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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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6th Aug 2019, 6:43 pm | #1 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 232
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MK dimmer plug
Hi there,
Today I picked up this little Jem, it is an MK plug with another socket on the back, on the bottom there is a flex outlet which has a two-core flex leading to the dimmer switch shown in the photos, the plug has a maximum load of 400 Watts and uses the slightly older type socket shutters. Photos: |
6th Aug 2019, 7:25 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,713
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Re: MK dimmer plug
I've not seen one of those before, although I have in the past cobbled together home made units that did much the same thing.
It's a pity MK abandoned that shutter design, it was an outward sign of some very well built accessories.
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-- Graham. G3ZVT |
6th Aug 2019, 7:32 pm | #3 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 232
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Hi rambo1152,
The only problem with this shutter design is that it makes it easy to shove a euro plug into the socket without an adaptor, as said by John ward. https://youtu.be/4PB-nhM0YBY |
6th Aug 2019, 8:10 pm | #4 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,998
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Quote:
I've not seen a "dimmer-adaptor" like the one shown; I'm intrigued - presumably the bit-with-the-knob is a traditional thyristor-dimmer, wired in series with the live-pins on the 'adaptor' bit? I remember a similar sort of "regulator" thing - in traditional brown Bakelite - from my youth. It looked like an oversized 13A adapter but only had one socket-outlet, and a knob/dial on the top along with a little window through which a neon-bulb would glow. It was used to regulate the heat to infra-red heater-bulbs in lambing-pens. As the weak lambs got stronger the control would be dialed-back because they no longer needed so much radiant heat to keep them alive. |
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6th Aug 2019, 9:33 pm | #5 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,713
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Quote:
I'm a fan of JW, I wonder if he watches my channel https://youtu.be/JSLuhwfDeXE
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-- Graham. G3ZVT |
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8th Aug 2019, 9:32 am | #6 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 8
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Clas Ohlson (the really useful store) sell / used to sell a similar thing. Very useful for making real Christmas lights last longer.
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8th Aug 2019, 10:17 am | #7 |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 364
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Re: MK dimmer plug
We used to sell them back in the day.
MK did two versions, the one in the op and a cone shaped one in bright orange. |
8th Aug 2019, 11:06 am | #8 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 232
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Re: MK dimmer plug
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10th Aug 2019, 2:28 am | #9 | ||
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA.
Posts: 823
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Quote:
I bought a lamp module from a charity shop, that was similar to the one shown. It worked just by plugging a lamp in that had a metal base. It works the same as one that has a dimmer module built in. Dave, as usual, always collecting. |
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10th Aug 2019, 9:51 am | #10 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,943
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Re: MK dimmer plug
The vast majority of table lamps in the UK are also unearthed. They are fitted with a BS1363 13A 3 pin plug because that is the only plug in the system. The earth pin isn't connected to anything and just operates the socket shutters.
Touch controlled lamps were also popular here for a while, but now appear to have fallen out of fashion. |
10th Aug 2019, 3:16 pm | #11 | |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Quote:
Back on topic, it is reassuring to see a 13A socket labelled for reduced current use, as I want to tap from the lighting circuit for a low power use socket (charging SHMBOs eBike in a lit shed). *Everyone assumes you have one, I don't |
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10th Aug 2019, 5:08 pm | #12 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA.
Posts: 823
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Re: MK dimmer plug
I own one of the lowest price phones that I seldom use! I have over 3500 minutes of use left.
Back on topic, If I can buy an electrical gadget for mere pennies , I can't resist it! As usual, your entries are very cleverly written! Dave, US radcoll1, another one that caters to my feline types. |
10th Aug 2019, 6:28 pm | #13 |
Heptode
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 729
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Yes, Dave, we do love our cats here on UKVRRR!
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Best Regards, Peter. |
10th Aug 2019, 8:38 pm | #14 | |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Quote:
On topic bit, dimmed lights and a cat or two are useful after that. |
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11th Aug 2019, 5:11 pm | #15 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA.
Posts: 823
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Quote:
USradcoll1, Dave. |
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11th Aug 2019, 6:42 pm | #16 |
Heptode
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 729
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Sounds like the excellent 1980s MK sockets, that didn't have an earth pin-operated shutter system (see pic)
I've had them in this house for forty years, and never had a fault, or needed to replace any.
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Best Regards, Peter. |
12th Aug 2019, 1:38 am | #17 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,713
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Quote:
Same here, although none of mine are switched. I've just had a kitchen refit, and now I have seven double and one single sockets of unknown manufacturer, but at least they have switches. I tell you, they'll be trouble! I like slim BICC plugs as well, even it they are "illegal" now.
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-- Graham. G3ZVT |
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12th Aug 2019, 2:08 am | #18 |
Heptode
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 729
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Most of mine aren't switched either (pic) The one with switches was bought specially because, years ago, we only had a basic manual electric kettle (no auto switch-off) and my Mother didn't like unplugging the boiling kettle every time, because there was usually a blue spark when the plug was withdrawn.
I really like the Legrand/BICC plugs too! Why are they 'illegal', Graham? First I've heard of it!
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Best Regards, Peter. Last edited by Lancs Lad; 12th Aug 2019 at 2:34 am. |
12th Aug 2019, 3:28 am | #19 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,713
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Re: MK dimmer plug
Non-sleeved L & N pins. Must not be fitted to equipment offered for sale or hire.
__________________
-- Graham. G3ZVT |
12th Aug 2019, 3:43 am | #20 |
Heptode
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 729
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Re: MK dimmer plug
I have twelve of those plugs, Graham.
Ten have sleeved pins, and two haven't - all in regular use! I live dangerously me
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Best Regards, Peter. |