The place these things are most used in the UK is in kettles for boiling water. You basically have a jug that you can fill with water and then place onto a base that makes the electrical connection to heat the water.
This module also has a thermal switch mechanism. I'm not sure if it's to regulate a product at a specific temperature or if it's a safety feature in case something overheats.
I'm guessing that the weight required to properly mate the connectors may also dictate the minimum liquid level in a kettle when using it.
Here's a link to an eBay search for this type of connector. Target price around £2/$3.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Thermostat+Kettle+Socket&_sacat=0&_sop=15
The middle pin is earth/ground. I wouldn't recommend using this for high current use even if it is designed as a kettle connector.
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14 thoughts on “A close look at the sliding contacts in a cordless appliance base.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bekkie Beans says:

    Clive you are more experienced than I, but I thought that when you weighed and zeroed the bottom piece on scale, should you not have placed the top piece on scale too and zeroed both before pushing down to see the force needed?

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Olaf Elsberry says:

    Very clever little design for a water heating device.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ᛋᛒᛖ‍ᚱᚫᛞᚻᛏ says:

    I don't understand what the brick is about. There's a question mark at the end of the sentence and it's written on a brick… I just don't understand what they're trying to say really.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Falconer says:

    I have a sneaky suspicion that different makes have different ring connections .. take care when using a mismatched base / jug ( kettle ) some do not sit down correctly ( no power contact ! ) … let me know if this is wrong ( ? ) ….

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Petar Doynov says:

    You didn't do correct the measuring. You bust use tara of the whole system, I mean the both parts and after that to start to push. 😉

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Meng Niuhk says:

    why do they not put the steam sensor near the top of the kettle instead of using a tube to direct the steam down to the sensor at the bottom. The steam tube is a blind end tube and difficult for steam to pass through. At the same time, water can enter the tube when kettle is upside down and kill the mechanism

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Roger Smith says:

    I just (about a year ago) discovered that type of connector here in the U.S. on a hot water kettle. It does the job just fine but as you pointed out, alignment is critical if the two sides are to mate-up correctly. 👍

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Emiliyan Yankov says:

    Just fixed a friend's electric kettle and this got recommended to me! 👀 So glad to see your content be pushed forward, Clive. ✌🙂
    PS: Oof, $3 vs $13. Tefal's version by Strix seems not just overcomplicated, but a bit overpriced too.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kevan Parker says:

    Most household appliances the fuse in the plug lasts the life of the appliance, in kettles I find (well in our household) they last maybe a year. Our kettle stopped working and my wife was getting ready to bin it when I had a look at it and took the fuse out of the plug and checked it yes it had blown. New fuse and its back in action. I think spilled water on the base is the problem.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ku electric says:

    Good video

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! Kev Cl says:

    When the contacts in the base wear away.. whats the fix.. Throw out the kettle?.. DIY repairs on a cheap appliance that has Heat, leccy and water I dont want to go there.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars M Abdoush says:

    it's for stainless water jug ..its can boil water with it ..and when it reaches the boiling point its stops ,that explains the thermal disconnection
    it's shaped like circle from the bottom for easy handling

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars az moz says:

    Sorry if it’s been commented before , but there is a company on the Isle of Man that makes this sort of device for cordless kettles, not sure if it’s one of theirs I couldn’t see any logos. The company’s call Strix , worth a Google.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars hakkalocken says:

    Coincidentally, we manufacture most of the metal components (including the bimetallic/trimetallic thermostat switches) shown in this video here on the Isle of Man.

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