What type of security would require a small box that fits into an outlet with wires that lead into the wall?
Question:I recently moved into a condo that was empty awhile waiting to be sold. I just noticed there is a small square box plugged into one of the outlets, secured on one end with a screw, and the box has wires which lead into the inside of the wall by the outlet.
I saw this box before, but originally thought it was part of the conditioner, but this is completely seperate. The box is also hot which means power is being used.
BTW, there is also a small metal box attached to the wall inside one of my closets. It's obvious the previous owners had a security system. Is it possible there could be any loss to my privacy with this box being plugged in? Could it probably have my light bill higher than necessary? I'm hesitant to remove the box because of the wires. Is it safe to just leave it? How could I find out what company previously provided the service if it is some type of surveilance, and what do you think the small box is for?
Answers:
The small box plugged into an outlet is a power supply, similar to what you might have to charge a laptop computer. It is meant to be plugged in all the time which is why there is a screw keeping it in place. As you suspect, it may be for an alarm system, although it could also be for a digital telephone or answering machine. But since it is hot, there is something connected to it.
An electrician would have a probe that would help him to trace the path of the wire inside the wall. But since you probably don't have a probe, tracing the wire will be somewhat more difficult. However, the wire was probably installed after the walls were put up, which means that its path inside the wall will be short.
You might try opening the box in your closet. You should see the same wire coming into the box as the wire on the power supply plugged into the outlet. You may also see a telephone wire, which is usually two pair, with the main phone line red and green, and the second phone line (if present) black and yellow. If it is an alarm system, there may also be a number of wires going to the sensors.
Hopefully there will be some identification inside the box that will tell you what it is, and also the company that installed or services it.
You could try unplugging the power supply to see what happens. There may be some LEDs inside the box that will go dark. I would not leave it connected until I determined what it is for. You might also check with your homeowner's association.
Wire shouldn't just be running up into the wall, but....
It could be for a fire alarm system, phones, security alarms, energy management system, ... any number of things.
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