Powerboard with US style sockets

Jan 10, 2007 15 Replies

I am after a powerboard with US style sockets.



I have a number of US wall-warts (for various things) and they all have the US-style 2 parallel pins. They are all 100-240V so that is not the issue. And I don't want a collection of the Oz-US converter plugs.



So, does anyone know if such a thing is available in Oz?


Bob Small

"Robert Small"

** No powerboard with US style outlets can be legally sold in Aussie.

The reason is very, bloody obvious.

** There are several safety issues.

Not the least is finger contact with the pins.

Then there is the obvious 120 volt appliance plugged into a 240 volt outlet accident.

** Only fool would buy such an illegal device.

...... Phil

buy one off a us website like walmart or somthing, and chop the plug off the lead and attach an aussie one. then mark with "for 240V use only"

i have a jap style power board (round pins) with a aussie plug on it, used with an old stereo system. works well

"Matt2 - Amstereo"

** Any AC plug with " round pins " for the AC voltage is ** NOT ** Japanese and NOT for 120 volts.

See:

formatting link

...... Phil

No, you'll have to buy from eBay or some other O/S seller.

Dave :)

They aren't, in 3 pin versions, and I have looked.

Unfortunately you have to buy them from the US - or from local specialist suppliers, as they are used INTERNALLY in US made commercial equipment such as some Jukeboxes, cinema and Bowling Alley machinery.

Note also that most of the black square USA panel mount inserts i have had experience with are pretty s*it quality, they only contact the plug pin on one side, and the brass leaf that does this tends to break off, resulting in no power, or worse, possible arcing and a possible fire.

However if you want to make your own, the Clipsal No: 403 socket is a 2 pin version of the USA socket, and is readily available from Haymans. (note, this is UNEARTHED, and also it does NOT have the different sized active/neutral pins that are found in a normal USA style wall socket, so some USA plugs MAY NOT fit, unless you file down the larger of the 2 pins.) (for a plug (2 pin) clipsal have the #492 series)

IF you look in their catalogues, you will also find that you could order in an insert (that fits a standard clipsal/hpm (cant remember which) wall plate, and had 2 parallel US style pins. This was in the

1990's, it might not still be available.

I would advise the clipsal items, they will at least be rated at 240v whereas imported items probably won't.

Japanese power sockets are similar to the USA. Round pins are usually found in europe, former USSR etc

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:02:57 +1000, Robert Small put finger to keyboard and composed:

I have two used US-style dual panel sockets (Hubbell P-1945) that you can have for the cost of postage. Contact me via email if you need to see a photo.

These panel sockets are out of a 4-way power board, but they are too closely spaced to accommodate more than one power pack.

- Franc Zabkar

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

What's wrong with purchasing Australian 220V/240V wall warts for your items? They're cheap, well sourced and many are just lying around in the bottom of boxes/drawers waiting to be utilised again. The AC/DC plugs really shouldn't be an issue either, because of their ready availability. You may even be able to pick up a few wall warts from the surplus bin of your local electronics shop, or even from a computer/electronics swap meet for a dollar or so.

"dmm" < Robert Small

** The OP likely has a bunch of REGULATED ( ie SMPS ) plug paks.

Hence the 100 V to 240 V operating range.

...... Phil

get the pliers out and bend the pins, much easier

Thanks Franc for the offer. I have arranged to get one from the US.

Oh, and Kreed, thanks for info about the Clipsal socket

Bob Small

20-30 years ago when every electronics shop carried the sockets, I simply made my own power boards. Not very difficult, and incorporating fuses, filters, surge protection, switches or anything else you desire is easy.

MrT.

I was looking for a UK one and found this . It should suit you too.

"David Segall"

** Hmmm - a Chinese importer operating a mail order business from his home.

Would he *worry* about having the required type approvals ??

..... Phil

How is this any different from running a toaster repair business from a rented flat?

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