2A socket intended for phone use!

[Sureitsoff?]

well this is something I have never seen before!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302475269156?hash=item466cee5424:g:khcAAOSwvg9XUXoz
look like a genuine MK product as well..
I was actually searching for the MK 2A plug but I think I will give this one I did find a miss (check the p&p!!!)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233181672920?hash=item364ab5f5d8:g:37IAAOSwtjlcnRgP

 

[AdrianUK]

That does seem very odd.

I can't see that MK would make the mistake of suggesting that the actual telephone circuit should be routed through a BS546 plug & socket! I wonder if it was intended for mains power to a telephone device - a base for a wireless handset or a PABX perhaps?

Back in the 1970s it was very common for Schools to use 2A BS546 socket outlets for the 100V line speaker system that allowed a 'plug-in' speaker in each classroom to receive the signal from a central radio receiver/amplifier. I remember listening to a schools broadcast of Radio 4 every Thursday morning using that syste,

 

[bernardgreen]

It is not a telephone line socket but normally was used to indicate the socket was intended to supply mains for a small telephone switchboard

 

[JohnW2]

That does seem very odd. .... I can't see that MK would make the mistake of suggesting that the actual telephone circuit should be routed through a BS546 plug & socket! I wonder if it was intended for mains power to a telephone device - a base for a wireless handset or a PABX perhaps?

I agree. Furthermore, whoever (I'm sure not MK!) who wrote:

... Accepts standard BS 546 2 amp 2 pin + earth plug where 2 pins are used for telephone circuits and the earth pin is used to ensure correct polarity.

... does not seem to have understood that polarity doesn't matter for 2-wire phone connections

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

does not seem to have understood that polarity doesn't matter for 2-wire phone connections

There is still some telecoms equipment that is polarity sensitive. but yes the majority of telephones and ADSL modems ( routers ) will work what ever the polarity.

 

[Jackrae]

At one time telephone circuits were shared between two subscriber properties. The polarity of the connection provided isolation between subscribers. If you reversed polarity you could listen in on the other party's conversations

 

[bernardgreen]

On a party line you could always listen in to the other party. Polarity was critical on party lines ( Shared service ) as the ringing current for the bells was applied across Earth and one wire of the pair. ( On a normal line ringing current is across the pair and no Earth is required ).

To make a call one wire of the pair had to be momentarily connected to Earth before the exchange provided dial tone. Which wire was Earthed determined which party wanted to make a call and therefore who should be charged for the call. Reversing polarity meant your call was charged to the other person's bill

 

[danechip]

I always thought they were for table lamps. An educational day (If I remember it when sober).

 

[opps]

I always thought they were for table lamps. An educational day (If I remember it when sober).

Sobriety is vastly over rated. And, yes, I am in the pub...

 

[JohnD]

You could use them for lamps, sometimes found in an old house, but 5A 3-pin is usual

 

[danechip]

This type, and another with round pins. I think that was the plug type in the 40's ? Same sort of size.

 

[danechip]

Sobriety is vastly over rated. And, yes, I am in the pub...

I'm doing well actually. Had a can on my b'day last Tuesday and then it was New years eve and day. Smoking last fag was Halloween. Really trying to sort my $h1t out. Just awake too much.

 

[wundaboy]

I seem to recall the 2 amps being used for PA systems quite regularly in some circumstances too, particularly when there were 100 volt lines. The chapel my grandparents went to used one to plug in the microphone on the lectern.

Lots of opportunities for big bangs in the days when 2 amp plugs and sockets were more common on mains supplies!

 

[opps]

I'm doing well actually. Had a can on my b'day last Tuesday and then it was New years eve and day. Smoking last fag was Halloween. Really trying to sort my $h1t out. Just awake too much.

If it makes you feel any better... I gave up smoking about 5 years ago. I have been eating about 20 nicotine gums a day since I gave up smoking.

Best of luck.

 

[SUNRAY]

Back in 50's/60's we used to use 2A 2P for loudspeakers and 5A 2P for mains and most of our cables were 15-20m long. However we always carried spare plugs/sockets and knocked up some 2A to 5A adapters when we needed extra speaker cable, those adapters remained with our kit and even multiplied over the years...