Quad ESL 57s

[Pharos]

Personally I would try to avoid the original Bulgins if possible. I remember when working with the MoD in '79 that they were outlawed, the reason being that the casings are Bakelite which is brittle, and if it breaks you can end up with a handful of live terminals.

The quality of the connectors they contain is also rather primitive and crude by today's standards.

But space may be too limited for an IEC, and if you are insistent and determined, I may be able to find some in the loft. I still don't know if you are referring to the 'miniature' or other.

I've just recalled that there is an XLR plug and socket designed specifically for mains input into equipment, and which I put into my A77 many years ago. It is three pinned with fine pins and a red coloured plastic to differentiate it from the normal audio types.

[Ninanina]

When I owned 57's they had their original Bulgin plugs and they seemed fine to me.. however I guess if you could fit in the standard IEC socket/plug that would probably be better suited

[dantheman91]

2 Originals Bought last night at £15 each...

So keeping with the Original Bulgin for Originality

[wee tee cee]

I used a shielded mains cable to cut down on rfi.

Silver or gold plated mk plugs and dare i say it fancy fuses all make a difference.

I found the 57s really benefited from being on balanced mains.

[spendorman]

2 Originals Bought last night at £15 each...

So keeping with the Original Bulgin for Originality

Not too bad, they are a ridiculous price though. I have four, but then I have two pairs of 57's

[dantheman91]

Hi Guys

Are the plugs fairly easy to wire up can i do it myself or do i need to get a proper technician to do it?

Thank you

[walpurgis]

Should be dead easy Dan. Google for details.

[walpurgis]

This any help?

http://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/Bulgin1.html

[dantheman91]

Perfect Geoff - I will be uploading pictures of progress with fitting them

I have found 5A cables....

[Barry]

Hi Guys

Are the plugs fairly easy to wire up can i do it myself or do i need to get a proper technician to do it?

Thank you

The screw terminals within the connector are marked "L", "N" and "E". The cable 'clamp' is rudimentary and would probably not be acceptable by today's standards, so make sure there is no chance the mains cable will suffer being tugged or pulled.

(Incidentally the reason why the Bulgin cable-mounted mains connectors were outlawed by the EU was because the cap can be easily unscrewed, thereby exposing the terminals which might be connected to the mains and hence pose a serious risk of electric shock.)