ID of old electrical outlet in farmhouse ??

LJD · Dec 12, 2011

I've done a lot of rewire and new-entrance-service jobs in old houses . . . but this is the first time I've seen one of these. Anybody know what it was used for?

Came out of one of the oldest houses in town. It was built by the richest farmer in town in the 1800s. Not sure when AC grid power was added. The house still had a basement full of the old Delco glass-bottle batteries so I assume it was wired for DC power first, and AC power later. First AC power in town was made at a water-powered mill near this house. I was tearing out some knob and tube wiring and found six of these strange outlets in one vary large room.

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Kirk Grau · Dec 12, 2011

It is a parallel/tandem receptacle. See link. Long before UL and standardization, I "think" they were a means to power both 120 and 240 loads from common receptacle if they were wired that way. Don"t quote me on that.

Kirk
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JMOR · Dec 12, 2011

(quoted from post at 13:20:13 12/12/11) It is a parallel/tandem receptacle. See link. Long before UL and standardization, I "think" they were a means to power both 120 and 240 loads from common receptacle if they were wired that way. Don"t quote me on that.

Kirk
Untitled URL Link

robably not, with just 2 terminals.

LJD · Dec 12, 2011

Seems maybe you "hit the nail on head." These outlets are only a two-wire hookup. If holding up vertically (as they were installed) and looking at just set of four prongs - with the top prong being "A", then clockwise the next "B" next "C, and next "D" - they are wired like this. Wire/line #1 goes to "A" and "D", whereas wire/line #2 goes to "B" and "C."

I looked at that link you posted and that outlet looks the same. The part I don't understand is . . . if the two wires make 240 volts - how can 120 volts be gotten with no neutral or ground? Or are these outlets just convertible to be used for 120 VAC or 240 VAC, but not both?

greenbeanman in Kansas · Dec 12, 2011

Is there any chance that you got a photo of the glass encased batteries? I sure would like to see one. If I was close I'd offer to buy one.

I have a couple of the glass battery jars, but have no recollection as to what the actual battery portion inside looked like.

We had a 32 volt system.

Thanks

Kirk Grau · Dec 12, 2011

(quoted from post at 13:31:40 12/12/11)

(quoted from post at 13:20:13 12/12/11) It is a parallel/tandem receptacle. See link. Long before UL and standardization, I "think" they were a means to power both 120 and 240 loads from common receptacle if they were wired that way. Don"t quote me on that.

Kirk
Untitled URL Link

Click to expand...

robably not, with just 2 terminals.

Agreed, it is probably as LJD indicates and was wired for either 120 or 240 loads. If you happened to connect a 120 load when it was wired at 240 the smoke probably escaped.

Kirk

Mike (WA) · Dec 12, 2011

I didn't see anything in the link to indicate it would ever be wired for 240- just two different types of 120 plugs. Terminals are for a hot and a neutral.

Interesting- had never heard of the "tandem" plug.

DaveK(IN) · Dec 12, 2011

I have found those in the oldest houses in Indianapolis. I also found one once that had 120 volts on one side and a long wire radio antenna and ground connection on the other side.

A very interesting site for this stuff is "antique sockets.com" The space should not be there but Apple thinks it should and I don"t how to post links.

If you visit the site you will find out who Harvey Hubble was and why we still buy expensive stuff in yellow and black boxes at the supply house.

Kirk Grau · Dec 12, 2011

I may have been reading more between the lines than is there. One of the photos points out the similarity to a modern 6-15 receptacle which would be used for 240V loads. In some other reading on other sites which I did not post mention was made of using these for 240V loads as well, but it seems that these are old enough that few have actually seen any of them in operation. I know I have only seen them once before myself.

Kirk

TomH in PA · Dec 12, 2011

It seems to me that "C" would be the neutral, A to C is 120, B to D is 240.

barnE · Dec 12, 2011

Had at least one in house I grew up in. 1943 Seemed to operate like normal outlet(110) Now maybe the two others were 220 and no grounding. Did not have enough curiousity when I was little. Dave

Philip Doolittle · Dec 13, 2011

Hello LJD: I am a 71 yr old retired Elec Engr who has a very sincere interest in asking if you would sell me personally one of your OLD receptacles for my vintage electrical item collection? I am a Old FORD 8N-B owner and farm a 3 acre garden ,and this is why I am on this site.I live in NW IND and would also like to see the old wet cell pictures as I grow winter carrots in some of the glass Batt. Cases. I am planning to donate my collection upon my passing to the FORD museum in Dearborn ,MI

barnE · Dec 13, 2011

Just noticed your pix. Only 2 terminals on this outlet. Can be 110 or 220 b ut not both. Dave

ID of old electrical outlet in farmhouse ??

LJD

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Kirk Grau

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JMOR

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LJD

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greenbeanman in Kansas

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Kirk Grau

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Mike (WA)

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DaveK(IN)

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Kirk Grau

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TomH in PA

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barnE

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Philip Doolittle

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barnE

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