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Old 25th Aug 2021, 1:42 pm   #201
D7666Nick
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Default 13A plug collectors ?

Hi, I just joined this group, as when I googled for words like "are there any 13 A plug collectors", this was the one interesting useful forum that it returned.

However, after joining, I then found the previous thread on this subject had no messages for over 12 mo, and is now closed. Hence this one.

I've been collecting them for 3-4 years now; being an engineer [not electrical] I squirrel things away "that may come in useful" and I was retaining every 13 A plug when binning appliances. In a clear out I found I had about three dozen of which about two dozen were different, so that was the start point. I am now at 38 and, slowly, incrementing.

Three points, one of which is not realy a serious one, more for amusement :

[1] is there any forum or web site dedicated to this subject - I have failed to find one

[2] so called "Walsall gauge" plugs: the ones with the three pins all rotated by 90 degrees; allegedly, according to web sources, two organisations that used these are the BBC, and LT\LU (i.e. London underground). I have worked for one of these for 15 years now and never yet come across such a plug, and, I do work in the right part of the business that the web sources allege use them. I'm just wondering if this type of plug was a short lived idea that never took off ? I certainly don't have one in my collection.

[3] many a collectors hobby has a technical name derived from Greek or Latin; any suggestion what 13 A plug collecting might be
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Old 25th Aug 2021, 3:11 pm   #202
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Default Re: 13A plug collectors ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by D7666Nick View Post
[2] so called "Walsall gauge" plugs: the ones with the three pins all rotated by 90 degrees; allegedly, according to web sources, two organisations that used these are the BBC, and LT\LU (i.e. London underground). I have worked for one of these for 15 years now and never yet come across such a plug, and, I do work in the right part of the business that the web sources allege use them. I'm just wondering if this type of plug was a short lived idea that never took off ? I certainly don't have one in my collection.
I retired from the BBC 21 years ago after 16 years service. There was one Walsall gauge socket on every workbench (along with around 10 standard sockets.) I never saw it used but I did find a couple of plugs in a drawer which had been removed from equipment. I believe the idea was to prevent plugs "escaping" but the cost of Walsall plugs outweighed the cost of a few losses.

Walsall sockets are (were) found in tube station platforms usually high up on the wall. Not seen them lately though.
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Old 25th Aug 2021, 3:28 pm   #203
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

In the 1960's the Walsall Gauge plugs and sockets were used in the electronics and power labs at college for the 240VDC public mains supply that was still available in Cardiff until the Colchester Avenue power station was decommissioned circa 1970. By then the docks had largely closed and the only remaining customers were the municipal trolleybus system and the University engineering department. The plugs looked just like ordinary white plastic 13A plugs from the rear. I can't remember if they were fused or not, I never bothered trying to take one apart, if only because I did not normally carry a screwdriver in my briefcase.

I certainly remember seeing the sockets on the platforms of the London Transport Central Line station (Chancery Lane) that I used to use in the 2000's. I think they were labelled 110V.

Last edited by emeritus; 25th Aug 2021 at 3:49 pm. Reason: typos, plug appearance added
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Old 25th Aug 2021, 3:56 pm   #204
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

Re. Walsall plugs it is LU I work for, and, I spent a few years on the Central line, and never saw any. However, I am refering to equipment rooms etc where either 110 V and or "clean supply" kit is located, I would not have used anything on platforms or indeed in any public area since would never have need to use them - I must look out for these. Although, of course, from what I interpret, those are sockets, which does not mean there are plugs any more!!!
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Old 25th Aug 2021, 4:02 pm   #205
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

British Gas used the Walsall Gauge plug/socket for 110V power tools in their research labs (at least). My late father was a chemist there and he came across them. The plug was double-pole fused, and I assume the 110V supply came from an isolating transfomer centre-tapped to earth.

I may stll have a plug/socket in the junk box but it would take a lot of finding.
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Old 25th Aug 2021, 8:18 pm   #206
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

Hi Nick.

Not sure if you are aware of the Flameport 'museum', but it's very interesting to browse through the photos and their descriptions.

