Seeking highly-specific 13 A extension lead...

John_Gray

For reasons which I will explain later, I need the following:

• 13 A extension lead with
• 8 unswitched sockets (no switching on the entire lead, either)
• in a straight line - not 2 opposing rows of 4 sockets
• 1 m of cable to the 13 A plug (2 m would do)
• no surge protection
• neon power indicator is optional

The Argos item Masterplug 8-way extension lead would be ideal but for the fact that the two Argos stores I tried supply a 2 x 4 socket layout under the same catalogue number!

An alternative would be as specified above but a 4-gang device where the individual 13 A sockets are 60 or more mm apart, as opposed to the usual 53-55 mm.

I have tried electrical and general shops galore but haven't found what I want. Can anyone point me at somewhere where this elusive 8-way extension lead can be bought? I'd be very grateful!

The reason? I have to put four transformer 13 A plugs for two routers and two cable modems into this extension lead. These transformer plugs are slightly wider (around 2 mm) than the usual 13 A plug, and considerably taller. You can't insert two next to each other without one fouling the other, so my aim would be to have plug / spare / plug / spare / plug / spare / plug / spare on the 8-way extension cable. It won't work with the 2 x 4 opposing sockets configuration either.

(Yes, I know that two separate 4-way extension leads would work, but the 8-way-in-a-line configuration works best for the space limitations I have...)

spinybif_2

http://www.techstore.co.uk/browse.php?a=p&prodLineID=61042

this will do the job

superscaper

Maybe not what you're after exactly but have you thought of something with this configuration: http://www.ryness.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=2831

I've got one myself for my PC+peripherals. Not sure if it's exactly the same make/model but it's a very useful method. Might achieve the same thing in less space.

Looks like a few amazon third party sellers have it in stock as well. http://www.amazon.co.uk/surge-Tower-Extension-Lead-Socket/dp/B000OV0CEY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1203009025&sr=8-4

John_Gray

spinybif: just what I was after, and also has a neon power indicator! Later The downside is that it costs £19.68, including delivery and VAT...!

Superscraper: I looked at this sort of thing but since these transformer plugs are very heavy I could see gravity gradually working them out (not quite 'thermal creep' as in the surface mounted chips of old, but similar). Also the idea of mounting heavy things vertically is not pleasing conceptually! (Argos does a flatter version with three sockets each side that I can't find online (p323 of the catalogue) but the problem is that the wire comes out of the top of one transformer plug and out of the bottom of the other, so there will be problems with one or the other.)

superscaper

John_Gray wrote: »

Superscraper: I looked at this sort of thing but since these transformer plugs are very heavy I could see gravity gradually working them out (not quite 'thermal creep' as in the surface mounted chips of old, but similar). Also the idea of mounting heavy things vertically is not pleasing conceptually! (Argos does a flatter version with three sockets each side that I can't find online (p323 of the catalogue) but the problem is that the wire comes out of the top of one transformer plug and out of the bottom of the other, so there will be problems with one or the other.)

I know exactly what you mean, I've got some huge monster transformers myself that I wouldn't feel comfortable about plugging vertically. As for the aesthetics it's hidden behind my monitor anyway in my case so for me it really is a space saver. But it all depends on your individual circumstances. I hope spinybif's link works out. It is cheaper than my suggestion after all.

John_Gray

I spoke too soon - it seems that the straight-line 8-way extensions leads made by both Masterplug and Micromark have been discontinued.

So I'm back where I started...

isofa

Voltex, will make you a custom one up, with or without surge/switches and as many sockets as you wish, etc. I had a 7-gang one made up ages ago for a similar purpose, and I use it every day.

Also Screwfix may have similar items, not sure about the spacing though.