ScarboroughSeadog Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I've about given up trying to find an original screw on electrical connector for the 240V penthouse lamp (it has the same 3 pin set up as the 24V penthouse, but with a wider diameter screw fitting. I'm looking at wiring the unit directly to a civvy plug cable , probably using heat shrink solder tubes direct to the pins. Unless someone can point me to the correct lead (?), is anyone able to tell me which of the male pins are live, earth, and neutral? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64EK26 Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Hi I assume it is the grey box you need a connector for, if so, what you need is a Plessey Mk4 coarse thread 3 pin free socket like this Can't remember which pin is which, but this is easy to check. The earth will go to the case, live and neutral will go to the input of the 240V to 24v transformer. PM Me as I do have a spare one Cheers Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G8RPI Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 (edited) Technically those mains connectors are illegal. They are certainly unsafe. This is because the earth connection does not have a positve means (e.g. long pin) to ensure it makes first and breaks last. Ideally they should be replaced with a modern mains connector like an IEC 60320 C13/C14 type as used on computers etc. If you must use them NEVER plug or unplug them with the supply on. Pull the 13A plug first. Put a label next to it saying this and if possible wire lock then in the mated position. The issue is if there is a fault as you can end up with a live box in one hand and a earthed metal plug (or vice versa) in the other as you mate or un-mate them. This is likely to be fatal so while the chance of a fault is low, the consequence is exreme. Robert. Edited February 27, 2023 by G8RPI typo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64EK26 Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 9 minutes ago, G8RPI said: If you must use them NEVER plug or unplug them with the supply on. Pull the 13A plug first. Put a label next to it saying this and if possible wire lock then in the mated position. Totally agree... On the few bits of test kit that have these connectors (AVO CT160 and a Valve Voltmeter), they are permanently fitted. 73 Richard M0YSR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarboroughSeadog Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 2 hours ago, 64EK26 said: Hi I assume it is the grey box you need a connector for, if so, what you need is a Plessey Mk4 coarse thread 3 pin free socket like this Can't remember which pin is which, but this is easy to check. The earth will go to the case, live and neutral will go to the input of the 240V to 24v transformer. PM Me as I do have a spare one Cheers Richard Thanks- it’s the older style penthouse (the oblong green box), I’m aiming to connect direct to the lamp itself. Thanks though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarboroughSeadog Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 32 minutes ago, G8RPI said: Technically those mains connectors are illegal. They are certainly unsafe. This is because the earth connection does not have a positve means (e.g. long pin) to ensure it makes first and breaks last. Ideally they should be replaced with a modern mains connector like an IEC 60320 C13/C14 type as used on computers etc. If you must use them NEVER plug or unplug them with the supply on. Pull the 13A plug first. Put a label next to it saying this and if possible wire lock then in the mated position. The issue is if there is a fault as you can end up with a live box in one hand an a earthed metal plug (or vice versa) in the other as you mate or un-mate them. This is likely to be fatal so while the chance of a fault is low, the consequence is exreme. Robert. A very sobering thought! I’m seeking to make a permanent connection direct to the lamp pins (older style- the oblong green penthouse). Same issue with equal length pins though. I’ll make sure it’s a permanent connection. That said, I’m very grateful you’ve pointed this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarboroughSeadog Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 A very sobering thought! I’m seeking to make a permanent connection direct to the lamp pins (older style- the oblong green penthouse). Same issue with equal length pins though. I’ll make sure it’s a permanent connection. That said, I’m very grateful you’ve pointed this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64EK26 Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 2 minutes ago, ScarboroughSeadog said: Thanks- it’s the older style penthouse (the oblong green box), I’m aiming to connect direct to the lamp itself. Thanks though. Don't think I have seen one of those, a photo would be good Cheers Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarboroughSeadog Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 37 minutes ago, G8RPI said: Technically those mains connectors are illegal. They are certainly unsafe. This is because the earth connection does not have a positve means (e.g. long pin) to ensure it makes first and breaks last. Ideally they should be replaced with a modern mains connector like an IEC 60320 C13/C14 type as used on computers etc. If you must use them NEVER plug or unplug them with the supply on. Pull the 13A plug first. Put a label next to it saying this and if possible wire lock then in the mated position. The issue is if there is a fault as you can end up with a live box in one hand an a earthed metal plug (or vice versa) in the other as you mate or un-mate them. This is likely to be fatal so while the chance of a fault is low, the consequence is exreme. Robert. A very sobering thought! My proposed connection would be permanently made direct to the lamp (same issue with equal length pins though), but many thanks for pointing this out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarboroughSeadog Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 4 minutes ago, 64EK26 said: Don't think I have seen one of those, a photo would be good Cheers Richard 4 minutes ago, 64EK26 said: Don't think I have seen one of those, a photo would be good Cheers Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64EK26 Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 (edited) Hi I see what you mean, just the light... These are designed for a 24V DC supply only. I didn't think there was a mains version. Cheers Richard Edited February 27, 2023 by 64EK26 re-write Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarboroughSeadog Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 2 minutes ago, 64EK26 said: Hi I see what you mean, just the light... These are designed for a 24V DC supply only. I didn't think there was a mains version. Cheers Richard Yes- there is a 240v version, stamped as such (like mine) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64EK26 Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Hi You live and learn..... Cheers Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarboroughSeadog Posted March 5, 2023 Author Share Posted March 5, 2023 I’ve dissembled the unit and C is clearly earth. A goes to the switch. B goes to the bulb. Any thoughts which is live? Consensus seems to be that B is usually the live pin, but there appear to be different protocols. Any thoughts? I’ll be wiring it permanently to a plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david1212 Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, ScarboroughSeadog said: I’ve dissembled the unit and C is clearly earth. A goes to the switch. B goes to the bulb. Any thoughts which is live? Consensus seems to be that B is usually the live pin, but there appear to be different protocols. Any thoughts? I’ll be wiring it permanently to a plug. Commercially if the switch is single pole conventionally Live > fuse / circuit breaker > switch > bulb ( or whatever the load is ) > Neutral. Generally I concur with the posts above for the Plessey or any other connector to as an absolute minimum label to disconnect the supply before separating the connector and better still lock in some way that requires tools to separate. Additional safety would be an earth connection to the metal case independent of the mains input plug / socket. Edited March 5, 2023 by david1212 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G8RPI Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 Live to switch and fuse. If you do it the other way one lamp terminal will be live (with respect to ground) even with the light off). If you are hardwiring the lights make sure you use proper strainrelif for the cable. A compression gland like this:https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-glands/6694654 You need to check that the thread and cable size suit the parts you have. The glands are availble in a wide range of sizes. Robert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarboroughSeadog Posted March 7, 2023 Author Share Posted March 7, 2023 Thanks all- and good point ref the compression gland. Will be permanently wired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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