History of Australian Socket-Outlets I refer you to https://cool386.com/plug/plug.html where " The origins of the Australian Plug" is discussed.
I am "in disunion" with a North American site as to the virtues/benefits of their Socket-Outlet connectors versus the rest of the world - including Australia.
(https://www.diychatroom.com/threads/...2#post-6695530 )
While Australia "adopted" the now standard 3-Pin Socket-Outlet in the 1930s, does any one have evidence or examples of any such "early" devices and their "rear connections".
The reason that I ask is that it is so obvious that the existing North American "allowed" devices with unprotected external screw-heads would (probably) not be allowed if introduced in Australia or most countries today - including North America
(One North American example is https://images.saymedia-content.com/...sting-one.webp )
My recollection goes back only to after WWII.
Does anyone have any recollection/evidence that any of the 3-pin socket-outlets based on the US design and installed in Australia were ever so ill-constructed or, were they made better - from the start?
this page brings back a lot of memories of my grand parents place when i was a kid.Originally Posted by FrodoOne
that double light socket, first image, i picked up one 10 years ago and still in use at one of my places for a second light globe 5 metres away from socket to give more light on verandah.
and i reckon i can remember using a toaster like that as well when i was a kid staying with them.
My question related to the "design" of the wiring side of some "old" Australian socket-outlets as compared to the North American design of their socket outlets up to the present day.
The photo on the left shows an Australian socket outlet in a double gang "wall plate", which is of the same dimensions as some used in North America to this day.
The "single gang" wall plate used in both Australia and North America today can accommodate two "Dual" Socket-Outlets.
However, the construction of the North American "Duplex" outlet is like this
with relatively "exposed" terminals on both sides, even when the connections are "screwed down" - and only a single "solid" conductor may be used under each screw.
(Because of this, a number of "auxiliary" connectors are often required in North America and they are usually of the "screw-on" type, not used (allowed ?) in Australia.)
In contrast, the connection of an Australian Dual socket-outlet has the screws "recessed" when screwed-down and a number of solid or stranded conductors twisted together may be terminated together.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...let_Wiring.jpg
(In this it is similar to most BS 1363 socket outlets)
The question to which I am seeking an answer is
"were any Australian 3-Pin socket-outlets (such as that shown on the Left of the first group of photos) ever constructed in a manner similar to the "exposed screw" North American "product" or
were they always constructed with screws much more "recessed" than that."
While I believe the latter to be the case, I now have no examples of the single early socket-outlet in the "Two Gang" wall-plate illustrated above, although I grew up after WWII in a house which had many of them.
I would appreciate it if anyone who has examples of such "products" in their possession could post photographs of the wiring side of these on this site.
Better still, they may consider posting such photographs of "historic" interest on
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/C...S_3112_sockets
Anyone may post photographs on such sites but the photos must be the work of the poster and not copies of the work of any other.
Even the oldest GPO I have pulled out, always had protected screws that connected the N & A.
Here are some I found online, these look to be very old and have mostly have recessed screws for the N & A.
I am surprised the US still uses this old style connection methods for the GPO, I would have thought they would have updated this to at least 2nd world standards.
Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir
I remember bakelite plug tops (possibly Marcolite, HPM, Clipsal and Elmaco brands) that had exposed screws for the wiring terminals. Once plugged in the screws became inaccessible, but there were no barriers between the terminals which must have caused some excitement with loose wires from time to time.
Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it necessary, it is true, does it improve on the silence? - Baba
When wiring them it was necessary to take care to twist the stands of wire tightly together and not leave any loose strands not under the screw head.
That one is interesting and I have never seen anything like that before.Even the oldest GPO I have pulled out, always had protected screws that connected the N & A.
Here are some I found online, these look to be very old and have mostly have recessed screws for the N & A.
I am surprised the US still uses this old style connection methods for the GPO, I would have thought they would have updated this to at least 2nd world standards.
What would be the purpose of the three "items" in the top row?
There are three pairs of "screw holes" on the rear so something(s) could be mounted there.
However, it would appear to be necessary to drill and file the "spaces," since it does not look as though the plastic could be removed easily.
Were they perhaps for "pilot" lights - or push-buttons?
Positions for indicator neons.
And not plastic, they were made out of Bakelite, plastic came along later.
Last edited by droog; 27th May 2022 at 07:27 PM. Reason: Correction
The knockouts would be for a pilot light, you can see the "pilot" connection point on the back picture at the top, not sure why there would be three in the one panel ?
Perhaps there was also an option for additional switch or two
I call them knockouts, but you wouldn't have been able to knock them out as they are made of bakelite which needs to be drilled and filed to get them out, as it doesn't break cleanly.
An interesting side note, Bakelite contained Asbestos from 1909 to 1974, until it was banned, so drilling and filing was probably not a good idea in hindsight !!!!
Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir
hmm, didn't know that one. wasn't alive then though.
One could argue that "Bakelate" is an early "Plastic" - often reinforced with other materials.
The word "Plastic" originally meant
capable of being molded or modeled
capable of adapting to varying conditions : PLIABLE
capable of being deformed continuously and permanently in any direction without rupture
Also,
"Polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, better known as Bakelite, was the first plastic made from synthetic components.
It is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin, formed from a condensation reaction of phenol with formaldehyde."
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakelite)
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