Universal 71641 (Yellowed Example)
Universal 71641 (Yellowed Example)
Overview
The Universal 71641 is a six-outlet surge protector manufactured in 2004 and marketed for home and office electronic equipment.
The documented example exhibits significant enclosure yellowing and serves as an interesting example of long-term plastic aging.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Universal
- Model: 71641
- Manufacturing Date: May 23, 2004
- Outlets: 6 grounded outlets
- Transformer-spaced outlet: Yes
- Power Switch: Illuminated RESET/OFF rocker switch
- Surge Indicator: Yes
- Length: Approximately 10.5 in (26.7 cm)
- Width: Approximately 1.31 in (3.3 cm)
- Height:
- Approximately 1.31 in (3.3 cm) at the outlet section
- Approximately 1.63 in (4.1 cm) at the control section
- Transformer-Spaced Outlet: Yes
- Manufacturing Date: May 23, 2004
- Voltage Rating: 125 VAC
- Current Rating: 15 A
- Frequency: 60 Hz
- Maximum Load: 1875 W
- Suppressed Voltage Rating: 330 V
- Country of Manufacture: China
- Power Cord Length: Approximately 6 ft (1.8 m)
- Power Cord Type: SJT
- Conductors: 16 AWG × 3
- Flame Rating: VW-1
- UL File Number (Cord): E176194
- Power Cord Type: SJT
- Conductors: 16 AWG × 3
- CSA File Number: LL109777
- Cord Manufacturer: Apollo
Mounting Provisions
The underside incorporates two keyhole-style mounting slots.
The mounting arrangement supports three practical installation orientations:
- Horizontal mounting
- Vertical mounting with the cord entry positioned upward
- Vertical mounting with the cord entry positioned downward
This provides greater installation flexibility than many previously documented surge protectors in the archive.
Physical Description
The Universal 71641 utilizes a beige plastic enclosure with six grounded outlets arranged in a single row.
The outlet nearest the end of the strip is spaced farther from the adjacent receptacle to accommodate transformer-style power adapters and oversized plugs.
A rocker-style RESET/OFF power switch and surge-protection indicator are located near the power-cord entry point.
The documented example exhibits substantial yellowing of the enclosure. Areas immediately surrounding two outlet positions have retained noticeably lighter coloration, suggesting that two-prong devices may have remained plugged into the unit for extended periods of time. The protected areas appear to have been shielded from the environmental factors responsible for the surrounding discoloration.
The yellowing pattern appears consistent with prolonged use of multiple two-prong devices, which shielded portions of the enclosure from the aging processes affecting the surrounding plastic.
The outlet nearest the rounded end of the enclosure is physically separated from the remaining outlets and specifically labeled "TRANSFORMER." The additional spacing provides clearance for oversized power adapters and wall-wart style transformers.
The cord-entry end incorporates an unused circular knockout molded into the enclosure. The feature appears to be intended for installation of a circuit breaker or related component, although it is not populated on the documented example. Protection appears to be integrated into the switch and surge-suppression assembly.
The 71641 utilizes a low-profile enclosure with a raised control section near the power-cord entry point. The housing design is broadly similar to earlier Universal models but incorporates a dedicated transformer-spaced outlet and a slightly more refined profile.
The documented example exhibits significant yellowing across most exposed surfaces. Areas shielded by long-term plug insertion have retained a noticeably lighter coloration, creating a visible contrast with the surrounding plastic.
The final outlet is physically separated from the remaining receptacles and is specifically labeled "TRANSFORMER." The additional clearance is intended to accommodate oversized power adapters and wall-wart style transformers.
The cord-entry end incorporates an unused circular knockout molded into the enclosure. The feature appears designed to accommodate a resettable circuit breaker or similar component, although it is not populated on the documented example. Protection appears to be integrated into the switch and surge-suppression assembly.
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 red SURGE indicator illuminated, indicating that surge-protection circuitry remained active.
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71641 connected to power with the rocker switch in the OFF position. -
SURGE indicator illuminated during testing. -
Outlet tester indicating correct wiring and grounding.
Teardown
The Universal 71641 enclosure is secured using multiple Phillips-head screws and can be opened non-destructively.
The upper housing contains molded outlet barriers, structural reinforcement ribs, screw bosses, and support features that position the outlet-contact assemblies.
The control section incorporates dedicated molded structures surrounding the rocker switch, surge indicator, and cord-entry area.
Inspection of the documented example revealed dust accumulation and cosmetic contamination consistent with long-term use, but no obvious evidence of overheating, melting, or catastrophic electrical failure.
The outlet assemblies are retained within molded supports integrated into the lower housing. Power distribution is accomplished using stamped brass bus bars that run the length of the enclosure and feed all six outlets, including the dedicated transformer-spaced outlet.
The upper housing incorporates additional reinforcing ribs, outlet barriers, and support structures that maintain outlet alignment and provide rigidity to the enclosure.
The transformer-spaced outlet is integrated into the same bus-bar distribution system as the remaining outlets and does not utilize separate wiring or dedicated circuitry.
Further examination of the control-section circuit board revealed a larger and more sophisticated surge-suppression assembly than those documented in the earlier Universal 71632 and 71637 models.
Visible components include:
- Metal-oxide varistor (MOV)
- Film capacitor
- Power switch assembly
- Surge-status indicator circuitry
- Associated discrete protection components
The suppression circuitry is concentrated on a dedicated printed circuit board mounted within the control section near the cord-entry point.
The larger circuit assembly suggests that Universal revised the internal surge-protection design between 1998 and 2004 while retaining the same general bus-bar-based outlet distribution architecture.
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71641 opened following removal of the enclosure screws. -
Enclosure screws removed during disassembly. -
Upper housing outlet supports and structural details. -
Control-section housing details. -
Upper housing details at the transformer-outlet end. -
Transformer-outlet end showing bus-bar distribution. -
Center section showing bus bars and outlet contacts. -
Surge-suppression circuit board and components. -
Close-up of the suppression circuitry. -
Cord-entry end showing wiring and suppression circuitry.
Product Gallery
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Overall view of the yellowed Universal 71641. -
Control section showing the power switch and surge indicator. -
Outlet section showing differential yellowing. -
Dedicated transformer-spaced outlet. -
Cord-entry end showing the control section and unused knockout. -
Rounded outlet-end profile. -
Right-side profile view. -
Left-side profile view. -
Underside view showing mounting provisions and product markings. -
UL certification hologram and listing information. -
Underside specifications and ratings. -
Mounting slots, date wheels, and cord-entry section. -
Grounding plug with molded approval markings. -
Power cord specifications and approval markings. -
Additional power cord specifications and manufacturer markings. -
Grounded attachment plug and power cord.
Condition Upon Acquisition
The documented example was acquired as part of a collection of surplus electrical equipment and exhibited significant yellowing, accumulated dirt, and cosmetic wear consistent with long-term use and storage.
The unit was cleaned prior to detailed documentation and photography.
