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After doing some research it looks to be a bathroom auto sensor switch for either occupancy, humidity exhaust fan, or regular exhaust fan. You need to turn it to the on switch and then leave the bathroom, close the door then open it and see if a light or something comes on for occupancy. Or if that's not it then take a shower with a lot of humidity and see if an exhaust fan comes on automatically when it steams up.
If all else fails check with the builder or an electrician.
It MAY be an electrical overload sensor, we have something similar to that in one of our bathrooms, and when it turns red, it means a fuse is blown, and so we just switch it off and check the electric panel. I don't REALLY think that's what it is, but an electrician will surely know, as was suggested in the last post.
I'm still going with the whirlpool tub. Generally the GFCI for the tub is located near the motor, and many times they put in next to the toilet. While I have never seen a GFCI that had ON and OFF, it just makes sense to me.
I'm still going with the whirlpool tub. Generally the GFCI for the tub is located near the motor, and many times they put in next to the toilet. While I have never seen a GFCI that had ON and OFF, it just makes sense to me.
Huh... for every whirlpool tub I ever had (7 total), the GFCI was always in the breaker box (and a dedicated line run to each WT).
Also, for the OP that indicated it may be an 'electrical overload sensor', that would seem to be entirely redundant, as you would know the breaker is out when everything on the circuit no longer works... Also you indicated that it 'turns red' when the breaker is tripped.. Is that just a mechanical red indicator, or is it illuminated, for if it is the latter, there would need to be a second power source to the device.
The easiest thing to do, (only if you are electrically inclined), is to pull the faceplace and device, and look at it.
I concur it a Faceless GFCI for a jetted bath. I believe many electrical codes call for it to be more then 5 feet away, but less then 10 feet away from the tub.
Super.... as a home inspector since 1989 I have inspected thousands of homes, many of them with whirlpool tubs (rough guess, maybe 5,000 whirlpool tubs).
I have found the GFCI re-set in the following locations...
1. At the outlet under the tub (inside the access panel) where the pump plugs in.
2. At a GFCI breaker in the main electrical panel.
3. At a GFCI breaker in a sub panel.
4. At the GFCI outlet near the bathroom sink (on the wall).
4. Somewhere in the general area of the bathroom where the whirlpool is located. Sometimes the master bedroom closet, sometimes the small toilet room (next to the tub), sometimes on the wall near the tub.
As a home inspector I am required to, 1. make sure the whirlpool pump is protected by a GFCI, and 2. locate where it is. It is sometimes a challenge to locate the re-sets for GFCI's, since there isn't a standard for the locations.
I have found GFGCI resets for bathrooms in the following locations....
1. In each bathroom
2. One bathroom that controls all others, or some others.
3. In the garage where that GFCI may control the garage, exterior and the bathroom outlets.
4. At a GFCI breaker(s) in an electrical panel.
5. Or in one bathroom that trips another GFCI in another bathroom, so both have to be re-set for them to work again.
My 5,000 trumps your 7. :-)
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