What is this device

[cnystul (Cory Nystul)]

I have absolutely no idea what this is? has anybody ever seen something like this? the house was from 1940. With all the bad wiring i found its a miracle the hosue hasn’t burned down.

[mlarson (Michael Larson, WI Lic. # 1672-106)]

@cnystul

I have absolutely no idea what this is? has anybody ever seen something like this? the house was from 1940. With all the bad wiring i found its a miracle the hosue hasn’t burned down.

Telephone lightning resistor and spark gap.

http://pre-wire.tripod.com/interfaces_and_protectors.html

[mlarson (Michael Larson, WI Lic. # 1672-106)]

Soon after telephone networks began to spring up across the countryside, the Bell Telephone Company realized that there was a danger to both the company’s property, and the property of subscribers, from such perils as lightning strikes on the network, and accidental inter-connection with power lines. As a remedy, Bell Laboratories developed protective fuses, such as the one above, which were installed at the customer’s location to protect the equipment and incoming phone lines against accidental voltage spikes on the line. While modern phone systems still use a fusible protective device in the terminal box coming from the phone company, evidence of these early 1900s relics can still be found in some older residences.

[lannee (Louis Annee, CMI, HI00600219)]

I worked as a tech for ATT for 10 Years. Mike is correct. It is a lightning protector for a phone line

[jdenby (Jason M. Denby)]

I like mike… He knows his stuff :))

[maltizer (Michael Altizer, CMI)]

You learn something new everyday.

[twitt (Thomas Witt, CMI MD. Lic. # 30933)]

Yup, see those frequently here in old BalTeeMore!

[mclark2 (Michael Clark, CMI)]

@lannee

I worked as a tech for ATT for 10 Years. Mike is correct. It is a lightning protector for a phone line

I worked for Western Electric, a sub for At&t, in the early 80’s.

I’ll never forget Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, Slate
White, Red, Black, Purple!

[rmeier2 (Robert Meier)]

There are many old homes around here that still use POTS and have these devices.

[mlarson (Michael Larson, WI Lic. # 1672-106)]

Plain
Old
Telephone
Service

Haven’t heard that use for while