[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 12-10-2003).]

The second picture, of the the switch and outlet, looks like very recent work. Did the homeowner do this?

He bought the house less than two years ago, and denies doing any "updates". The "hidden" 1900's are a recurring theme - there was one in the partition wall in the basement bath, and another hidden behind screwed-in-place ceiling paneling.

Have found several additional "hole in the wall" installed switches throughout the house. Will be spending next couple of days pulling the K&T, and replacing w/NM, to provide separate home runs as well as correcting the switched neutrals throughout the upstairs. Thank goodness for balloon construction!

It looks like when they updated to 100A service (sometime early 70's by my guess), they "updated" everything in the basement, up to the point where it went into the walls to go up. There, they just terminated the EMT or Romex into 1900's, connected the K&T to the other side, and covered it up. Yeesh.

DougW:
What is a "1900" -- a 4x4 square box?

A "1900 box" is a standard 4x4 surface mount square box. One of those regional slang things, I guess. Not sure where the name comes from, though. Perhaps some manufacturer's catalog number at one time?

I don't know where "1900" came from either. I've just heard 4x4 junction boxes referred to as that for years.

Here's an explanation from Tradeslang.com

Bill

Great reference, Bill.

Thanks.

thanks bill great stuff. when i first moved to virginia in the late 80's and asked the supply house for a case of 4 squares he said he'd never heard of them and soon discovered i was asking for "1900 boxes" i then had afew more thrown at me like 11b = an 4 11/16 box and 8o= octogon box.