Identifying transformer maker from logo - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Lucien Nunes · 30th Mar 2020, 10:35 pm

I have a mental blank on this, I am sure I knew the name of the company that made this choke... Allied something? Google and Grace's guide are not helping and I'm not near my study.

Thanks in advance

trobbins · 30th Mar 2020, 11:46 pm

Perhaps Automatic Electric Europe, they go back a long way ?

vidjoman · 31st Mar 2020, 8:47 am

My interpretation of the logo is AEC ltd.
If you take the middle letter to be an E which uses the horizontal line of the A as part of an E, then the lower symbol is not the same - the center line, if it's an E, is shorter and offset upwards. That's why I think it's a C.
What has the transformer come from? Any clue there?

Herald1360 · 31st Mar 2020, 10:09 am

It's unlikely to be American Electric Components 'cos it's Ltd not Inc.

Maybe Associated Equipment Company (of Bus and Lorry fame) produced odd stuff during WW2?

There is an AEC Power Control outfit in Scotland, but that sounds too recent.

Maybe it was just a custom wind for AEC (of Bus and Lorry fame)?

Lucien Nunes · 31st Mar 2020, 4:15 pm

99.9% certainly British made, for a London-based OEM who built their own amplifier chassis into their musical instruments. I think I have examples from about 1948 to 1965, with a total production over that period on the order of 3000 units. The mains TX, chokes, O/P TX were all from the same maker.

Radio Wrangler · 31st Mar 2020, 7:14 pm

It does look to be a really nicely made transformer.

David

Lucien Nunes · 31st Mar 2020, 7:47 pm

They do seem pretty robust. The OP's ought to be HiFi but I've never actually had cause to measure them. Any limitations at the top end are usually vastly overshadowed by limitations elsewhere; the full power needs to go all the way down and then some, so you don't get a lot of watts per lb. The amps they were used on were variously actual triodes, triode-strapped pentodes, pentodes with regulated G2 volts and ~40% UL.
More examples (I don't like to show these things off too much for reasons that should be apparent)

Lucien Nunes · 1st Apr 2020, 12:01 am

Could it be anything to do with Albion? I don't think so, but worth the remark that later amplifiers from the same maker all had Albion wound components. Recognisable by their paper labels, the construction is much more run of the mill, not fully vac impregnated and with captive leads emerging from galvanised shrouds. Searching for a possible relationship between 'AEC' and Albion is hampered by the motor vehicle firms of the same names.

dazzlevision · 1st Apr 2020, 8:17 am

Some more possibilities:

Associated Electronic Engineers Ltd – sound systems equipment branded Astronic made by Associated Electronic Engineers Ltd, Dalston Gardens, Stanmore, Middx (in 1948 & 69). In 1971, they also made audio and power transformers.

ACE – Associated Cine Equipment Ltd, 353 Bexley Road, Erith, Kent (in 1952). Maker of ACE tape recorder.

ms660 · 1st Apr 2020, 10:20 am

Able Engineering Co. Ltd. Singer Street, EC2. ?

Were into transformers apparently.

?

Lawrence.

Lucien Nunes · 1st Apr 2020, 10:45 am

I think you've got it. Associated Electronic Engineers, so AEE not AEC.
Ths ad touts the advantages of their distinctive and sturdy frame construction which is present on all the transformers in question:
AEE transformer ad in Grace's Guide
I can't immediately find pics of similar transformers elsewhere, although at least one Astronic amplifier has transformers (of a more basic construction) dipped in varnish of identical appearance.

The location is also promising, about 6 miles from where the amplifier was made. The factory was well equipped and moderately self-sufficient, however when they did use subcontractors they seem to have favoured local firms, so AEC fits the bill.

I'm mainly interested to discover to what level of detail they were specified by the OEM and whether they were used in any other products. From the labelling they are fully custom items and many of the mains transformers have application-specific taps and windings. However, considering the popularity of the M-O output tetrodes of the day, it would seem to have been needless to specify a custom OPTX, apart perhaps from the extended low frequency performance.

Thanks to all who have contributed; if anyone has any more info on AEE's wound products or pics of similar examples they would be very interesting to compare.

