Mains test connector block - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Circuitous
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 12:14:01 am
content: I see these neat mains power connectors being used a lot in UK videos, is anything similar available in the US or Canada?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 12:21:28 am
content: RS has them and no doubt E14/Farnell too.They are quite nice and a buddy has his set up on a multi-wattage switchable dim bulb tester.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 12:41:03 am
content: It looks remarkably safer than what I used to use. When I was a kid I used to use these:You just poked the wires under the pins and screwed on the top. If you were being careful you might have looped the wires under the strain relief hooks.I had two of them at least, inherited from the "old days". I wish I still had them, but I think they are lost now.(There was of course no earth or ground connection in the old days. All mains appliances were connected with two core flex.)

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 01:53:46 am
content: Quote from: IanB on January 10, 2016, 12:41:03 amDid you realise the hinged cover is also a switch?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 02:34:51 am
content: Quote from: tautech on January 10, 2016, 01:53:46 amYes, of course. I've seen Clive using it a lot.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 03:17:57 am
content: Quote from: IanB on January 10, 2016, 02:34:51 amRS # 811-2274http://nz.rs-online.com/web/p/mains-test-blocks/8112274/Manufacturer: Cliff Electronicshttp://nz.rs-online.com/web/c/connectors/mains-iec-connectors-accessories/mains-test-blocks/

author: Circuitous
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 03:42:33 am
content: Thanks for the replies, just what I'm looking for.Now, to find it in the US.

author: matseng
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 03:52:27 am
content: Available from Newark/Farnell/Element14 for a mere $61....http://www.newark.com/cliff-electronic-components/cl1850/electrical-tester/dp/68C8457

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 11:06:42 am
content: Wrong colors for the USA, time to get the spray paint out.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 01:08:48 pm
content: Or just make one with croc clips, and a hinged cover with a switch to isolate when open.The reason these were common in the UK is that up until the late 1970s (maybe early 80s) , it was normal for appliances in the UK to come without mains plugs, so they were very common in repair shops and even at retail counters for testing new products.The two common types were the "safebloc", similar to the ones you still see and the more stylish looking "keynector",which had larger levers and instead of a cover, a latch that went into the back to turn it on and prevented the keys being pressed down when on. The keynector was more satisfyingly dangerous as there was much less clearance between the contact and the outside due to the lack of the cover.This was a hang-over from when the UK transitioned from using round pin plugs to the current 13A style. This continued way longer than it needed to as manufacturers didn't want the extra cost of fitting plugs, the argument being that the customer may have old style sockets.It only stopped when legislation was introduced due to several deaths caused by wrongly wired plug.There is still a small hang-on from this period in that the ability to "wire a plug" is used as a basic measure of electrical competence.

author: djQUAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 01:17:40 pm
content: Quote from: matseng on January 10, 2016, 03:52:27 amBuy one with an included cable and plug and it's $54.http://www.newark.com/cliff-electronic-components/cl1860/lead-quicktest-euro-plug-1-5m/dp/87R0064?MER=ALT_N_L5_TestEquipment_None

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 01:19:09 pm
content: Quote from: djQUAN on January 10, 2016, 01:17:40 pmNo it's not. UK stock.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 02:20:16 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on January 10, 2016, 01:08:48 pmThe only drawback to the modern one is that it's very difficult to get the lid closed with 4mm plugs inserted into the clips!

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 02:26:53 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on January 10, 2016, 01:08:48 pmIf it's any consolation our plugs are pretty well marked and people routinely get it wrong. Having said that I still play gigs in pubs and its not uncommon to find GPO's incorrectly wired too. Always carry a meter and test before putting lips to mic.

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 02:10:08 am
content: I thought that this type of temporary connector had disappeared a few years ago, so I am pleased to see that they are available.The 'Keynector' type is, in my opinion, more safe because it is easier to flip the 'switch' back if there is any pressing reason to disconnect the circuit. The 'SafeBloc' type is difficult to do with one hand.My Keynectors have long since been borrowed and stolen so I have a SafeBloc with a momentary contact large double pole push switch in series (converted industrial STOP switch) useful when powering up repaired equipment for the first time.At my first workplace the Keynectors were known generically as 'Lennies' for obvious reasons.BT

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 10:27:40 am
content: This is fantastic. I was looking for some suggestions of how to do AC test boxes and I found a photo of this, but couldn't get any further info. Low and behold a few days later it appears on the forum with good info on who makes it, what it's called and where to get it.I'm needing to make up a test box for my zimmer power meter, if anyone has any suggestions, I'd before than willing to listen.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 05:35:31 pm
content: Quote from: BurningTantalum on January 11, 2016, 02:10:08 amUnless it's screwed down - I think the designers made the mistake of assuming it would be screwed down. Keynectors are certainly easier to use 'loose', though it's easier to accidentally clamp the insulation instead of the conductor.One disadvantage of the Keynector is it was made from thermosetting plastic (like wall sockets) so would break (somtimes leaving a dangerous exposed connection) if it fell on the floor

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 05:41:05 pm
content: The last time I saw one of those someone had stolen the mains plug from it.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 07:20:25 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on January 11, 2016, 05:35:31 pmI'm not sure if it has changed but the one I have, which is pretty old, has only a thin PVC insert on the bottom for insulation, not very well secured by some brass screws.... I really must get around to screwing it down to something.

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 07:57:26 pm
content: In the 70s I was an avid reader of radio and electronics magazines from the US (Radio Electronics, Popular Electronics).There was a repair section, where the authors referred often to a "Fool Killer".Further investigation revealed it was a mains cable with a plug on one side and two crocodile clip on the other...I needed something similar for quick testing power transformers with flying leads.I did't know the Cliff existed, so I built a Fool Killer, and after I "refined" the design by replacing the clips with an insulated speaker connector, the one with red and black spring loaded terminals.Sorry, I cannot find it now for a photo, but I'm sure it is somewhere in the lab.