Leitz Prado 500 slide projector plug wiring

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Leitz Prado 500 slide projector plug wiring - Which is positive(live)

semigeek

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#191929 21-Feb-2016 12:29

I picked up an old Leitz Prado 500 projector yesterday, but unfortunately someone cut most of the cord off of the plug, opening the plug up, there are two very short pieces of wire remaining - one white and one black. I want to put another cord on to the plug so I can see if the projector works, but which of the wires is positive? Does anyone know?

andrewNZ

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#1496533 21-Feb-2016 13:19

What sort of plug?

Does it fit in either way round?
If it does it doesn't matter.

Fred99

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#1496534 21-Feb-2016 13:34

It's probably over 1/2 century old. Even if it doesn't matter which is phase and neutral, I'd be careful - pull the thing apart and have a close look at the state of the wiring inside, as from your description it doesn't have an earth.

If there's a power switch and/or fuse in the device, that would normally be connected from the phase pin on the plug. If the bulb is typically for that age one with a centre pin, then that centre pin would normally be phase. Even if it all looks good, I think I'd first fire it up "gingerly" only on an RCD protected circuit, after at minimum testing for any leakage from either pin to the metal case of the thing, and also look for clues in case it was a 110/120V appliance - not 230V, just in case the fan motor might emit smoke, and the lamp emit one bright short-duration flash. If there's no external marking to tell you, then the bulb and fan motor may have voltage rating marked on them. Make sure the fan motor turns freely.

I'd have in the back of my mind the thought as to why somebody might have cut off the cord - that may have well been that they wanted to render it inoperative, as they'd had one of those very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous experiences that unsafe old 230v appliances can give.

semigeek

1606 posts

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#1496547 21-Feb-2016 13:51

andrewNZ: What sort of plug?

Does it fit in either way round?
If it does it doesn't matter.

It's this plug, the wire is actually grey, not white, but yes, it plugs in either way round

Hopefully the link works

http://1drv.ms/1SYVgZ7

richms

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#1496550 21-Feb-2016 14:03

Fred99:

I'd have in the back of my mind the thought as to why somebody might have cut off the cord - that may have well been that they wanted to render it inoperative, as they'd had one of those very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous experiences that unsafe old 230v appliances can give.

Cutting the plug off is normal for appliance disposal where you are not going to test and tag it etc. Part of one of the standards for appliance testing.

Richard rich.ms

Fred99

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#1496567 21-Feb-2016 14:26

richms:

Fred99:

I'd have in the back of my mind the thought as to why somebody might have cut off the cord - that may have well been that they wanted to render it inoperative, as they'd had one of those very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous experiences that unsafe old 230v appliances can give.

Cutting the plug off is normal for appliance disposal where you are not going to test and tag it etc. Part of one of the standards for appliance testing.

Making assumptions is dangerous. Unless known, then anybody could have cut off that cord for any reason.

That projector should be checked by a competent owner (as defined in ECP 50) or electrician before plugging it in.

semigeek

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#1496588 21-Feb-2016 16:02

Fred99:

richms:

Fred99:

I'd have in the back of my mind the thought as to why somebody might have cut off the cord - that may have well been that they wanted to render it inoperative, as they'd had one of those very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous experiences that unsafe old 230v appliances can give.

Cutting the plug off is normal for appliance disposal where you are not going to test and tag it etc. Part of one of the standards for appliance testing.

Making assumptions is dangerous. Unless known, then anybody could have cut off that cord for any reason.

That projector should be checked by a competent owner (as defined in ECP 50) or electrician before plugging it in.

I'm competent, I have wired up new lights, shifted switches etc and had them signed off, plus I have also done an Appliance testing course. I just have never come across black and white(grey) wires on a plug before.. oh and yes, the wiring in the projector is fine and the bulb looks fine too, and it is rated for our voltage and 110v by way of a switch that can be flicked under the fan cover.