Electric Plugs

[Richard1978]

Up to the early 1990s most electrical equipment wasn't sold with a plug on, so you had to either buy one from the same shop or recycle one from something that had been disposed of.

Being able to wire one correctly was considered a challenge, especially if the flex wasn't cut to size. Also most came with a 13 Amp fuse so you needed to keep a stock of 3 & 5 amp fuses that were a better rating.

Also of note were the brands like Volex, MK, Ever Ready, Ashley, WG, Micromark etc. normally moulded into the front of the plug.

Eventually plugs started to be moulded on so they are almost a thing of the past.

[Arran]

Re: Electric Plugs

The reason why electrical equipment was sold without a plug was because of the diversity of sockets in use in Britain in decades gone by.

[Twocky61]

Re: Electric Plugs

I actually managed to wire two appliances into one plug

All you have to do is wire to live wires into one metal peg & the same with the other two wires and you can run two appliances on that one plug

Probably not to be recommended

[Richard1978]

Re: Electric Plugs

The reason why electrical equipment was sold without a plug was because of the diversity of sockets in use in Britain in decades gone by.

As well as the older round pin plugs, there were D&S & Wylex connections before the current layout became standard.

Some non-domestric sockets still exist, used for specialist electric supplies.

[Arran]

Re: Electric Plugs

There was even a plug that was inserted into a light fitting instead of a bulb. They got banned for safety reasons but some people lament this ban because they were useful for making light fittings removable.

[George 1978]

Re: Electric Plugs

I am glad that electric appliances are fitted with a plug these days. When I was younger I had anxiety problems at the thought of having to wire a plug, even though my science teacher (and my father who had been a qualified electrician when he was younger) often wired a plug, making sure that the Live, Earth and Neutral were wired correctly.

I think that companies had this "batteries not included" attitude to supplying plugs with electrical items, although the Health and Safety aspect thankfully overrules this attitude, and I think from around 1988, it was compulsory for fitted plugs to be sold with electrical appliances. It was around the same time that warnings on flammable furniture was put in place.

[darren]

Re: Electric Plugs

Must say im glad plugs are fitted on appliances now too.

Im sure if i had to i could wire one up.

but i remember at school in the late eighties i think we were all given a plug to wire up.

How long have appliances etc been fitted with a plug.

[Richard1978]

Re: Electric Plugs

I was discussing with my Dad when plugs had to be fitted, we seemed to roughly guess it was between 1990 & 92.

I've got a feeling there was a period when some makers fitted them while other didn't. I have some things that came with a plug fitted but they aren't moulded on. I think some shops might have fitted them.

[Mulletino]

Re: Electric Plugs

I did my apprenticeship at MK Electric, they made quality plugs/sockets/etc.

Got some great memories from that time.

[battyrat]

Re: Electric Plugs

We still have a draw full of old plugs just in case.

[marc]

Re: Electric Plugs

Most domestic electric appliances come with a moulded sealed plug. How many perfectly good appliances have been thrown away because the plug has been broken? My friend, a qualified electrician, told me years ago, if the plug gets broken just cut the wire and put another plug on it. Just make sure the correct fuse is in it.

The wiring of a plug is now easy. Colours refer to UK.

The blue (neutral) wire goes to the left pin. BLUE=B(bottom) L(left)
The brown (live) wire goes to the right pin. BROWN=B(bottom) R(right)
The green and yellow (earth) goes to the centre (top) pin. This is the most important wire to be connected properly. Connect it to the wrong pin, YOU WILL MAKE THE APPLIANCE LIVE.

Anybody remember the old wire colours (UK)?

Black (neutral). That went on the left pin. BLACK=B(bottom) L(left)
Red (live). That went on the right pin. RED=R(right)
Green (earth). That went on the centre pin.

I'm not sure when the change of wire colours happened, but I think it was in the 1970s.

[Twocky61]

Re: Electric Plugs

Some appliances (more so cookers which can only nowadays be fitted by a qualified electrician) you can wire directly into a flat panel on the wall rather than by plugging into an electrical socket. Only trouble with that is you can't move the appliance from where it is wired in

[George 1978]

Re: Electric Plugs

Reminds me of that PIF with the stupid man with a drill putting matchsticks in the socket with the wires connected to it. That was enough to scare anyone into plugging anything into a socket.

[Richard1978]

Re: Electric Plugs

Reminds me of that PIF with the stupid man with a drill putting matchsticks in the socket with the wires connected to it. That was enough to scare anyone into plugging anything into a socket.

I was thinking about that recently, it's on one of the Charley Says compilations.

[marc]

Re: Electric Plugs

Some appliances (more so cookers which can only nowadays be fitted by a qualified electrician) you can wire directly into a flat panel on the wall rather than by plugging into an electrical socket. Only trouble with that is you can't move the appliance from where it is wired in

Actually, I was referring to things like a microwave, toaster Etc. not an electric cooker.