Electrical Equipment - Does anyone know what this is?

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kkelso

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Apr 27, 2003
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I have one of these things mounted on the basement ceiling of a property I just bought. I can't get up close to it to get a good look at it, this shot is as close as I can get. There's power running in and out of it.

Does anyone know what it is?

https://s22.postimg.cc/fwv3szaxd/IMG_2428.jpg

Thanks - KK
 
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Goodoer

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Feb 20, 2004
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GTA & Thereabouts...
Where do the wires go and come from? While I'm not an Electrician, I've been around... I've never seen that type of junction box before.

The 'shiny' black sheathing on wire to me means it is heading to the exterior for an underground application.

(I love a good mystery)
 
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kkelso

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Goodoer said:
Where do the wires go and come from? While I'm not an Electrician, I've been around... I've never seen that type of junction box before.

The 'shiny' black sheathing on wire to me means it is heading to the exterior for an underground application.

(I love a good mystery)
Click to expand...
I can't tell where the wires come and go (no access). The wedge looking thing that sticks down has me intrigued, one side looks smooth like a photo-sensor or something?

The reason I'm so interested is that it's become clear that the previous owners had some "non standard" electrical work done in the basement (maybe DIY?) and I'm trying to figure out if I should be concerned.

KK
 
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renuck

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The box looks like it was made to mate specifically with something looking at the wedge clip looking thing, non-standard spot for a knockout and the alignment ridges. It's not designed for exterior use at least the ass end (top) of it isn't. Could be meant to be installed in a soffit for exterior lighting. Whatever it is, it looks like they re-purposed it as a junction box. If that's the case then there really isn't anything wrong with it.
 
TFZL1

TFZL1

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Looks to me like a low voltage transformer, could be for outside lights, garden lights or anything else where they needed low voltage? Even kitchen cabinet lights can be low voltage.
 
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kkelso

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brewwguy said:
The box looks like it was made to mate specifically with something looking at the wedge clip looking thing, non-standard spot for a knockout and the alignment ridges. It's not designed for exterior use at least the ass end (top) of it isn't. Could be meant to be installed in a soffit for exterior lighting. Whatever it is, it looks like they re-purposed it as a junction box. If that's the case then there really isn't anything wrong with it.
Click to expand...
Well it's interior, so that's good. Re-purposing it as a junction box would be highly consistent with the other work they did, or had done, themselves.

Thanks very much for the input!

KK
 
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Goodoer

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kkelso said:
Well it's interior, so that's good. Re-purposing it as a junction box would be highly consistent with the other work they did, or had done, themselves.

Thanks very much for the input!

KK
Click to expand...
Fuck, KK - You have patience!!! I would've had that shit down and out by now already.
 
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renuck

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kkelso said:
Well it's interior, so that's good. Re-purposing it as a junction box would be highly consistent with the other work they did, or had done, themselves.

Thanks very much for the input!

KK
Click to expand...
No problem. If you can manage to get a pic of what's inside that would tell us a lot more, but like I said if it's just being used as a junction box then it's fine. FWIW I'm an electrician but residential stuff isn't my thing.
 
P

Promo

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That's a weird one. It might be a box for a specific lighting or fan fixture that's meant to be exposed - like in a restaurant. i.e. it's secured to a ceiling upside down, the center hole may be to secure a chain, cable or bracket for the hanging light/fan and the knock-out hole is for the connector for the wires. The hook thingy may be temporarily for the safety chain until the light/fan is secured and then the safety chain is screwed to something more secure. But I'm guessing.

I'm curious what that is to the left of the box attached above the seam - a hinge? Bracket of some sort?

You mentioned "it's become clear that the previous owners had some "non standard" electrical work done in the basement (maybe DIY?)". <-- You need to be careful of this. Insurance companies require that only licensed trades work on electrical and gas utilities in your home. If you have a fire and the insurance company or ESA/TSSA determine the fault was as a result of errors by an unlicensed worker, you aren't insured and for the last 1-2 years they've ramped up on this. The DIY may not have properly grounded components, etc. I'd suggest having a licensed electrician in to have a look.
 
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b821332

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It is not meant as an insult in any way, however what you have is known as a black box.
The speculative responses may be valid, however, we just do not know.

There appears to be a lever (right side) that allows the cover to swing down. The hinge is on the left.

If you are still puzzled please take a picture of whatever is inside and post it here
Persons that have replied will be able to speculate more accurately .

The power to the BB is supplied by a flexible power cable.
So the BB is a consumer appliance of some sort.
It is difficult to judge the gauge of the power cable but is likely 12 or 14 and connected to a 15 amp circuit breaker.


B8
 
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Promo

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I like these kind of mysteries - kkelso, if you do find out what it is, please let us know.


b821332 said:
There appears to be a lever (right side) that allows the cover to swing down. The hinge is on the left.
Click to expand...
That's where I was going with my question about what was on the left side ...... but there are two screws holding the top on tightly. Therefore it can be assumed it's not meant to be opened regularly. And if it's not meant to be opened, why is there a hinge? Weird eh? Usually there is a hinge under these circumstances when something is hanging from the box - like a light or fan (thus my earlier speculation above).

Also if it were a hinge, we should see some material connecting to the top part as the second half of the hinge. I don't see anything (the picture doesn't show it well), but it's possible there is a moulded slot in the main body that the hinge fits into. I doubt it as that's unnecessarily expensive to do.

I showed this picture to an electrician friend last night (residential, commercial) and he hasn't seen anything similar either. He thinks it's a purpose built box for a specialized device .... whatever that could be.

b821332 said:
The power to the BB is supplied by a flexible power cable.
So the BB is a consumer appliance of some sort.
It is difficult to judge the gauge of the power cable but is likely 12 or 14 and connected to a 15 amp circuit breaker.
Click to expand...
You can't really tell from the picture it that's standard 12/2 or 14/2 wire. I think it might be a conduit painted black. I really can't tell.
 
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Promo

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kkelso said:
Hmmmm, good thought, the place does have a radon removal system. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Interesting detail.

If it's a radon detector it would be clearly labeled as such as per regulations. I hope to hell, someone hasn't spray-painted it and hid all the labeling - especially if it's a detector of some sort as that could/would impact its performance.

It ldoesn't look like a typical radon detector: https://www.google.com/search?biw=2....2.197....0.L3cn_GqZZas#imgrc=ZgliqHBYiXD8iM:


There are two types of radon detectors that I'm aware of:
1) Passive - a box you position for a month or two then send off to a lab for testing.
2) Active - a box you plug in, that continually monitors radon levels (like a smoke detector).

I've not seen a permanently mounted/wired radon detector (I also did some googling to see what's available), as these devices have a finite service life and must be replaced. Radon detectors I've seen aren't large, certainly not the size of this thing. Also, if it was a detector, how would it alert you - I guess it's possible there is a piezo just behind the small hole in the middle. It seems weird there are sealing screws and what appears to be a hinge to open it - why would a detector be built this way?
^^-- but I'm not an expert on radon detectors so anon1 may indeed be correct.

A Radon detector is usually mounted in the lowest part of the house. Where is this thing in your house?

As you can tell, you've really peaked my interest!
 
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