13 Amp Plugs/Ring Circuits

[CAWORK]

I have read in several places that the plug mentioned above and circuit came out in 1947. However my grandmothers house was built/wired about that time and had 15 amp sockets (round hole) fitted.

Why was this?

If this is true, I bet all the original square pin outlets were unswitched,dark bakelite with rings wired in rubber sheathed cable?

 

[RF Lighting]

As far as I am aware round pin plugs were still fitted until the mid 50s event though 13A sockets were around, kind of like a bit of a transitional period.

If you have round pin sockets or single brown 13A sockets then the wiring is most likely due for renewing, and could quite feasibly be rubber insulated cable. It is now recommended that all rubber insulated cable should be replaced as soon as possible.

 

[fireman22]

maybe your gran thought those new fangled square pin sockets wouldnt catch on and so she opted for the safe option?

 

[JohnD]

I have read in several places that the plug mentioned above and circuit came out in 1947. However my grandmothers house was built/wired about that time and had 15 amp sockets (round hole) fitted.

Why was this?

If this is true, I bet all the original square pin outlets were unswitched,dark bakelite with rings wired in rubber sheathed cable?

The oldest ones I can remember are surface mounted, single, switched, in brown plastic. And seem rather small.

 

[securespark]

The very first ring system, IIRC, was a Wylex system with non-standard plugs and sockets.

Two flat pins for phases, and round hollow one for cpc.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lot-of-6-Vint...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

The ring final (or ring main as it was then called!!) was brought in post-war when copper was scarce. The idea was to take a piece of cable from the last socket in line, and run it back to the board, thus increasing capacity.

 

[JohnD]

That's a funny looking thing, but it's white so surely not from the late 1940's.

I shall have to see if I've still got the old book I had.

 

[securespark]

Well, they're just an example of what the plug was like. They may well date to the 60's. Not sure when Wylex scrapped this system and the BS1363 came in...anyone know?

 

[securespark]

I bet all the original square pin outlets were unswitched,dark bakelite with rings wired in rubber sheathed cable?

Yes, and surface mounted on wooden pattresses. But they also used lead-sheathed cable.

 

[CAWORK]

maybe your gran thought those new fangled square pin sockets wouldnt catch on and so she opted for the safe option?

Sorry, forgot to mention her house was actually one of many council houses just been built.

 

[CAWORK]

Well, they're just an example of what the plug was like. They may well date to the 60's. Not sure when Wylex scrapped this system and the BS1363 came in...anyone know?

So is that what the late 1940s 13 amp plug looked like? I for some reason thought it looked like todays plug with the cpc pin at the top etc. Its just that I read in the IEE Wiring Matters that the BS 1363 was introduced in the UK in 1947.

 

[JohnD]

No, the 13Amp plug always looked like the 13Amp plug.

The shape has varied, from triangular to a rounded square, the side-grips and finger-protectors have changed, the method of cord-grip varies, and the pins are now generally partially colour-sheathed, but the fit and function is the same. If you find a 60-year-old 13A plug it will still fit a modern 13A socket.

There used to be a lot more different plug and socket designs, varying by manufacturer as well as power rating, but most have fallen into disuse (apart from some examples which are delibereately made incompatible to stop e.g. the cleaner unplugging the life-support machine to put her hoover in).

 

[securespark]

Well, they're just an example of what the plug was like. They may well date to the 60's. Not sure when Wylex scrapped this system and the BS1363 came in...anyone know?

So is that what the late 1940s 13 amp plug looked like? I for some reason thought it looked like todays plug with the cpc pin at the top etc. Its just that I read in the IEE Wiring Matters that the BS 1363 was introduced in the UK in 1947.

That Wylex plug and socket system was the predecessor to the 1363 system, when ring finals were in their infancy.

 

[CAWORK]

JohnD says that a 60 year old 13 amp plug would fit a modern socket but it sounds to me that securespark is saying different. Who is right?

 

[JohnD]

Tee hee!

 

[securespark]

No, I'm not saying different!

I'm saying that as far as I'm aware, Wylex were first on the market with a plug & socket system suitable for the new ring final circuits.

But I freely admit I do not have any dates as to when they launched their gear and when the 1363 system came in.

I have asked them to supply this information, and will let you know.