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I have a panel of switches where two are normal light switches and the other, third, is a strange looking red push switch:

The red switch is a button that you can press in, and it pops right out when let go. It has Hubbell logon on the inside, but no part number or anything else identifiable. Searching the web, Hubbell PresSwitch seems to look similar - but description of said item indicates that it lights up, which this one doesn't. This one also doesn't seem to do anything I can observe.

Wiring wise, it is side wired with hot and neutral wires. This box has four romex cables going into it. Three are connected to the 2 normal light switches (2-pole). The fourth romex cable is connected to the red button via black and white wires. Now: white wire is connected directly to the red switch. The black wire is pig-tailed in with the red switch and one of the other black wires from another cable.

If this helps figure it out, this panel is right by the front door (switches illuminate outside lights and inside hallway light). Any ideas? I am scratching my head.

Thanks.

wiring

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  • The wiring is nothing surprising, it has a neutral for its own indicator light. It controls something that was getting left on and not obvious. For example, a switch like that exists in my garage for the attic light— when the attic pull down is closed it wouldn’t otherwise be noticeable the light is on.
    – Tyson
    Commented May 20, 2018 at 14:07
  • Is your home fitted with gutter heat?
    – Tyson
    Commented May 20, 2018 at 14:31
  • Light in basement...attic?
    – Lee Sam
    Commented May 20, 2018 at 14:34
  • Attic fan? Exterior outlet for xmas lights?
    – Aloysius Defenestrate
    Commented May 20, 2018 at 14:35
  • If homes in your neighborhood are similar sometimes asking neighbors about what switches are at their front doors can be helpful.
    – Tyson
    Commented May 20, 2018 at 14:36

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turned out to be a switch controlling attic fan, but only when thermostat in the attic actually starts it. The pilot light is actually broken so it was impossible to correlate, but with the help here I was able to finally figure it out... now on to the next thing! :)

Again thanks for very helpful guidance, I definitely learned some things along the way.

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