I've just recently bought a house, and when I was debating about whether to remove some wood paneling, I noticed that one of the outlets in the wall has a very unusual plug configuration. It looks like an electrical outlet, but instead of being the standard 3-pin outlet, it has three round holes almost in a line. It's a very shallow U shape, but the holes themselves are round. Does anyone know what these are used for? The only other clue that I have is that I am fairly sure that this is where the previous owner had their entertainment center, so it might be audio-visual connectors of some sort.

Any help appreciated.

Here is a chart of most of the popular power outlet configurations, none are as you explained.

I do remember seeing one like that years ago, I think it was for a roof antenna.

Open it up and see what kind of wire is inside.

Shaped liked which one? ELECTRICAL GUIDE

Get an electrician to check the point. Or if you are competent and understand the risk. Get a voltmeter, set it to volts AC and measure the socket.

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Originally Posted by colbtech

Shaped liked which one? ELECTRICAL GUIDE

Get an electrician to check the point. Or if you are competent and understand the risk. Get a voltmeter, set it to volts AC and measure the socket.

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It looks sort of like N or P. Closer to P, because I'm sure that they weren't in a row, but I'm not sure that they had as much of an arc to them as P has. And it curves the other way, so it makes a smile instead of a frown, but I figure that could be just how the socket was put in. And it's a double socket, if that helps any.

Well, unless you are in Switzerland I would go with your idea of the AV socket. Although it is possible that the socket is electrical I would still get an electrician in to check it out.

A couple of questions: Which country/county/state are you in? Is this the only socket of this type in the house?

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Originally Posted by tkrussell

I do remember seeing one like that years ago, I think it was for a roof antenna.

Open it up and see what kind of wire is inside.

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Bet it is twin lead. Try to find a picture of Radio shack P/N 15-1178 and 15-1198. My old house had them.

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Originally Posted by labman

Bet it is twin lead. Try to find a picture of Radio shack P/N 15-1178 and 15-1198. My old house had them.

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That looks like a likely match. This is a house built back in the 70s, in Texas. I'll get it checked out when I pull the paneling off, but most likely, if it is for an old antenna, I'll just close the hole up.

Thanks for all the help, everyone!