug with odd length pins may be intended for low DC voltages. I think that I have seen these or similar in use for relatively heavy current 24 volt DC. Possibly sighted on a heritage railway for 24/25 volt lighting connections, and loaded to more than 15 amps I suspect.

15th Feb 2021, 7:01 pm	#4
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 14,007	Re: Plug identification needed please I remember something very similar to the 2-pin 15A one being used in the physics lab of my school in the 60s, for "Low Voltage" DC stuff - the different-length pins was a way to ensure you didn't get the wrong polarity. These plugs invariably fed down a length of 2-core rubber-insulated-cotton-braided flex to a square wooden 'patteress' thing on which were mounted red and black screw-terminals.

15th Feb 2021, 10:27 pm	#5
Brigham Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK. Posts: 1,118	Re: Plug identification needed please Does the 2-pin plug really have different length pins, or has the burnt one simply dropped inside? It looks like a normal 15A (BS73) two-pin, otherwise.

16th Feb 2021, 9:55 am	#6
davidw Heptode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 643	Re: Plug identification needed please Tom. I suspect you may already have visited this site. https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/index.html __________________ Dave G1AGK. My perception is my reality!