Phono-electrical Question

[52089]

That arrangement is not safe and may not be original. Normally, the male plug is part of the system to which power is applied, not to the cord which supplies power. In other words, the female connector is normally the source of power, not the male connector. The reason being, if someone plugs the other end of the cord into a wall socket, the two exposed male pins will have dangerous voltage on them. That arrangement has never been in use in the US, even in the early days.

It is possible you have an aftermarket installation that was done improperly. It would be a good idea to change it out, to make it safer.

Cheers, Russie

I do know of one case where the power cord ends in a male plug that goes to a female socket on the machine. That's the Seeburg 1000 background music system used in offices, factories, and department stores in the 60s and 70s. I had to make a double-male power cord to use mine. I keep one end in a tennis ball I cut open with a warning note attached in case anybody in my house decides to get curious.

[Curt A]

I just don't want my grandkids, or anybody else for that matter, to find out the hard way about the pin end of the cord.

[startgroove]

Good call Kurt!

I'm fairly sure UL would have never passed that arrangement!

[Curt A]

I found the original patent for this socket - Bryant Electrical, Bridgeport, Connecticut (later Westinghouse) March 15, 1904. I removed the socket from my machine and the Bryant Electrical name and patent date was on the back.
This company was one of the pioneer suppliers of electrical devices in the early years of home electricity.

[Curt A]

I finally got the phonograph re-wired with modern electrical lamp cord, a computer socket and a computer pigtail cord. It's safe and works perfectly... even the original bulb still works, with a nice amber glow from a spiral or looped filament.