2 Prong Small Appliance Cord

[kskenmore]

When did they stop making small appliances that used these universal 2 prong power supply cords?

It is so nice to have one cord plugged into the outlet that I can use for my early 80's West Bend egg cooker, 1950's Sunbeam Instant Tea kettle, and 1960's Presto percolator.

 

[iej]

European appliances used to use similar 2-pin, often with a scraping side ground contact, appliance connectors a bit like that too.

https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/ApplConn_classic2.html

I guess some newer appliances use IEC connectors (similar to back of a PC) but most, other than electric kettles, seem to just have non-removable cords

I guess there's limited usefulness in being able to remove the cord.

Bosch dishwashers here now come with a snap-in cord with something that seems to be derived from a type of IEC connector, which I think is to get around the issue with different plugs in European 230V 50Hz markets i.e. most countries using CEE 7 (Schuko or its French variant) but some odd ones like the UK and Republic of Ireland have a 3 rectangular pin plug that contains a fuse and Switzerland, Italy and Denmark use their own versions of 3 pin plugs.

So they just put the correct cord in a bag and you snap it in, but it can only be removed again with a tool.

UK/IE BS1363 and European CEE 7/7 grounded plugs on Bosch/Siemens cables

 

[iej]

Full information on the history of them:

https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/ApplConn_overview.html
Including some old US types.

 

[perc-o-prince]

You need a....

Westinghouse power center! 2 retractable cords and 2 outlets, one on the timer, and all 4 protected by little circuit trippers (breakers?)!

Chuck

 

[iej]

That was for timing coffee pots ?

 

[cadman]

I believe you can still buy those 2-prong cords news, even the heavier wattage version, but due to cost, most manufacturers have gone to an integrated design.

 

[rp2813]

Yes, those two prong "percolator" cords are available on line, and I've seen them at ACE too.

 

[kskenmore]

Westinghouse

Omg I do need one of those Westinghouse Power Centers!! What a great idea! When everyone had a number of small appliances operated by these same cords. I also love being able to store these appliances without an attached cord going everywhere and taking more space.

 

[perc-o-prince]

James, I would think the timer would have been for anything you wanted it to be, but probably morning coffee would make the most sense. Though, considering the number of perks that took the 2 prong design of the retractable cords, I wonder why they didn't put the timer on one of those?

Chuck

 

[turquoisedude]

I think there was a selector switch on the Westinghouse control centre units that allowed you to choose which cord or outlet was controlled by the timer.  I have one (a NIB unit) that's down at the other house so I can't check...dagnabbit!

 

[perc-o-prince]

"Made ya look"

What was the saying when we were kids and made someone look at something? "Made ya look ya dirty crook" or something like that?

I took a look and it doesn't appear that ours has such a selector, but who knows... were there other models with other features? It'll be interesting to find out!

We're in the process (about 15 months in) of re-doing the downstairs kitchen where all the retro stuff is, since I got all those Miele deals when the showroom closed. The wall with the Westy center is the final wall because we want to keep 2 kitchens available in case we need to quarantine apart for a few weeks, so it's on further hold because the cooktop is on that wall. I don't know that we'll install it again because as far as I remember, the only things we've plugged into it are the Sunbeam C-30 or 50 (Rich uses the Miele now) and the egg poacher/cooker (he poaches on the stove now). But we'll definitely be re-installing the Nutone in-counter unit, so who knows!

Chuck

 

[launderess]

There are still certain small kitchen appliances made with detachable power cords as seen in OP's picture.

Coffee pot, griddles, fry pans, etc... Especially those designed to be immersible or otherwise cleaned with water.

Where you don't see them are for things like clothes irons where it was determined such cords were a safety hazard. This was because when an iron fell people were likely to grab the cord to prevent. With a detachable cord obviously that didn't work because the thing just came away.

 

[iej]

I wonder did it come from the old days of quite fragile cords too? The old rubber insulation and cloth covered cords had a finite lifespan, especially on irons. Having a detachable cord may have made sense if they were a regular point of failure.

Vacuum cleaners here used to commonly have a detachable cord. The last ones I remember seeing them on were the Nilfisk GM 90s from the 1980s and you will still see them on commercial machines.

Older Nilfisks had two blades angled like this : / / and the later models had a 2 pin IEC connector, same setup as a computer monitor power cable, just without the ground pin.

Some skillets, hotplates and so on have a removable thermostatic probe and cord and I’m pretty sure that’s the same in the USA too.

You get the odd appliance with an IEC cord, like the Elna Press I have has one of those. Electric kettles all used to use them before the became “cordless”. Most now sit into base. I’ve an old Tefal toasted sandwich maker that had that setup too.

 

[launderess]

My Elna Press has a detachable cord as well. But remember they are meant to be stored standing upwards, something not possible if cord is left attached.

My other press is a vintage Hurley Ironer Press, and cord is permanently attached on side of unit. Thus you can store it standing upright without issues.

 

[iej]

Lawnmower / garden tool connector

This is what we would typically have on the end of a lawnmower, strimmer (weed whacker), leaf blower, hedge trimmer etc etc

It would typically have a very short orange cable like maybe 3 inches long with a plug like this (or a moulded one usually) and the orange, long cable has the socket on the other end.

The logic is if you pull the cable the coupling will break apart easily.

 

[sarahperdue]

Yes, I do need

Love that Westy power center.

I have the clock timer with my roaster oven and have used it with a coffee maker. (Usually a Sunbeam C30)

Now there's another thing that I need to have.

Ssrah