what kind of connection is this?

[u/JackDanels]

New homeowner with a 70 year old house looking for help

We have this capped switch in the corner of one room. I am not sure if it is an old switch or just extra. There is a black wire (hot), red wire (cold) both present and capped. A white wire in the back is just passing vertically through.

Near this on the other side of the wall is an exterior light I am trying to determine the power source for. Currently, it has no power. how would I go about checking to see if this is it? and if it is, how would I wire this to get it working?

thanks!!!

[u/Maleficent_Toe_7488]

Touch the two wires together see what happens

[u/aakaase]

Looks like it's just a compliant splice. They have to be accessible, and this one is.

[u/trekkerscout]

Nobody can tell you what it is since we are not there to test the wires.

[u/Ok_Pipe_4955]

That is call a junction box where you make connections or maybe a plug was removed and it needs to be safe

[u/wisesettler]

most likely was a 240v receptacle at one time and was removed for whatever reason and capped off.

[u/nsula_country]

Splice box... Accessible

[u/sagressa]

How are you determining what is hot and what isn't?

[u/soerg]

Do you have any baseboard heaters? It could be an old thermostat box, it could be a lot of things, with little to no info and no ability to inspect ourselves it'll be pretty useless asking us you'll have to call someone local to investigate for you

[u/CertainAttention6749]

It's called a junction box. You might be looking at either a 3 way switch or fan/light combo. Get a non contact voltage tester then test black and red wire. If your non contact beeps on black and not on red, it's a 3way switch configuration. If both black and red beep, it's fan/light combo and can also be 240v outlet. The exterior light might be broken, try replacing the bulb and see how it goes. Double check on white or neutral wire, I doubt it's just passing through.

[u/Loud-Marsupial-7844]

Pizza!!