What do I have?

ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals

ECN Shout Chat

Give a Shout Out!

Shout Box

Who's Online Now

1 registered members (Scott35), 4 guests, and 10 spiders.

Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod

Print Thread

Rate Thread

What do I have? #207375
10/21/12 10:40 PM 10/21/12 10:40 PM

Admin

OP
Administrator
Member

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,545
NY, USA

Quote

My daughter recently purchased a house built in 1927. I just removed this outlet and no one in my area has ever seen one like it before. It was the only one like it in the house. I found the photo and information on Wikipedia of the similar 5 way outlet and am wondering if anyone has any additional information about this. The outlet is marked GE, 15 A 125 V, hasthe UL logo and appears to be polarized. The house has the original knob and tube wiring.

I would appreciate any additional information you would have on this outlet.

Thanks,

Gordon Green

Tools for Electricians:

Tools for Electricians, Installers, Maintenance & Service Technicians

Re: What do I have? [Re: Admin] #207392
10/24/12 01:43 PM 10/24/12 01:43 PM

thiggy

Member

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 24
B'ham Al

What is behind the five-way receptical cover plate?

Re: What do I have? [Re: thiggy] #207394
10/24/12 03:19 PM 10/24/12 03:19 PM

Rookie1

New Member

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1
California

Don't know. that is the only photo of it on Wikipedia and the only copy about it.

Re: What do I have? [Re: Admin] #207395
10/24/12 05:31 PM 10/24/12 05:31 PM

thiggy

Member

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 24
B'ham Al

Oops, I didn't read your OP carefully. I see now that you do not have the receptical itself, but posted a photo from Wiki.

Re: What do I have? [Re: Admin] #207396
10/24/12 06:22 PM 10/24/12 06:22 PM

HotLine1

Member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,081
Brick, NJ USA

Looks something similar to 'desbar' devices from back in the helper/apprentice days gone by.

John

Re: What do I have? [Re: Admin] #207397
10/24/12 07:32 PM 10/24/12 07:32 PM

Texas_Ranger Offline

Member

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,441
Vienna, Austria

Not quite - as far as I know, Despard devices were modular straps that accepted up to 3 devices on a 1-gang yoke.

Re: What do I have? [Re: Admin] #207399
10/24/12 09:24 PM 10/24/12 09:24 PM

HotLine1

Member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,081
Brick, NJ USA

Tex:
Yes, the 'newer' versions have 3 locations, as the receptacle devices are "U" ground. I was refering back when the receptacle was 2-prong, non-grounded.

John

Re: What do I have? [Re: Admin] #207433
10/29/12 04:26 PM 10/29/12 04:26 PM

harold endean Offline

Member

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
Boonton, NJ

John,

I remember seeing those despar devices. I also remember that they use to cram a lot of wires into small boxes. Then they would solder the splice, then use rubber and friction tape.

Re: What do I have? [Re: Admin] #207506
11/02/12 02:50 AM 11/02/12 02:50 AM

Lostazhell Offline

Member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,431
Bakersfield, CA (Originally Or...

I took the photo of the 5 way outlet seen above, wa2ise asked me if he could use it on the wiki article and I obliged.. The outlet came out of an old 1928 house in East LA, CA that I did a partial rewire on. It's a Monowatt brand, it's all one piece unlike a Despard device.

Re: What do I have? [Re: thiggy] #207565
11/06/12 06:08 PM 11/06/12 06:08 PM

Frank DeWitt Offline

Member

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 12
Bloomfield NY

Originally Posted by thiggy

What is behind the five-way receptical cover plate?

I have one of those. The "cover plate" and outlet are one.

The back is closed with plastic except for two screws. BTW There is one on Ebay right now

BBTW I have a duplex outlet that is clearly designed to flush mount WITHOUT a box.

Frank

http://www.oldengine.org/members/frank

Moderated by dougwells, electure, gfretwell, HotLine1, Scott35, Trumpy

Featured:

2017 NEC Electrician
Exam Prep Combos:
Master / Journeyman

Member Spotlight

Retired_Helper
Maine

Posts: 165
Joined: March 2007

Show All Member Profiles