Weird wall sockets

[boothdom]

Hi all,

I currently doing a bit of a renovation on a 1940s-ish house and I've found these in a couple of rooms. I've no idea what they're for. If anyone has any idea what they're for and what to do with them I'd be most grateful.

Many thanks in advance,

Dom

 

[AndyPRK]

maybe for a clock or light.

What colour are the wires inside?

 

[StephenOak]

They are clock connectors, see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:UK_Clock_Connector_3_pin_Open.JPG
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MK0995.html

They are, as you can see, still available but, AFAIUI, they were mainly fitted in the '30s to early '50s. Normally you see them over the mantelpiece and they were used to supply a small amount of power to drive an electric clock. Of course they could be used to power anything with the right requirements.

 

[boothdom]

Wow, that's them.

Ok thanks, that's really interesting. I suppose my next question would be what to do with them? Am I right in thinking that this is a different low power circuit that the normal plugs? I couldn't replace it with a normal plug socket?

If so would the neatest thing be to terminate the wires in a suitable connecting block and then put a blank plate over it?

Thanks again,

Dom

 

[AndyPRK]

It's normal voltage.
You could fit 5A round pin sockets if you want.
Try and fit out what size fuse they are connected to

They maybe useful for lights? Would it be a good place for lights to plug in

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I currently doing a bit of a renovation on a 1940s-ish house

Unfortunately so did a numpty who loved there before you:

If that was his idea of what constituted acceptable work you should prepare yourself for any number of horrors.

Am I right in thinking that this is a different low power circuit that the normal plugs?

Don't know.

What size cable(s) have been used, what rating is the fuse/MCB, is the circuit RCD protected and does it actually have a functioning earth?

 

[boothdom]

Unfortunately so did a numpty who loved there before you:

If that was his idea of what constituted acceptable work you should prepare yourself for any number of horrors.

Ok, thanks. Care to expand a little on what's quite so horrific?

Cheers,

Dom

 

[AndyPRK]

maybe he didn't like the paint splatter.
These days they don't even bother to unscrew them!

 

[JohnD]

interesting cable colour.

 

[333rocky333]

Ok, thanks. Care to expand a little on what's quite so horrific?

Cheers,

Dom

Looks like the Earth wire is Blue instead of G/Y .
Hard to tell what colour L and N is due to the Grey sheath of what looks like Double insulated singles.
Unlikely but theres a possibility they are not mains voltage and as you say there is a few of them, they may be part of a "Pulse" system, where you had 1 master clock and the others are slave.
Though for safety assume they may be mains voltage.

The point of them outlets was that they are slim enough to go behind the clock.

 

[mattylad]

Shock horror!
No one has commented on the lack of a grommet and earth wire for the back box yet....

 

[AndyPRK]

They didn’t fit grommets back then.

Or earth links. Didn’t even have an Earth terminal in them old boxes

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Or earth links. Didn’t even have an Earth terminal in them old boxes

The boxes were earthed via the accessory.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Ok, thanks. Care to expand a little on what's quite so horrific?

Looks like the Earth wire is Blue instead of G/Y .

Assuming that blue wire is an earth, and not something else which someone decided to connect to the earth terminal.

 

[mattylad]

May be earthed via the socket screws but from what I see y'all frown upon that and insist upon a separate link from the accessory to the backbox.
And absolutely must have a grommet, otherwise grommet manufacturers would go out of business

Bit late now though.