this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2023
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What is this thing?
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Looks like a antique double pole single throw switch (DPST) meaning it has two single switches connected mechanically but separate electrically (it can switch on and off two circuits at the same time). The contacts look fairly beefy so I would guess it could handle fair amount of current and the lock may have been to just keep people from getting shocked. Might have been the cutoff for the power to the bell board.
Edit: Looked around and can’t find one like that. Is there a plate on it anywhere? Could you show the cover and back of the box.
Guessing by the size of the wires this was meant to switch Mains power and was set u to cut/connect both legs at the same time. Since you mentioned a butler call board, it could have been used like this.![](https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/9041e0e7-1bfa-4043-802c-71da6e08b714.png)