OT mystery device Clare ?

Oct 13, 2025 Last reply: 9 months ago 2 Replies

Hi all - in cleaning up my late brother's property we found this little device - unremarkable - until the little wire / tube was cut off - resulting in much sparks ! Can anyone here identify it ?



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John T.


It kind of looks like something you would draw a straight line with. The vertical edge is longer so that would go against the edge of a board or something and the horizontal edge sits up higher at the level of the item being drawn on. The roller appears to be the same height as the horizontal edge so that makes it easier to drag. The rectangular cutout on the horizontal edge is where you put the marker as you're dragging it.

Close ... it's some sort of temperature switch / cutout relay with the < Bourdon ? > tube cut off ... who knew the tube had volatile stuff inside ! ? I'm guessing it was removed from a water heater or a furnace. John T.

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