Where do I find this plug?

Well I was taught that a plug, just like 'male' has pins and a socket has holes, just like a 'female' and have found no confusion with that.
That's also how I was brought up, but I think that there are a good few people who regard (and probably always have regarded) something 'free' as a 'plug' and something 'fixed' as a 'socket' - hence, for them, a 'plug' is something 'free' (attached to a cable) which they 'plug into' something 'fixed' (which they therefore regard as a 'socket') - although I'm not sure what they then say about a pair of mated 'free' male and female connectors!

As Jackrae has said, to avoid confusion/ambiguity one needs to indicate both gender and whether 'free' or 'fixed'.

Kind Regards, John
 
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That's also how I was brought up, but I think that there are a good few people who regard (and probably always have regarded) something 'free' as a 'plug' and something 'fixed' as a 'socket' - hence, for them, a 'plug' is something 'free' (attached to a cable) which they 'plug into' something 'fixed' (which they therefore regard as a 'socket') - although I'm not sure what they then say about a pair of mated 'free' male and female connectors!
On that basis an extension lead will have 2 plugs, most on here will happily describe that as a widowmaker. :D

As Jackrae has said, to avoid confusion/ambiguity one needs to indicate both gender and whether 'free' or 'fixed'.

Kind Regards, John
I don't have any issues about adding descriptors if they are meaningful and often use those terms myself.
 
in the audio industry, you get a lot of leads designed to be connected together, in a chain, or inserted into a bit of kit.
So. Free XLR Female/male (no pins/pins). or chassis mount sockets Male/female

think of it as describing a 110v lead. There's a male plug to connect to electricity and a trailing socket to connect to equipment.
 
On that basis an extension lead will have 2 plugs, most on here will happily describe that as a widowmaker. :D
Not really, because, although 'free', the 'female end' of an extension lead is not something that one would 'plug in' to anything ('fixed').
I don't have any issues about adding descriptors if they are meaningful and often use those terms
It certainly is theoretically 'safer'. I'm sure that I am often guilty of calling what's on the female end of a 'mains lead' as being a 'plug' (even though it is a 'free socket') - and I'm equally sure that I'm not alone in that!

Kind Regards, John
 
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in the audio industry, you get a lot of leads designed to be connected together, in a chain, or inserted into a bit of kit.
So. Free XLR Female/male (no pins/pins). or chassis mount sockets Male/female

think of it as describing a 110v lead. There's a male plug to connect to electricity and a trailing socket to connect to equipment.
I am completely lost in your contradictory description.

I have worked in the audio business for well over 50 years and have never EVER heard of a "Chassis mount Male Socket"
 
I have worked in the audio business for well over 50 years and have never EVER heard of a "Chassis mount Male Socket"
That may well be true, and 'correct' - but, as I said, I think you'll find that there are plenty of people who will describe anything 'chassis-mounted' (i.e. 'fixed') as a 'socket', regardless of its gender, with the 'free' thing which one 'plugs into it' (of whichever gender) being a 'plug'.

I don't think, for example, that many people would describe the thing which they 'plug into' their electric kettle (or computer, laptop charger or whatever) as a 'socket', would they?

Kind regards, John
 
Well what can I say to the ignorance of that advert?

I haven't googled for this and I don't intend to waste time on doing so but I'll reiterate I've worked with Audio for about 55 years, Telecoms for 25 years, controls - animatronics - AV - Broadcast radio - 2 way radio - stage & other pro lighting - etc for 30 years and in none of those has anyone ever said that. Chassis or more likely panel plug, Socket, Male, Female, ocassionally receptacle or Jack [which was the early term for socket and still used by some broadcast types]. But never male chassis socket other than in error while requesting and changing their mind, in fact I think anyone recorded using that term would get posted and laughed at.

EDIT: I wouldn't generally use or expect to hear the term free plug or free socket in everyday use in most environments other than electrical where a socket would most likely be wall mounted.
 
Last edited:
https://www.instruments4music.co.uk...mDfG9jxhGvLJ4KFXFkcp8TjnEdSKdVfAaAtYTEALw_wcB

I've got over 40 years of professional audio and video experience along with lighting ranging from touring theatre, receiving house, rock bands and video production . I've built or spec' d recording studios, tv studios, and a couple of theatres.

If dealing with an ADA or DMX distribution system, you have loads of sockets, some male and some female. Any DMX light will have a DMX in and out for the daisychain. You can't refer to them as plugs
 
Oh dear, I pity the Op - jst asked about getting a hard to find replacement and ends up with a long discussion on the semantics of if its a plug or socket..... :(
 
https://www.instruments4music.co.uk...mDfG9jxhGvLJ4KFXFkcp8TjnEdSKdVfAaAtYTEALw_wcB

I've got over 40 years of professional audio and video experience along with lighting ranging from touring theatre, receiving house, rock bands and video production . I've built or spec' d recording studios, tv studios, and a couple of theatres.

If dealing with an ADA or DMX distribution system, you have loads of sockets, some male and some female. Any DMX light will have a DMX in and out for the daisychain. You can't refer to them as plugs
On an ADA I'd expect to find XLR sockets for the I/P's but I'd expect to hear them called: inputs, inlets or 'females' and the opposite is normal for the O/P's. Again I can't think of anybody who has ever deliberatly called the males sockets.

For a DDA or DMX DA there will be a male inlet and females or sockets for the outlets.

If I was replacing a broken 'DMX in' connector on a light fitting and had to ask for the device I'd call it a panel mount XLR plug or male, If I asked for a panel mount XLR socket I'd expect to be presented with the wrong item.
Oh dear, I pity the Op - jst asked about getting a hard to find replacement and ends up with a long discussion on the semantics of if its a plug or socket..... :(
Indeed but OP has come here asking us to identify a device and some will describe it as a plug which according to all of my training , learning and experience is incorrect.

If I went to a supplier and asked for a 13A plug I would expect to be supplied with this:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/diall-13...xrTCOc2K1QUlmYL3z6oaAimhEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
and not this:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-logic...wISuKHMWsBcZWH0XA5IaAi3dEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Both the first hit on Google.
 
It may be incorrect but it doesn't need y'all to take over the thread with a long extended discussion about it.
 

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