4 slot outlet

my son is looking to buy a house, in the dining area near a sliding door is an outlet that looks similar to a regular outlet in size, but it has 4 vertical slots in each of the 2 sections of the outlet. any ideas as to what this might be used for. I can't take it out until he actually gets in the house. Thanks

 

A picture would be helpful. Doesn't sound like any NEMA-configuration outlet I've ever heard of.

 

Might be one of the older 2 wire 120 volt receptacles.

 

You need to determine the type of conductors that terminate on this device; if they are Branch Circuit conductors that connect to switches and receptacles; Black / Red / White wires; or communication wires which could be many colors and in "pairs".

Obiously, this is best done if you are in-experienced in such porcedures with the Service dis-connect "Off".

 

I’m with pcboss,
it may in fact be a two wire (with no equipment ground) receptacle. You are throwing people for a loop when you say four slots. Are you saying each receptacle has four slots or one duplex receptacle as a whole has four slots?????? (Technical Note: A single receptacle has one individual face

 

I think I know what he's talking about, just having a hard time finding a picture.

 

When I was a kid (long, long ago) we had a receptacle in the bathroom that was in the shape of a regular (ungrounded) duplex receptacle but it had four places to plug a cord into IF the plugs were the relatively flat plugs common to lamps.

 

Not hard to find some old ones.

File:Combo-outlet.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
File:5outlet-receptacle-rotate-crop-leveladj.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

I believe I found it, yet how do you post a picture without a link? Note: The below is an old napolian type receptacle. Same as the one I post below—in my last post.

Oh well, here it “may” be [click on the picture of receptacle]:
Does anybody recognize this type of receptacle? - InterNACHI Inspection Forum

 

I had one of those outlets found in the second link in an apartment I rented. I didn't know what the heck it was for. So I tried a lamp in it and it worked. I think that was the only outlet in the room.

 

both of the below are the same. I believe one is duplex, and the other is single.
File:Combo-outlet.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and
Does anybody recognize this type of receptacle? - InterNACHI Inspection Forum

 

Post #9 has what I'm thinking.

 

Master1, are any of the photos above representing what you are asking about in your original post?

 

going with your description,it would be a duplex with 4 slots per face, it looks like you could plug 4 very flat cords,1/2" into it. I'll have to wait and get a pic. when we get back into the house. couldn't find anything like it on the web. Thanks

 

I know what he's talking about now, I just need to find a pic. I know the receptacle was made from GE. I'll need to wait until I get home, as this filter is holding me back.

 

I know what you are talking about and that is a old school quad duplext receptale they don't make that anymore historywise.,

IMO it will be wise to ditch that out due the age and the tighteness of the blades is loose and can cause the issue however .,

You have to be carefull due most older wiring in the older homes useally are not grounded so only two legit way you can do with old school wirings is use the 1-15R aka two blade recpetale or go with modern 5-15R aka three blade receptale but use the GFCI for this and use the tag say " No equiment ground " that is the only way it can meet the code.

Merci,
Marc

 

got a pic, insp. agreed with what u were calling it thanks for your time. can't seem to get pic on post though Pictures by master144139 - Photobucket

 

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/li...-pictures.html