Penn box on kitchen cold water pipe?

[Nothingeverworks]

I suppose Penn is the manufacturer. It has electrical wires. (pics below)
Does anyone happen to know what it is or it's purpose?

Thanks

 

[Doherty Plumbing]

I have never seen anything like that.... It looks old

But it resembles what might be a solenoid valve of some kind....

I even tried searching google but didn't find anything.

Edit

This may help though:

Name: Penn Valve and Fitting Company
Street: 2440 Maryland Road
Willow Grove, pa 19090-1711
Phone: (215) 657-2900

 

[Sponsor]

 

[JohnjH2o1]

It is a solenoid valve, they were used so the water had to be turned on to run the disposal.

John

 

[Nothingeverworks]

thanks. there must have been an insinkerator once upon a time.

 

[hj]

It is a flow switch, not a solenoid, but its purpose was to insure flow while using the disposer.