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Old 7th Sep 2020, 7:41 am   #1
suebutcher
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Default "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

A 1970s plug-in relay branded "P.C." in italic capitals on the top of the transparent case, and also underneath the socket (not in this photo). The part number on the label reads PC4 CBB/26, and it's four pole double throw. Who were P.C.? Was this a British make?
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Old 7th Sep 2020, 8:23 am   #2
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

Not sure about the P C marking, but the CBB/26 number on the coil comes back to a manufacturer called Varley.

Full part # VP4/CBB/26.

Edit:- there is an Australian company called Phoenix Contact, but I don't know how far back they go.
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Old 7th Sep 2020, 11:50 am   #3
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

So it might be Australian, made under license? And did Varley have some connection with Siemens? I have a similar Varley-branded two-pole relay VP2/HD/CAB/14 which has the Siemens logo moulded into the transparent casing.
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Old 7th Sep 2020, 7:58 pm   #4
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

I think it was a standard relay type made by a number of manufacturers.
My junk box has a variety of either Varley, unmarked or PC.
They were used in the 60s in Solartron data loggers before reed switches became common and in the earlier successive approximation DVMs (901 and 902). I think the 700 Ohm was 24 volt and the 430 Ohm 12 volt coil.
But sorry - no idea who PC was...
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Old 7th Sep 2020, 8:56 pm   #5
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

I believe the original type on which these relays are all based is the Siemens V23154. They were once an industry standard and came in many varieties including hermetically sealed metal cased versions. They are still available but the prices are unbelievable; £60 seems to be the going rate for some varieties.

Pheonix Contact in Australia is just one branch of a German company with subsidiaries in many parts of the world. https://www.phoenixcontact.com/onlin...5-9a5830669032

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Old 7th Sep 2020, 10:24 pm   #6
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

I think I can solve this mystery. I recognised that relay and remembered that I've got several of them. When I was a teenager we had a couple of boxes full of them, some with 1250 ohm coils and some with 2500 ohm. The 1250 ohm ones would just about operate on 12V so they were handy for experimenting with.

I remember that each relay was packed in its own little cardboard box labelled "Perivale Controls", which would explain the "PC" on the housing. I don't know what became of the company. Google didn't reveal anything useful.

Chris
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Old 8th Sep 2020, 4:21 am   #7
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

Thanks!
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Old 8th Sep 2020, 4:42 am   #8
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

Perivale Controls were de-listed as a company in late 1983 (reference THE LONDON GAZETTE www.thegazette.co.uk - in the archives).
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Old 8th Sep 2020, 1:33 pm   #9
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

I have certainly come across the same type of relay branded Davall.

S Davall and Sons Ltd, Greenford, Middlesex (in 1968). Originally a clock maker.

In 1967, the company was a member of the Bentima group and also owned Telford Products Ltd and Perivale Controls Ltd.

Perivale probably refers to Perivale, Middlesex, UK.
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Old 9th Sep 2020, 10:51 am   #10
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

Here are pictures of three versions of the Meccano Electronic Control Set 606 relay. The blue label VP2 relay was definitely made by Varley because the name's printed on top of the casing, but the PC1 relay is unbranded. My guess is it's from Perivale Controls because of the PC prefix and the red coil with the white label. Any opinions on this?
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Old 9th Sep 2020, 2:14 pm   #11
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

In which case, who is A3?
They appear to have similar coding, there may be a standard for this. The relays themselves are a universal design.
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Old 9th Sep 2020, 3:17 pm   #12
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Default Re: "P.C." branded mini cradle relay

CAB = changeover contacts/silver contacts/nickel plated terminal, 26 = nominal voltage, A3 = special requirements (whatever that was). Perhaps A3 codes single pole? The other "A3" relay doesn't seem to follow the same coding standard.
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