Old HP test equipment power connectors...

[Brent Hilpert]

On 2015-May-27, at 11:54 AM, Jules Richardson wrote:
> On 05/27/2015 12:03 AM, Chuck Guzis wrote:
>> On 05/26/2015 08:28 PM, Brent Hilpert wrote:
>> 
>>> Like wulfman and chuck and as described on my page, I replace the
>>> chassis inlet whenever I can, although occasionally it's not possible
>>> due to proximity of other chassis elements as the IEC inlet is
>>> slightly larger.
>> 
>> Right now, I'm cursing the guy who thought that the "cloverleaf" or
>> "mouseketeer" power receptacle was a good idea.  I'm sitting here looking
>> at an HP ScanJet wondering if it would be worth the effort to replace it.
> 
> Do you mean IEC 60320 type C5/6, here:
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60320#Appliance_couplers
> 
> ?? That's the connector I was assuming you and wulfman were talking about using as a replacement for the old 163 power connectors - not the common "PC type" connector, because that's much larger and would mean cutting into the original equipment panels so that it would fit.
> 
> I'm thinking it should be possible to drill the rivets holding the original 163 sockets, then make up mounting plates to hold an IEC C6-style socket and rivet/bolt those in place. That's assuming that I don't lay my hands on some original 163-type cables!

For my part, no, I've always replaced them (where doable) with the common IEC C14 chassis inlets. See the bottom of my web page. Yes it does require some cutting of the original, so it depends on whether one wants to do that, and one's will and skill with hand files.

I've never tried the C6 type as I rarely see them anyways. Note the C5/C6 has a considerably lower current rating than the C13/C14, which is presumably why it was introduced as an additional standard.

I keep around a box of C14s scavenged from discarded equipment for the purpose, but I also replace fixed lines cords with C14s whenever I can, because I hate moving and storing equipment with dangling power cords.