Device found in the Desert

[Chainbreaker]

I'm trying to identify a device that was discovered in the Arizona desert, someone has found about a dozen of these over the years, scattered about, while walking their dog. It's entirely plastic except for the springs, pushing the plunger closes the threaded hole:

Thanks for taking a look.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[Monty]

I have seen a similar looking item in the wiring of my toaster and any other small appliance that creates heat. I don't know just what it is supposed to do though. Monty

 

[AU24K]

Possibly some type of electrical connector?

Scott

 

[CRUSADER]

Possibly some type of electrical connector?

Scott

Can't put my finger on it, but its an electrical component like an insulator for ?

 

[Kiwijohn]

The springs and the white topped pins (one missing?) seem to indicate a circuit breaker.

 

[CRUSADER]

The springs and the white topped pins (one missing?) seem to indicate a circuit breaker.

sounds about right, had similar in my storage heater

 

[Broken knee]

Could it be a switch for an electric fence? At the point of a gate possibly?
Broken Knee

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It's entirely plastic except for the springs, pushing the plunger closes the threaded hole:

Are you sure its plastic? It looks like ceramic. Touch it with a hot butter knife to see if it melts.

 

[Produce Guy]

It looks like a lock for a sliding glass door,I have 1 on my door.

 

[CRUSADER]

It's entirely plastic except for the springs, pushing the plunger closes the threaded hole:

Are you sure its plastic? It looks like ceramic. Touch it with a hot butter knife to see if it melts.

agreed, the item is ceramic

 

[Chainbreaker]

It's entirely plastic except for the springs, pushing the plunger closes the threaded hole:

Are you sure its plastic? It looks like ceramic. Touch it with a hot butter knife to see if it melts.

Someone had sent me the photos, I don't have access to the device, but they said that it feels more like very hard plastic. The tip of a knife can scratch it easily. It's old enough to be crumbly. Maybe it is ceramic, but the person who found it thinks it's plastic

Also, the dark gray area might have been its original color since those parts were protected from the weather.

 

[CRUSADER]

It's entirely plastic except for the springs, pushing the plunger closes the threaded hole:

Are you sure its plastic? It looks like ceramic. Touch it with a hot butter knife to see if it melts.

Someone had sent me the photos, I don't have access to the device, but they said that it feels more like very hard plastic. The tip of a knife can scratch it easily. It's old enough to be crumbly. Maybe it is ceramic, but the person who found it thinks it's plastic

Also, the dark gray area might have been its original color since those parts were protected from the weather.

Its heat/smoke damage, this item got very hot.

 

[Chainbreaker]

I think the answer has been found for this device, a miner from the area says that it's a connector that was used in seismic testing, in which small explosions are created so that the seismic reflection can be studied to understand the geometry of subsurface layers.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think the answer has been found for this device, a miner from the area says that it's a connector that was used in seismic testing, in which small explosions are created so that the seismic reflection can be studied to understand the geometry of subsurface layers.

interesting

 

[Chainbreaker]

I think the answer has been found for this device, a miner from the area says that it's a connector that was used in seismic testing, in which small explosions are created so that the seismic reflection can be studied to understand the geometry of subsurface layers.

I'm considering this one to be still unsolved, the 'seismic testing connector' answer sounded good at first but it hasn't been verified and doesn't explain the plunger. If I get any more information on this device I'll post it.

 

[Digaplug]

It looks like an Interlock to me. They are used in moving electronic machines to stop the motion if a door is opened, for safety.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It looks like an Interlock to me. They are used in moving electronic machines to stop the motion if a door is opened, for safety.

Can you find a matching pic online?

 

[Digaplug]

It looks like an Interlock to me. They are used in moving electronic machines to stop the motion if a door is opened, for safety.

Can you find a matching pic online?

Safety standards change quickly and often, and they are used on such a varied range of products from washers and dryers to airplanes.
When the part with the spring is pushed "in" the door is closed, when it is "out", the door is open.
It would have had two wires connected to it. When the switch is closed it provides a short between the two wires, when the switch is open, the connection is open.
I will try to look a little bit more later. The links below are to a websites that sell similar products.

http://www.schmersalusa.com/machine...ductID=&S_Description=&Search.x=25&Search.y=5

http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/976619-switch-door-interlock-spdt-15a-23tl604.html

http://www.haake-technik.com/frame.php?lang=uk&page=1&mp-pvid=1-1O82tQ-Csa-1PFzKT

 

[lennon631]

Not for nuttin', but if they are plastic, they could be simple cabinet or glass door pushes. Like those used to open those glass doors on tv cabinets that you push the door to pop it open?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think its a possibility but what were they doing in the desert?