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Old 23rd May 2019, 9:42 pm   #1
Graham G3ZVT
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Default Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Quicktest also allowed, à la Big Clive.

I just polished up my old Safebloc its five minutes of fame on the forum.

I'd forgotten what a pig they were to wire, with those nuts & washers, like those early MK plugs.
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Old 23rd May 2019, 9:52 pm   #2
Dave Moll
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Not actually a Safebloc, but I do occasionally use my Keynector, which is the same sort of thing, to check out a mains-powered acquisition before deciding whether it's worth the effort of attaching a plug.

I know what you mean about the nut and washer terminals. I used to hate the ones on the MK plugs you mention, where they were even worse. At least on your Safebloc there is plenty of space to get a spanner to them.
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Old 23rd May 2019, 10:06 pm   #3
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

I use my keynector regularly to attach "widow-makers" between my isolated variac and switched mode power supplies I'm testing. Different power supplies have different mains in terminals and it saves having to wire loads of plugs on.
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Old 23rd May 2019, 10:16 pm   #4
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Yes very much, one of the most useful things I've bought to be honest. Your Safebloc looks Bakelite, is it? Mine has a softer plastic top and 'Bakelite' hard bottom.

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Old 23rd May 2019, 10:22 pm   #5
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Arrow Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

I have two adaptors here that get occasional use. They are identical to the one shown in your photos. I've owned them for decades (like so much of the stuff I have here!).

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Old 23rd May 2019, 10:24 pm   #6
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrewausfa View Post
Yes very much, one of the most useful things I've bought to be honest. Your Safebloc looks Bakelite, is it? Mine has a softer plastic top and 'Bakelite' hard bottom.
When we used them at work in the '70s, they were often mounted on the front of the benches rather than on the bench-top.
The lids used to get broken off if left open. I am almost certain our central stores used to buy replacement lids from the manufacturer.
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Old 23rd May 2019, 10:27 pm   #7
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Yes I use several at home....and I use them at work as well. One of the ones at work has actually been broken at some time and been glued with Araldite.....been like it for years.
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Old 23rd May 2019, 10:45 pm   #8
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

I use a Quicktest block, like this https://cpc.farnell.com/cliff-electr...ead/dp/PL10638 only yellow topped, very often. For quick checks on mains powered components it's invaluable. Only today, for example, I wired up the 240V primary on a large mains transformer which had a 120V tapping to make a 120V autotransformer for a quick check on a US mains transformer. The 'autotransformer' was connected via the Quicktest which provided me with a fuse, a handy (effective) switch and a neon showing that the Quicktest was powered.

Cheers,

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Old 23rd May 2019, 10:51 pm   #9
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

I've got two of em, one with a short lead for the bench, and one with a long lead for less mobile projects,

T
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Old 23rd May 2019, 11:32 pm   #10
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Yes, I've got 2 safeblocs here both the same, an RS branded one and a rendar branded one. Daily use, literally. The safeblocs are easier to use one-handed than the cliff quicktest which can up-end itself when trying to open.

Hint to make attaching the mains lead easier: use crimped eyelets or solder tags.
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Old 23rd May 2019, 11:40 pm   #11
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

I just pulled one of mine out to find an improvised cap reformer still connected from last time I used it.
I have the right tool for terminating those connections. Those tools used to be very expensive. I bought a new one when they made a fleeting appearance in Aldi.
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Old 24th May 2019, 12:43 am   #12
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Well, the Keynector at Work was looking a bit the worse for wear, with chunks of the bakelite body missing, though not quite enough to get a finger in, so I ordered a replacement all-black Quicktest (RS Stock No. 458-926) last year, and took it home.
It takes the place of a dodgy Loblite plug thing previously discussed by others here.
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Old 24th May 2019, 12:44 am   #13
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

I have 2 one screwed to mains panell with a row of 13a sockets on workshop wall other in a box of stuff just found it also found another vairac a new in box Zenith will investicate as scale is marked 0 to 100 dont know if this volts or just a scale. says made in England by the Zenith Electric co ltd Wavedon Milton Keynes. plate on top says type v6h 240v 50Hz 0-270v 3 A Mick
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Old 24th May 2019, 12:46 am   #14
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Probably a 0-100% scale. May be marked 0-112 on the reverse.
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Old 24th May 2019, 4:30 am   #15
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

I still use my Keynector (so not strictly a Safebloc) for quick tests on mains transformers and the like. I was given it about 40 years ago 'not to be used' as the (thin) plastic baseplate had cracked, exposting the live terminals where you connect the incoming mains lead. I screwed it (using the official mounting holes) to an offcut of chipboard and it's been fine ever since.

One odd thing about the Keynector (at least mine) is that the neon is connected between live (line, whatever) and _earth_. It doesn't pass enough current to trip an RCD, and I guess this warns against an L-N swap on the incoming mains.
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Old 24th May 2019, 5:48 am   #16
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

I still use a Safebloc, it's needs a polish though, it's mounted on a block of wood with a short mains lead and13A plug.

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Old 24th May 2019, 7:07 am   #17
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyDuell View Post
One odd thing about the Keynector (at least mine) is that the neon is connected between live (line, whatever) and _earth_. It doesn't pass enough current to trip an RCD, and I guess this warns against an L-N swap on the incoming mains.
I have one of those, but never realised that the neon was connected in this way! I’ll have to dig it out and have a look!

Thanks. SimonT.
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Old 24th May 2019, 7:08 am   #18
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

I also use one on an irregular basis. When I need it, it's the very thing for the job (if you see what I mean).


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Old 24th May 2019, 7:58 am   #19
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

Still got mine and use it quite often as and when I get into the workshop
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Old 24th May 2019, 7:58 am   #20
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Default Re: Who's still using their old Safebloc?

My Safe blocks, 415/3/N50, 230/1/50, 110/1/50. In use most weeks, The 3 phase one replaced a old version about 2 years ago. Until then I had a homemade version using 2 standard Safeblocks linked together.
Bob
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