Here a couple of photos of a HPM 23 series outlet of 1960s vintage I acquired recently. It’s in “as new” condition as none of the mounting holes have been used. The outlet can be fixed using either a 1-gang or 2-gang mounting plate. Point of interest is the small rectangle above the switch where an optional neon power indicator could be fitted.

Darren Carroll
Alice Springs, NT

Here a couple of photos of a HPM 38 series outlet of 1960s vintage I acquired recently. It’s in “as new” condition as none of the mounting holes have been used. The faceplates are slightly larger than a standard faceplate. Another point of interest is the three pair of mounting holes, the normal 84mm spacing are the two closet on the horizontal plane.

Here a couple of photos of a HPM 4 series outlet of 1960s vintage with neon “power” indicator I acquired recently. It’s in “as new” condition as neither of the mounting holes have been use. Point of interest is the switch being at 90 degrees to the outlet to allow for either horizontal mounting on skirting boards or vertical installation for door & window frames.

Here a couple of photos of a HPM P550 series switch plate of 1960s vintage with mechanisms I acquired recently. It’s in “as new” condition as none of the mounting holes have been used. Point of interest is the switch plate is designed to take 3 mechanisms but only has two fitted. The other feature of the mechanisms is the ability to remove the looping terminal (the one with the most brass showing) and placing it into the spare tunnel to allow for two way switching.

I wish they'd make those pushbutton type switches for decorative effect; up to current codes of course.

Question: How are you supposed to connect wire to the Australian outlets and switches shown above? Those connection cups with the set screws look rather big to just hold a single 14 or 12 AWG wire.

HPM 4 series outlet of 1960s vintage with neon “power” indicator

Looks like this outlet would require an exceptionally narrow box, one about 3cm wide and about 3 inches tall. I don't think I've ever seen one that size.

This type of outlet is known as an "architrave" fitting. That is, it's intended for mounting in a door/window frame or skirting board without a box. Even the standard size fittings are often mounted without boxes. Generally, boxes are only used in with brick or concrete walls. Hollow walls like Gyprock or Masonite use either a thin steel bracket with tapped screw holes, nailed to a stud behind the wall, or for retrofits what's known as a "plaster bracket" which is a similar thing but hangs on to the edges of the rectangular hole with two clips.