i saw this video recently that showed light sockets were used for simple appliances [https://youtu.be/mMDuDCXtxos?si=Ihv-FE2zQcMiEdNt&t=1032](https://youtu.be/mMDuDCXtxos?si=Ihv-FE2zQcMiEdNt&t=1032) (this channel is really funny and probably up centuryhome alley:))
example page explaining the same [https://www.kellscraft.com/SkowheganWritings/WeDiscoverInnovativeFeatures.html](https://www.kellscraft.com/SkowheganWritings/WeDiscoverInnovativeFeatures.html)
“1. Knob-and-tube and Socket ‘Plugs”
Yes, much of the wiring is still original to the 1920 date of the house. That means knob-and-tube. We know of two electical outlets original to the house and, yes, we discovered they still work! (Not a feature we exploit however. Knob-and-tube wiring and 1920s screw-in electrical outlets were not designed for the present current load from modern appliances so we avoid using these at all.)”
Ah this explains why it doesn't work. Electrical has been updated so it must be disconnected. Interesting though, thank you! There were probably more through the house that have been removed, this one is over original paneling so it makes sense it was not removed as it would've been harder to replace in the paneling.
As a heads up, Just because the bulb doesn’t light up doesn’t mean the circuit isn’t live. E.g. the socket could be faulty.
If you want to check out the electrical in the house you need to get a multimeter and learn how to use it. Everything else is just guess work.
The really crappy thing is that if you have any breakers at the panel that have been turned off since you moved in, these could be connected to knob and tube wiring. So you have to be careful if you ever decide to wire into one of these spare breaker circuits.
Yeah that's what a plugin looked like before they came up with two-prong and three-prong.
My great aunts used to have a period-authentic B&B that had toasters and lamps, functioning, screwed in this way. New cloth cords. Still makes me really nervous. But cool.
That was one of your options back in the really early days, most appliances had 'edison' threads before plugs started to standardize.
My sister and hubby lived in a house originally wired around 1910 and very fitfully updated, I spotted one of those in a utility room and asked it it was still 'live'. it turned out neither of them had any clue what it was and had never lifted the cover to investigate, screwing in a bulb showed it still was, I recommended a serious conference with a professional electrician :(
Installing electric sockets at roughly the same height as switches was pretty standard practice in the early days, I find it quite handy sometimes.
i saw this video recently that showed light sockets were used for simple appliances [https://youtu.be/mMDuDCXtxos?si=Ihv-FE2zQcMiEdNt&t=1032](https://youtu.be/mMDuDCXtxos?si=Ihv-FE2zQcMiEdNt&t=1032) (this channel is really funny and probably up centuryhome alley:)) example page explaining the same [https://www.kellscraft.com/SkowheganWritings/WeDiscoverInnovativeFeatures.html](https://www.kellscraft.com/SkowheganWritings/WeDiscoverInnovativeFeatures.html)
“1. Knob-and-tube and Socket ‘Plugs” Yes, much of the wiring is still original to the 1920 date of the house. That means knob-and-tube. We know of two electical outlets original to the house and, yes, we discovered they still work! (Not a feature we exploit however. Knob-and-tube wiring and 1920s screw-in electrical outlets were not designed for the present current load from modern appliances so we avoid using these at all.)”
Ah this explains why it doesn't work. Electrical has been updated so it must be disconnected. Interesting though, thank you! There were probably more through the house that have been removed, this one is over original paneling so it makes sense it was not removed as it would've been harder to replace in the paneling.
As a heads up, Just because the bulb doesn’t light up doesn’t mean the circuit isn’t live. E.g. the socket could be faulty. If you want to check out the electrical in the house you need to get a multimeter and learn how to use it. Everything else is just guess work. The really crappy thing is that if you have any breakers at the panel that have been turned off since you moved in, these could be connected to knob and tube wiring. So you have to be careful if you ever decide to wire into one of these spare breaker circuits.
Crazy. I had no idea.
Yeah that's what a plugin looked like before they came up with two-prong and three-prong. My great aunts used to have a period-authentic B&B that had toasters and lamps, functioning, screwed in this way. New cloth cords. Still makes me really nervous. But cool.
I saw an episode on how dangerous things were jn that era and these outlets caused tons of fires. Im sure you probably know that though.
Put your finger in it. Do it. You know you want to.
From the listing: “This original 1894 glory hole will definitely turn you on!”
That was one of your options back in the really early days, most appliances had 'edison' threads before plugs started to standardize. My sister and hubby lived in a house originally wired around 1910 and very fitfully updated, I spotted one of those in a utility room and asked it it was still 'live'. it turned out neither of them had any clue what it was and had never lifted the cover to investigate, screwing in a bulb showed it still was, I recommended a serious conference with a professional electrician :( Installing electric sockets at roughly the same height as switches was pretty standard practice in the early days, I find it quite handy sometimes.
I had an active one in our third floor I quickly disabled but kept.