In general, how long were the line cords on these radios.
I always thought 6 feet. But when I bought line cord, fabric or otherwise, I've measure 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12.
This includes from the switch on the chassis to the plug end.
Wabr101,
Far as length goes yes myself I like making them like 8ft in total length even when working on a later set where I use replacement 18gauge Lamp cords with the molded plugs I buy them in bulk no less then 8ft long.
Sincerely Richard
6ft sounds standard, and may be a NEC (National Electrical Code) specification. For a long time (at least back in 1952) the NEC had a spec where outlets had to be no more than 6 ft from any obstruction or break in a wall such as a corner, door, closet, stair, etc. and no more than 12 ft. from the nearest outlet. This is one reason that most outlets are not in a corner but in the middle of the wall.
The standard length of a lamp cord from the base of the lamp is 6 ft.
The reason why the cords that you are purchasing are 7 or 8 ft.. or longer is because there has to be consideration for the length of cable inside the chassis which can be as long as 1ft or longer in some radios. I am not sure if their is a spec as to from where to where the length is measured. For example for a console radio, the length may have to be measured from the plug to the base of the radio.
I tend to make some of my radios as having shorter cords as they sit on a shelf, connected to an outlet strip. However, for those radios that I used period correct cable (IE Cloth covered or twisted pair, I usually leave it the standard length.
Hope this helps.
Thank you everyone. I made it 6 foot from the chassis to plug.
I’ve never given a thought as to cord length even being a code issue. I usually try and make it longer than 6’ because I live in an older home where I think electricity was an afterthought. In my bedroom, there are only 2 receptacles, one in the middle of one wall and the other in the middle of the opposite wall. So,one receptacle is smack in the middle behind my bed where I need to crawl and try and reach under the bed to plug anything in. The other receptacle is dead center behind a large dresser with a mirror. Neither one is anywhere near being handy to get at.
So I figure a little extra cord length won’t hurt and it beats using an extension cord!
Ron
I use at least 8ft; 6ft is too short. 10ft is better if you have plenty of the cord wire supply.
I usually use 8 feet. Most early Philcos, the cord goes to the line capacitors, on some it goes to the switch. Most have a strain relief knot that takes a couple of inches so, most of a foot is lost under the chassis.
Steve