What is this receptacle?

[I.B. Washincars]

This is on the front of my step-daughter and husbands house. What’s it for? The house was built in the late 50’s.

 

[New Washdog]

This is on the front of my step-daughter and husbands house. What’s it for? The house was built in the late 50’s.

It's designed for a 20 amp circuit typically for an appliance.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

It's designed for a 20 amp circuit typically for an appliance.

I’ve never seen a 20 amp like that. I wonder what it was for? It’s on the front porch.

 

[MEP001]

Did you probe the power? It could be an early 240V outlet.

 

[OurTown]

I think it's rated for 15 amps and would normally be wired for 115v. I have seen several in old houses but were the duplex type. After doing some research on them I believe they were a transitional design to accommodate cord plugs that had either the "new" parallel prongs and the old inline cord prongs. Leviton still makes a duplex version. (5000-I)

 

[OurTown]

Did you probe the power? It could be an early 240V outlet.

You would need three conductors to get that in a house in the US.

 

[OurTown]

You would need three conductors to get that in a house in the US.

Actually I'm wrong about this. Something like a water heater would technically only need the two hot wires and no neutral. Maybe there were two prong 220 plugs back in the day.

 

[eckert16]

its an old standard U.S. outlet...prior to the use of the 3 prong outlets...if the building is old enough you'll knob and tube wiring.

 

[Eric H]

It’s an early version of this emoji It’s just turned 90 degrees. ; )

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Did you probe the power? It could be an early 240V outlet.

No, my son-in-law just showed me the picture. Just really puzzled as to what it would have been for, since it's on the front porch.

 

[eckert16]

knob and tube wiring on top (white ceramics).
modern style outlets with groun on left.
older syle outlets without ground on right.
Outlet on porch: listening to the radio outside while knitting in a rocking chair.

 

[ACTcarwashlover]

Be careful some of these might only be rated for 10 amps, also Speaking of outlets that are old or unusual, can anyone let me know if they find this particular version? It’s for a friends collection just in case anybody spots one, And fun fact the two pictured below are still compatible with some countries electrical systems

 

[MEP001]

Speaking of outlets that are old or unusual, can anyone let me know if they find this particular version?

Check eBay, there's tons of NOS of this stuff people are selling.

 

[New Washdog]

I’ve never seen a 20 amp like that. I wonder what it was for? It’s on the front porch.

Why do some receptacle outlets have a T-shaped hole?

howtolookatahouse.com
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Aug 23, 2020 — The T-shaped slot indicates that the 120-volt receptacle is rated for 20-amps. Regular wall receptacles with a pair of vertical slots are ...

 

[Vortec6000]

I'm no electrician but interesting article on Wikipedia, looks like maybe a Leviton 5000-I

History of AC power plugs and sockets - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Thanks,

Nic