figure 8 power lead

[Ryu]

I'm looking for extensions to my Toshiba 32" screen power leads. They are figure 8 leads.

Can I use ANY standard figure 8 power lead available at cables4less type websites (they do 5 and 10m versions)

many thanks.

[DazzyD]

My understanding is that you're talking about the type of connectors that were standard on ghetto blasters, radios, and tape players in the '80s. If so, then these should, in theory, be standard earth-/ground-less eletrical power connectors. However, I do recall having two units (can't remember what they were) that used different sizes of connectors so this could be an issue. Looking at these online, though, they do seem pretty uniform nowadays.

[Ryu]

My understanding is that you're talking about the type of connectors that were standard on ghetto blasters, radios, and tape players in the '80s. If so, then these should, in theory, be standard earth-/ground-less eletrical power connectors. However, I do recall having two units (can't remember what they were) that used different sizes of connectors so this could be an issue. Looking at these online, though, they do seem pretty uniform nowadays.

Thanks Dazzy, I thought much the same, but, being a novice tech head, I thought it best to put it to the forum. Yep the exact same style of connector you describe. I'm reading a lot of 'universal's which suggest it SHOULD be ok.

[Chris1984]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60320

[Ryu]

Thanks Chris...and my next question is, after reading the following paragraph...

The unpolarized coupler is commonly known as a figure-8 or shotgun connector due to the shape of its cross-section. It is also known as a euro-connector in electronic shops. The polarized C7 (C7-PW) is asymmetrical, with one side rounded (neutral) and the other side squared off (live).

This coupler is often used for small cassette recorders, battery/mains operated radios, some full size audio-visual equipment, laptop computer power supplies, video game consoles, and similar double-insulated appliances. Unpolarised C7 connectors can be inserted into polarized C8 inlets; however, doing so might be a safety risk if the device is designed to expect polarized power.

Does this mean 'check the TVs to see if they expect 'polarised' power'?

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

My new laptop has a figure 8 plug for the charger and getting a longer one would be ideal for gigs. How would I got about checking if the laptop is polarised or not? It's not something I fancy finding out the hard way.

[DazzyD]

From the article Chris linked to, I would suggest to have a look at the connector you already have. If it a Figure 8 where both sides are rounded it will be "unpolarized" - ie the plug will go in to the socket either way around and not make a difference. If one side of the plug is squared off then this is designed to be inserted only one way due to the device requiring a "polarized" power supply (ie a leading positive or negative circuit). The point of the plug only going one way is to prevent damage by putting the wrong "pole" through the circuit.

Does this make sense?

[Ryu]

Yes it does Dazzy, and it also reads as good news as I am 99% certain it's unpolarised and as such, able to accept a nice long 5m universal lead :approve::beer1:

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

So as long as the socket it's going into is an 8 and not the squared off one, it'll be fine?

[DazzyD]

Yes it does Dazzy, and it also reads as good news as I am 99% certain it's unpolarised and as such, able to accept a nice long 5m universal lead :approve::beer1:

Yes. So long as your original cable can go in either way in the socket, a standard Fig 8 power lead will be fine.


So as long as the socket it's going into is an 8 and not the squared off one, it'll be fine?

Yep. Some devices can be powered with an unpolarized power supply - an electric shaver, for example. If you have one of these then you'll know it can be plugged in to a bathroom shaver socket either way around and will still work fine. However, some devices require the correct polarity which is why the assymetrical Fig 8 connector is required. For example, my Yamaha keyboard requires a negative-to-positive polarity and, therefore, requires a polarized connector (the cable is actually detachable from the external power supply).

Some devices allow current to be either polarity but some don't. The simplest way to find out which is which is to check the original cable connector and/or socket. Of course, you could always learn to identify polarity symbols then read the markings on your device/power supply:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=polarity+symbol&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=2Pq&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3TMQUfu9IsaY1AWSoYDYCg&ved=0CDYQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=638