Universal 71632

Universal 71632

Overall view of the Universal 71632.

Overview

The Universal 71632 is a six-outlet surge protector manufactured in 1998 and marketed for home and office electronic equipment.

The model appears to represent a simpler companion product to the Universal 71637, retaining basic surge-protection functionality while omitting the integrated telephone-line protection found on the larger model.

Although simpler than the Universal 71637, which incorporates telephone-line protection, the 71632 appears to use a similar surge-suppression architecture and retains the Power Shut Down Protection feature found on the higher-featured model.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Universal
• Model: 71632
• Manufacturing Year: 1998
• Voltage Rating: 125 VAC
• Current Rating: 15 A
• Frequency: 60 Hz
• Maximum Load: 1875 W
• UL 1449 Suppressed Voltage Rating: 330 V
• Protection Modes:
  • Line-to-Neutral (L-N)
  • Line-to-Ground (L-G)
  • Neutral-to-Ground (N-G)
• Length: Approximately 10.25 in (26.0 cm)
• Width:
  • Approximately 1.50 in (3.8 cm) at the outlet section
  • Approximately 1.38 in (3.5 cm) at the control section
• Height: Approximately 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
• Country of Manufacture: China
• Weight: Approximately 15.3 oz (434 g)
• Power Cord Length: Approximately 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Power Cord Type: SJT
• Conductors: 16 AWG × 3
• Cord Temperature Rating: 60°C
• Cord Manufacturer: Bon-Eagle
• CSA File Number: LL95737

Weight

The documented example weighs approximately 15.3 oz (434 g).

Universal 71632 on a digital scale.

Physical Description

The Universal 71632 utilizes a slim off-white plastic enclosure containing six grounded outlets arranged in a single row.

A red rocker-style RESET/OFF power switch and a protection-status indicator are located near the cord-entry point. The enclosure design shares several styling cues with the Universal 71637, including the raised control section and red indicator lens.

Unlike the Universal 71637, the VG307 does not incorporate telephone-line surge protection circuitry or RJ11 connectors.

The documented example exhibits a broken screw-mount post near the power-cord entry point. Additional details are documented in the teardown section.

The Universal 71632 utilizes a slim off-white plastic enclosure with six grounded outlets arranged in a single row.

A rocker-style RESET/OFF switch and protection-status indicator are located in the raised control section near the power-cord entry point.

The rocker switch is mounted perpendicular to the outlet row, a common arrangement on narrow single-row surge protectors of this period.

The enclosure measures approximately:

• Length: 10.25 in (26.0 cm)
• Width:
  • Approximately 1.50 in (3.8 cm) at the outlet section
  • Approximately 1.38 in (3.5 cm) at the switch section
• Height: Approximately 1.25 in (3.2 cm)

Despite omitting the telephone-line protection found on the Universal 71637, the 71632 still incorporates the same "Power Shut Down Protection" feature.

According to the product labeling, the unit will cease conducting power after its surge-suppression components have reached the end of their protective life. This design prevents continued operation without surge protection.

The attached power cord utilizes SJT construction with three 16 AWG conductors and a 75°C temperature rating.

The grounded attachment plug carries CSA certification markings and is permanently attached to the power cord through a molded strain relief.

Mounting Provisions

The underside of the enclosure incorporates two keyhole-style mounting slots.

The slot arrangement supports mounting in either horizontal or vertical orientations, allowing the unit to be installed on a wall, cabinet, or other flat surface.

Testing

The documented example was tested for basic electrical operation and wiring integrity.

Testing with a receptacle tester confirmed correct hot, neutral, and ground wiring. No open ground, open neutral, reversed polarity, or other wiring faults were detected.

The rocker switch successfully controlled power to all outlets.

When energized, the rocker switch illuminated and the protection-status indicator remained lit. The illuminated switch exhibited visible flicker during operation. Unlike the behavior observed on the Tripp Lite SPIKE BAR SK6-6, the illumination in the Universal 71632 appeared to move along the length of the rocker switch rather than switching completely on and off.

A video demonstrating the flicker behavior is available:

Demonstration video

• 
  71632 connected to power with the rocker switch in the OFF position.
• 
  71632 connected to power with the rocker switch in the ON position.
• 
  Outlet tester indicating correct wiring and grounding.

Video

The documented example exhibits visible flicker within the illuminated rocker switch during operation.

Unlike the Tripp Lite SPIKE BAR SK6-6, where the illumination appears to flicker on and off, the Universal 71632 exhibits flicker that appears to move across the illuminated switch lens along the axis of the switch.

Demonstration video

Product Gallery

• 
  Overall view of the Universal 71632.
• 
  Universal branding, protection indicator, and power switch.
• 
  Four of six grounded AC outlets.
• 
  Outlet-end detail.
• 
  Right-side profile view.
• 
  Left-side profile view.
• 
  Rounded outlet-end profile.
• 
  Cord-entry end showing the control section.
• 
  Underside view showing mounting provisions and product markings.
• 
  UL certification label and mounting-slot detail.
• 
  Power Shut Down Protection label and mounting provisions.
• 
  Underside specifications and ratings.
• 
  Grounding plug with certification markings.
• 
  Power cord specifications and manufacturer markings.
• 
  Additional cord specifications and markings.
• 
  Grounded plug and attached power cord.

Teardown

The Universal 71632 enclosure is secured using six Phillips-head screws and can be opened non-destructively.

One of the internal screw-post assemblies near the power-cord entry point was found to be damaged prior to documentation. The damage prevented complete removal of one enclosure screw, leaving it retained within the broken plastic post during disassembly.

The upper housing contains molded outlet barriers, mounting-slot structures, and screw bosses that position and secure the outlet-contact assemblies.

The lower housing contains stamped brass bus bars, outlet-contact assemblies, internal wiring, and a small surge-suppression circuit located within the raised control section.

Unlike the Universal 71637, the 71632 omits telephone-line protection circuitry and associated RJ11 connectors. The remainder of the construction is broadly similar, utilizing stamped brass conductors and a compact surge-suppression assembly.

Inspection of the documented example revealed light dust accumulation and minor contamination but no obvious evidence of overheating, melted components, or catastrophic electrical failure.

Further examination of the control-section circuit board revealed a compact surge-suppression assembly consisting of:

• Metal-oxide varistor (MOV)
• Thermal protection device
• Capacitor
• Power indicator circuitry
• Rocker switch assembly

The surge-suppression circuitry is concentrated on a small printed circuit board mounted near the power-cord entry point. The board is mechanically integrated into the outlet bus structure and could not be removed easily without desoldering the bus bars.

To avoid unnecessary risk to the documented example, the circuit board was not removed from the enclosure.

The layout appears consistent with the "Power Shut Down Protection" feature described on the product label. A thermal protection device is mounted in close proximity to the surge-suppression components, allowing the unit to disconnect power after the suppression network reaches the end of its useful life.

• 
  71632 opened following removal of the enclosure screws.
• 
  Five of six enclosure screws removed during disassembly.
• 
  Broken internal screw-post assembly.
• 
  Upper housing outlet supports and mounting structures.
• 
  Outlet-end bus bars and outlet-contact assemblies.
• 
  Control-section housing details.
• 
  Side view of the surge-suppression circuit board.
• 
  Cord-entry end showing wiring and bus-bar connections.
• 
  Surge-suppression circuit board and cord-entry wiring.

Condition Upon Acquisition

The documented example was acquired as part of a collection of surplus electrical equipment and exhibited accumulated dust, dirt, and cosmetic wear consistent with long-term use and storage.

The unit was cleaned prior to detailed documentation and photography.

Universal 71632 as acquired before cleaning.