caryseidner Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 Does anyone know what the heck this is? This is an 85 year old house, and the line was entering through an exterior wall, just above grade. I didn't know if it was safe to put my voltage sniffer on it, but I probably should have waved it close by to see if there was any voltage. What are the vertical copper electrodes all about? Click to Enlarge 55.42 KB Click to Enlarge 54.18 KB Click to Enlarge 36.58 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 Others will have more detailed explanations, but it's a transformer, or a precursor to the transformer. You see them connected to doorbell wiring in old houses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy_Bob Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 That looks like an old telephone surge protector... http://countryjoescollectiblestuff.com/ ... tning.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 it is a basic fuse, surge protector. not a transformer. for $16.50, I should start riipping them out of houses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caryseidner Posted September 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Well . . . but then what I am I looking at when I see something similar that has K & T connected to one end, and low voltage wiring run toward the front door connected at the other end? I don't remember who it may have been, but someone, at some point, told me the gizmo was designed to step down voltage. 'Course, maybe he was wrong sometimes . . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy_Bob Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Well . . . but then what I am I looking at when I see something similar that has K & T connected to one end, and low voltage wiring run toward the front door connected at the other end? No telling! Post a picture. To change the voltage, you need a transformer. These are usually cube shaped things about 2 inches x 2 inches x 2 inches or larger. Then in older homes, you have the "do-it-yourself" factor. Wiring may have been used for one thing at one time, then switched to another use at a later time. No telling what they may have done! Modern doorbell transformer... Old doorbell transformer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Manor Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 It's a surge protector for the old phone line. This one is in my own basement. Click to Enlarge 57.83 KB -Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Kubs Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Just in case there is still a little doubt running through your mind. It is part of the telephone system, or was. Though I was always under the impression it was some sort of filter, to clean up the signal. Definitely not a transformer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Corrigan Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 That's an old phone company "protector". The orange tube is a fuse that was intended to go open. If you spin off the black cover in the middle you'll find "carbons". These are two assemblies consisting of a carbon blocks in a ceramic holder. The carbon block provides a ground path in the event of a high voltage hit. Go ahead, open it up and take a look! was a phone man in my pre college days. Tom Corrigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 From todays inspection. It's part of the phone system and I see them all the time in the older homes around here. Click to Enlarge 39.58 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted September 19, 2009 Report Share Posted September 19, 2009 Well . . . but then what I am I looking at when I see something similar that has K & T connected to one end, and low voltage wiring run toward the front door connected at the other end? No telling! Post a picture. To change the voltage, you need a transformer. These are usually cube shaped things about 2 inches x 2 inches x 2 inches or larger. Then in older homes, you have the "do-it-yourself" factor. Wiring may have been used for one thing at one time, then switched to another use at a later time. No telling what they may have done! Modern doorbell transformer... Old doorbell transformer... I, of course, have no photos of the thing I'm talking about. That would be waaay too convenient. But next time I happen upon one, I'll definitely snap a shot. Thing is, there's 120 volts connected to one end of the ceramic housing, and low voltage wiring connected to the other end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy_Bob Posted September 19, 2009 Report Share Posted September 19, 2009 ...Thing is, there's 120 volts connected to one end of the ceramic housing, and low voltage wiring connected to the other end. If all pro work, then probably a transformer. BUT there is also the "do-it-yourself factor". I've seen all sorts of wire used in walls for regular house voltage (120V) wiring. You pull apart a wall and no telling what will be found! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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