Hope this info helps
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Old 25th Aug 2021, 9:26 pm   #207
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

"[1] is there any forum or web site dedicated to this subject - I have failed to find one"

Vintage mains plugs and electrical curiosities: https://www.facebook.com/groups/716156685782212
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Old 25th Aug 2021, 9:30 pm   #208
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

The BBC tended to use D&S 13A gear, if I remember rightly.
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Old 25th Aug 2021, 10:17 pm   #209
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

I heard British Rail used one of the non-standard gauges in offices to stop staff using kettles or other non standard equipment. Wandsworth or Wylex comes to mind.

Quite a few non standard plugs & sockets were fitted in early computer rooms so essential equipment had a clean earth or similar special supply & wouldn't be interrupted by cleaning equipment accidentality used on the same circuit & blowing a fuse.
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Old 26th Aug 2021, 9:11 am   #210
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

I remember seeing the Walsall guage sockets in the public areas of undergrounds stations. I assumed it was to allows cleaning or other equipment to be plugged in, but prevent the public using the power. No idea what the public would have plugged in, though.

I seem to remember seeing them at an airport again in public areas.
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Old 26th Aug 2021, 10:54 am   #211
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Smile Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

Hi,
I have this Walsall gauge plug in my bit box, and the socket I found years later at a flea market.
It's marked 'Sainsbury's' and contains some sort of spike suppressor (a VDR perchance?) The body of the plug is deeper than usual to accommodate it.
The various combinations of pins used by Walsall and Britmac are interesting too.
Cheers, Pete.
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Old 26th Aug 2021, 11:38 am   #212
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

Rummaging down my dustbin full of old Bakelite I discovered this kiddies toy from the 1930s. It must have kept them amused for hours attempting to find the right switch combination to light the bulb.
I think it was withdrawn due to the number that managed to stuff their little fingers into the vacant BC sockets.

The second picture shows the Pink and Black Hoover plugs. The Pink one was fitted to the range of cleaners that were released around 1960 in a Pink colour finish. I remember Pink versions of the Senior 652, Constellation and Junior models.

Sandwiched between these is an early example of a shuttered 5 amp to BC adaptor made by the GEC. The disc is spring loaded and pushes down exposing the pins as you push the bulb in. It never caught on?

Add the 10amp iron connector and the switched 5 amp 2 pin plug.
They must have produced every combination known to man! John.
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Old 26th Aug 2021, 4:42 pm   #213
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

Just a couple more BC lamp adaptor plugs. The first two are made of quality turned wood. [Boxwood?] The second is the conventional Bakelite version made in many styles and the third, a first for me, a glazed ceramic version. J.
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Old 26th Aug 2021, 6:28 pm   #214
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Heatercathodeshort View Post

Add the 10amp iron connector and the switched 5 amp 2 pin plug.
They must have produced every combination known to man! John.
Pretty sure that iron connector was the one used on my parents coffee percolator from the 60s.
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Old 26th Aug 2021, 8:06 pm   #215
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

Yes Duncan, they were used on a lot of small appliances including BEST brand coffee percolators and Vac Trix and Goblin vacuum cleaners.

The BEST coffee pot from 1958 is still in regular use. The 1936 PREMIER kettle is brought out when vintage radio guys and girls visit! Both use the 10 amp connector. J.
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Old 29th Aug 2021, 6:15 am   #216
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

I have seen a 2 pole connecter very similar to the 10 amp electric iron connector, but with the pins closer together.
Rated at 15/20 amps, 32 volts. Used for electric irons, small power tools, vacuum cleaners, coffee pots and kettles on board trains and from 32 volt home lighting plants.

32 volts was never much used in the UK, more of a European and USA thing.

I have seen a 32 volt electric sewing machine fitted with such a connector, also a bench mounted grindstone.
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Old 30th Aug 2021, 2:58 pm   #217
D7666Nick
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

Re, Walsall gauge plugs, here in this forum, and asking internally at work in LU, while a number of answers point to the presence and past use, for differing reasons, and to the possible location of sockets, no-one seems to be able to point to any current (pun intended) usage. I am now wondering if they are something that has become obsolete by technical and or legal standards
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Old 31st Aug 2021, 7:10 pm   #218
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Default Re: Any other plug collectors out there?

Historically there were loads of 'odd' plugs/sockets used in specialist applications where it was deemed necessary to stop random devices being plugged into utility power-outlets whose grounding/voltage/phase/frequency may come as a bit of a surprise to the uneducated.

I posted about a "Hubbell" BS196 plug half-a-decade back - see https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=883422
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