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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Default What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    This device (picture 1) was located in a box to the side of a load-side panel in a basement - the box in which it was mounted is to the left of the load-side panel in pictures 2 & 3.

    (The odd "stain" at the left hand side of the second and third pictures is an artifact introduced when I pulled up a shadowed area in Photoshop.)

    Identification?

    Function?

    Thanks in advance

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  2. #2
    Robert Meier's Avatar
    Robert Meier Guest

    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    It looks like a 4-pole contactor. Nothing more than a fancy electrically operated 4-pole switch.


  3. #3
    Garry Blankenship's Avatar
    Garry Blankenship Guest

    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    It's a 30 or 40 amp rated, ( too much strobe light ), relay or contactor, ( I've forgotten what discriminates one from the other ). Regardless an electic coil operated control device. Often used to start & stop a motor, but it can control any electrical device within it's maximum allowable amperage limits, ( outside lights, a gate motor, a central vac system, a heater, or ? ). There will be some control wires involved that go to some push buttons, a switch, a photo-cell or some other remote control device, ( in this case obviously not wireless ).


  4. #4
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    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    There *is* a central vac installed at this property...

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Orlando, FL
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    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    This data sheet from Potter & Brumfield decodes the specs (P30P49...)

    http://documents.tycoelectronics.com...=DS&DocLang=EN


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Chico,Ca
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    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    It is a old (Siemens* owned Potter & Brumfield for years) definite purpose DP contactor, if you look at the label notice the RU & the lack of a UL symbol it's a UL recognized component of UL listed equipment, it is not UL listed.



    * Not sure if they still still do.


  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Snowbird (this means I'm retired and migrate between locations), FL/MI
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    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    Its marked AMF that's the pre-Siemens owner of P & B, which coincides with the '83 mfg date stamp of the recognized componant.

    Hey M.T., did the property have multiple sump pumps? an ejector for the basement? a water treatment system? private water supply/Pressure tank or If public supply, only available within the last two decades? If no, then I'd best-guess can't trace a wire via pic - go with the central vac.

    Mag contactor, as you indicated in your title, yep, its just a recognized componant (likely after-warranty or after-original application replacement sourced gray market part).

    Edited to add:

    P.S. I just slapped myself in the head when I (duh moment ) realized it was a 120 Vac coil. Ix-nay on the well pump/pressure tank question!

    Last edited by H.G. Watson, Sr.; 04-21-2012 at 10:09 PM. Reason: added post script after head self-slapping moment.

  8. #8
    Lou Romano's Avatar
    Lou Romano Guest

    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    AMF? It must be for their personal in-house bowling alley


  9. #9
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    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    Seriously AMF (1970-ish f/k/a American Machine and Foundry since 1900-ish) owned Potter & Brumfield until the hostle Jacobs/Minstar Inc. takeover in 1985 upon which AMF was busted up and assets immediately sold off. P&B was sold to Siemens and the "Bowling" Division was sold to a Virginia group.

    AMF was into just about everything - from nuclear reactors to Harley Davidson, P & B, sports equipment, bicycles, bowling (1950s) & billards, and much more.


  10. #10
    cuba_pete's Avatar
    cuba_pete Guest

    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    Best yet, it's made in the U.S.A.


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
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    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    Quote Originally Posted by H.G. Watson, Sr. View Post
    Seriously AMF (1970-ish f/k/a American Machine and Foundry since 1900-ish) owned Potter & Brumfield until the hostle Jacobs/Minstar Inc. takeover in 1985 upon which AMF was busted up and assets immediately sold off. P&B was sold to Siemens and the "Bowling" Division was sold to a Virginia group.

    AMF was into just about everything - from nuclear reactors to Harley Davidson, P & B, sports equipment, bicycles, bowling (1950s) & billards, and much more.

    I hope they were better at making electrical components than they were at making motorcycles.

    Galen L. Beasley
    Inspections Supervisor
    Housing Authority of Kansas City MO

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    michigan
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    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    One good way to screw up a Harley.


  13. #13
    Join Date
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    Default Re: What am I looking at? (Electrical component identification question)

    Quote Originally Posted by bob smit View Post
    One good way to screw up a Harley.

    What do Harley & a German Shepard have in common?








    They both like to ride in the back of pickup trucks.



    Returning to the original topic......


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