What was this for?

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davedottcom

davedottcom

Senior Member
I came across an old Receptacle that appears to except all of the following configurations:

2-prong 120 volt 15 amp
2-prong 120 volt 20 amp
2-prong 240 volt 15 amp
2-prong 240 volt 20 amp

The receptacle is a duplex and both top and bottom outlets are identicle. They each have 2 (sideways) T shaped slots, the one T is slightly smaller then the other (Polarized). It is a non-grounding receptacle. It is marked 15A 125V.

Have the NEMA configurations changed since this thing was made? Like I said, it's old.

:confused:

Dave
 
Re: What was this for?

Dave in the past I have also come across the same receptacles.Just tossed them and replaced them but I did say W.T.H. when I encountered them
;) The ones I found were from the 40`s to 50`s era,Oh great now I show my age ;)
 
Re: What was this for?

It's definitely strange...I'm thinking about installing it in my Dining Rm, as a 1/2 hot! :p

But seriously, I've never seen an appliance that would match the "Ungrounded" 220V 15 & 20 A configurations.


If it even Is a 220V configuration?? (It's marked 125V)

Dave
 
Re: What was this for?

Dave, did it look something like this?

Mvc-015f.jpg


Roger
 
Re: What was this for?

T slot two wire duplexes like the above have been sold new, at least as late as 1985 when I purchased the box below.

I don't know about current availability.

The history of this configuration goes back to the beginning of the 1900s. There were several competing standards that eventually ceased production, but the installed hardware, cord caps for 115 Volt equipment with horizontal blades, was supported with backwards compatible receptacles like these.

TSlot2WireDuplex.jpg
 
Re: What was this for?

Al, thanks...looks like you have a "Collector's Item" there!

I was thinking it was crazy to have an outlet, oops sorry, a Receptacle, that could have 120 or 220...BUT then I realized that putting 220V to it would be a violation since it is marked 125V. Still, it could do some damage if someone plugged in a 220V appliance. It's hard to believe it was still available in the 80's. :eek:

Thanks for the History Lesson!

Dave
 
Re: What was this for?

I'm going to stop coming to this Forum as soon as I learn everything!
;)

Dave

[ March 30, 2005, 11:01 AM: Message edited by: davedottcom ]
 
Re: What was this for?

LOL, Dave :)

This is a pretty amazing medium, is it not? The community building at its heart leads us all to be better. . .now, looking at my checklist of things remaining to learn, I see only two things left. . .maybe I'll be done by the end of this afternoon!

Not! :D
 
Re: What was this for?

Roger, are those your spotless fingers?

Those old boxes of receptacles are neato Al.

1450 Brown. I wonder if that number jives with the industry nowadays.
 
Re: What was this for?

Al,

Was that receptacle old stock that happened to be purchased "new" in 1985, or new stock purchased new?

It sure looks like an old gem to me. I have a few similar goodies from Hubbel, GE, Arrow Hart, etc. still in their original boxes from 50's, 60's and 70's (purchased as samples from when my dad worked at the now defunct GE Wiring Devices in the early 70's).
 
Re: What was this for?

Originally posted by physis:
Roger, are those your spotless fingers?
Click to expand...
Yeah, my wife made be clean up before I could post the picture. Don't fret though, if nothing else my garden keeps my callouses in tact. ;)

Roger
 
Re: What was this for?

Originally posted by rcarroll:
allenwayne, you showed your age when you said goodnight to gracie & george :D . Sorry, I'll go back to the land of lotta reading & little posting
Click to expand...
Thanks that makes me feel better,at least I remember them as reruns :D Who here watched the originals :cool:
 
Re: What was this for?

Sam & Peter,

The Paulding #1450 T slot receptacles were new stock at my supplier in 1985.

The Paulding company closed its doors in '86 or '87.

That box has been rattling around in my truck all this time. When all my customer wants done is to restore an existing 2 wire receptacle to service, I have made it a point to install the non- T slots, if I have them. That's been pretty much all the time except for the purchase of this box of "throw backs." In two decades I've used four of 'em.
 
Re: What was this for?

I have also seen a real wierd configuration in Cleveland where there are 4 slots in the receptacle. Two of them are parallel blade and two of them are tandem blade evidentally for 240 volts.

Also, Mahoning County, Ohio had a local rule that required that there be both 120 volts and 240 available at each kitchen receptacle. Evidentally, there was a minority of manufacturers who tried to make the 1/2 HP and larger small appliances 240 volts.
 
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