Small plugs - Mains Extension Lead

[dazzystar]

Hi All,

Years ago, probably 25 years ago, I had a mains extension lead (8 gang or so) they didn't use the standard UK mains plug. Instead, you cut that off and replaced it with a plug which was much smaller. It was neat and compact. Does anyone know if something exists like this today?

Cheers
Daz

 

[whall3y]

Was it one of these? https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/hp61314/extension-block-iec-6-gang-w-overload/dp/PL15122

 

[Robin0577]

More likely it was one of these. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micromar...830871?hash=item1cf84c3f97:g:6LkAAOSw-npfiCRA
... but I haven't seen them on sale new for years.

 

[dazzystar]

It was the Micromark one...well done...shame not available anymore!

 

[ericmark]

I had some with MANWEB written on them, but the design would not work with the finger shields used today so stopped being made.

 

[endecotp]

I had one of those. Did Maplin sell them perhaps?

In practice:
1. You don’t want to cut the plug off a new gadget straight away in case you will need to return it, so you have a regular extension lead as well “temporarily”.
2. Half the gadgets have a plug-top transformer that needs a regular socket.
3. When you want to move a gadget elsewhere in the house, you have to change the plug back.
4. The plugs were not particularly easy to wire.

 

[mattylad]

If size is important, you can still do this - use one of the computer extensions, has 4 kettle plug sockets (cue Winston saying its not a kettle plug). lol

edit: found the term - IEC lead... (hey I just got up!)
edit again: Found it!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kettle-Multiboard-MultiGang-Extension-Splitter/dp/B00B5E0WVW

 

[Sureitsoff?]

If size is important, you can still do this - use one of the computer extensions, has 4 kettle plug sockets (cue Winston saying its not a kettle plug). lol

edit: found the term - IEC lead... (hey I just got up!)
edit again: Found it!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kettle-Multiboard-MultiGang-Extension-Splitter/dp/B00B5E0WVW

how much!!

 

[whall3y]

If size is important, you can still do this - use one of the computer extensions, has 4 kettle plug sockets (cue Winston saying its not a kettle plug). lol

edit: found the term - IEC lead... (hey I just got up!)
edit again: Found it!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kettle-Multiboard-MultiGang-Extension-Splitter/dp/B00B5E0WVW

As I noted in earlier post --- https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/hp61314/extension-block-iec-6-gang-w-overload/dp/PL15122

 

[StephenOak]

3. When you want to move a gadget elsewhere in the house, you have to change the plug back.

We had a couple of adapters (?) like the Micromark ones, except the four sockets were in a 2x2 grid not a line.

And the reason that @endecotp gives is why we stopped using them.

 

[Sureitsoff?]

how come the six way version is a fifth of the price of the four way

 

[Captain Nemesis]

Powercon distribution blocks/strips if you dont mind them looking a bit industrial.