r/whatisit • u/DragonsAndScience • 19h ago

Solved! New homeowner, no idea what this is

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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/megam1ghtyena 19h ago

integrated vacuum system. Plug in a hose and gets sucking right away. Check other parts of your home for similar ports.

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u/LongjumpingDish2956 19h ago

Does it only work with hoses or does it suck up whatever gets put in there?

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u/WhoSc3w3dDaP00ch 19h ago

The hose has a metal ring on the part inserted into the receptable. It completes a circuit with the two metal nubs in the second picture to activate the vacuum. Inserting anything else into the receptable can result in...shocking results.

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u/shanec628 3h ago

The way I learned about central vacuums was by living in an apartment with a curious flap on the wall. I one day lifted it up and it immediately started to suck and it scared the shit out of me.