normw Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 I ran into this dimmer-looking switch for the second time, first time it's outside a bathroom of a 5 year old town house. I thought it was some kind of control for the bathroom fan, but didn't seem to be working. This time it's on a 3 year old high rise condo, inside a closet that facing front entrance door, still looked the same, still seemed not controlling anything. Does anyone seen this before and know what is it for? Click to Enlarge 22.79 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 Looks like a programmable switch. Maybe for radiant floor heating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 It's just a digital wall switch timer. Very commonly used for controlling outdoor lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkenney Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 Intermatic EJ500C Indoor Digital Wall Switch Timer Similar models by Honeywell and Westek. Probably everybody else too. The programmable controls are under the white plastic square portion that also serves as a touch on/off pad. Pry it off to access. Download Attachment: intermaticej500c.pdf 695.81 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Kienitz Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 Use was ID'd by Kibbel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normw Posted April 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 Thanks everyone for pitching in, but I'm still not really sure, because in both cases, the switches were in interior rooms, far away from any exterior wall, and in the case of the high rise condo, it's on a 26th floor and not much is on the outside. And when I play with the switch, nothing happened, no display at all. Could both be faulty? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 I've seen them used to control exhaust/ circulation fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 I find them from time to time and I ignore them! Kind of like trying to figure out a lawn irrigation system or some of those new thermostats that are on the market! Just a pain in the butt! I do note them in my report and tell my client to get the owner to demonstrate their operation to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 The neighbors are pissed. Their lights kept going on and off. Or... Brandon's right and they controlled the exhaust fans. When controls are hidden in closets it usually means that the builder didn't want the occupants dinking with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Lozier Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 I find them from time to time and I ignore them! Kind of like trying to figure out a lawn irrigation system or some of those new thermostats that are on the market! Just a pain in the butt! I do note them in my report and tell my client to get the owner to demonstrate their operation to them. Agree with Scott, write it up as unknown, tell clients to ask owner the purpose, if bank owned call an electrician. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 I find them from time to time and I ignore them! Kind of like trying to figure out a lawn irrigation system or some of those new thermostats that are on the market! Just a pain in the butt! I do note them in my report and tell my client to get the owner to demonstrate their operation to them. Agree with Scott, write it up as unknown, tell clients to ask owner the purpose, if bank owned call an electrician. I got a note from a realtor last week. There was no electric baseboard heat, thermostat display was blank. It took 6 or 7 phone calls before the owners were able to install two AA batteries in the thermostat. The heat came on, and everybody could finally relax. BTW, that timer switch also takes a couple of batteries, probably the little wafer jobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 I see those all the time. They're programmable timer switches and they normally control the whole house air change fan. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normw Posted April 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 Thanks everyone for your input. Seems like we have come to a consensus. Next time I see one of these, if it has no display and not respond to control, I'll open it up to check if it needs batteries. And then write it up as "possibly a timer switch for exhaust fan, ask owner for instructions." Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 Thanks everyone for your input. Seems like we have come to a consensus. Next time I see one of these, if it has no display and not respond to control, I'll open it up to check if it needs batteries. And then write it up as "possibly a timer switch for exhaust fan, ask owner for instructions." It isn't, "possibly a timer switch," it, "is," a timer switch. It might, "possibly," control an exhaust fan. There is a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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