30th Mar 2020, 10:35 pm	#1
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Identifying transformer maker from logo I have a mental blank on this, I am sure I knew the name of the company that made this choke... Allied something? Google and Grace's guide are not helping and I'm not near my study. Thanks in advance Attached Thumbnails

30th Mar 2020, 11:46 pm	#2
trobbins Heptode Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 901	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo Perhaps Automatic Electric Europe, they go back a long way ?

31st Mar 2020, 8:47 am	#3
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,323	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo My interpretation of the logo is AEC ltd. If you take the middle letter to be an E which uses the horizontal line of the A as part of an E, then the lower symbol is not the same - the center line, if it's an E, is shorter and offset upwards. That's why I think it's a C. What has the transformer come from? Any clue there?

31st Mar 2020, 10:09 am	#4
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo It's unlikely to be American Electric Components 'cos it's Ltd not Inc. Maybe Associated Equipment Company (of Bus and Lorry fame) produced odd stuff during WW2? There is an AEC Power Control outfit in Scotland, but that sounds too recent. Maybe it was just a custom wind for AEC (of Bus and Lorry fame)? __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

31st Mar 2020, 4:15 pm	#5
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo 99.9% certainly British made, for a London-based OEM who built their own amplifier chassis into their musical instruments. I think I have examples from about 1948 to 1965, with a total production over that period on the order of 3000 units. The mains TX, chokes, O/P TX were all from the same maker.

31st Mar 2020, 7:14 pm	#6
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,857	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo It does look to be a really nicely made transformer. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

31st Mar 2020, 7:47 pm	#7
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo They do seem pretty robust. The OP's ought to be HiFi but I've never actually had cause to measure them. Any limitations at the top end are usually vastly overshadowed by limitations elsewhere; the full power needs to go all the way down and then some, so you don't get a lot of watts per lb. The amps they were used on were variously actual triodes, triode-strapped pentodes, pentodes with regulated G2 volts and ~40% UL. More examples (I don't like to show these things off too much for reasons that should be apparent) Attached Thumbnails

1st Apr 2020, 12:01 am	#8
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo Could it be anything to do with Albion? I don't think so, but worth the remark that later amplifiers from the same maker all had Albion wound components. Recognisable by their paper labels, the construction is much more run of the mill, not fully vac impregnated and with captive leads emerging from galvanised shrouds. Searching for a possible relationship between 'AEC' and Albion is hampered by the motor vehicle firms of the same names.

1st Apr 2020, 8:17 am	#9
dazzlevision Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,608	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo Some more possibilities: Associated Electronic Engineers Ltd – sound systems equipment branded Astronic made by Associated Electronic Engineers Ltd, Dalston Gardens, Stanmore, Middx (in 1948 & 69). In 1971, they also made audio and power transformers. ACE – Associated Cine Equipment Ltd, 353 Bexley Road, Erith, Kent (in 1952). Maker of ACE tape recorder.

1st Apr 2020, 10:20 am	#10
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo Able Engineering Co. Ltd. Singer Street, EC2. ? Were into transformers apparently. ? Lawrence.

1st Apr 2020, 10:45 am	#11
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Re: Identifying transformer maker from logo I think you've got it. Associated Electronic Engineers, so AEE not AEC. Ths ad touts the advantages of their distinctive and sturdy frame construction which is present on all the transformers in question: AEE transformer ad in Grace's Guide I can't immediately find pics of similar transformers elsewhere, although at least one Astronic amplifier has transformers (of a more basic construction) dipped in varnish of identical appearance. The location is also promising, about 6 miles from where the amplifier was made. The factory was well equipped and moderately self-sufficient, however when they did use subcontractors they seem to have favoured local firms, so AEC fits the bill. I'm mainly interested to discover to what level of detail they were specified by the OEM and whether they were used in any other products. From the labelling they are fully custom items and many of the mains transformers have application-specific taps and windings. However, considering the popularity of the M-O output tetrodes of the day, it would seem to have been needless to specify a custom OPTX, apart perhaps from the extended low frequency performance. Thanks to all who have contributed; if anyone has any more info on AEE's wound products or pics of similar examples they would be very interesting to compare.