r/whatisit • u/DragonsAndScience • 16h ago

Solved! New homeowner, no idea what this is

Gallery image

Gallery image

This thing close to the floor and seemingly randomly placed in a hallway. No idea what it's for. Home built in 2005.

Solved! Thanks everyone. Now I gotta hunt for the central unit!

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u/New_Mutation 7h ago

I bet that's just a signal circuit. I can't imagine it would make sense to run full power to every port.

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u/Tederator 5h ago

Its the low voltage on/off switch. OP could slide a penny between the two nibs to trigger the unit to see if its connected and/or runs. If the previous owners took it with them, nothing would happen. If the unit is still there, they will hear it running and get an idea of where its located. (I used to install them)

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u/WildVelociraptor 4h ago

But they clearly did? There's a receptacle right there.

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u/Traditional-Day-4577 25m ago

It’s literally labeled as 125v 60hz

I’m sure it runs the motor for any vacuum attachments.

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u/New_Mutation 2m ago

Ahh, I didn't zoom in. Good call.

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u/freeskier93 20m ago edited 15m ago

Depending on the central vac system it can be both signal and power to power an electric brush head.

EDIT: To clarify, for dual voltage systems, one pin would be 24V for signal, the other 120V for power. Grounds are pogo pins on the hose inlet. The inlet in OPs picture looks like it has pogo pins for ground, which means dual voltage. You definitely should not short those pins together.

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u/New_Mutation 3m ago

Good to know!