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I have a component and I'd like to know what it is. The part with the small white part sticking out is magnetic, although the white part itself is plastic. The metallic part in the main cylinder near that end seems to be magnetic. Any idea as to what it could be?

image of component1 enter image description here enter image description here

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You're going to have to give us a LOT more information. As it is right now, we don't even know if this is an electronic part. Closeup and in-focus photos of both ends. Any markings. Where you got it from. What type of equipment it was used in. Etc. – David Kessner Dec 5 '11 at 21:01
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From the bad focusing, overexposure, and lack of scale, it looks most like a muffler sitting on the back seat of a car. This is therefore not a electronics question and should be closed. – Olin Lathrop Dec 5 '11 at 21:11
Just a tip to fix the overexposure: Don't photograph a light colored object in front of a dark background. The camera will tune the exposure for a good overall exposure, which in this case means a lot of light to expose the background correctly (the camera doesn't know that you are only concerned about the exposure of the foreground object). Use a paper sheet as a background (squared paper also help to estimate the size of the thing) or if you camera has this option: manually influence the exposure (about -2EV may be about right). – 0x6d64 Dec 6 '11 at 7:38
A second tip: Use the macro mode of your camera. Nearly all point-and-shoots have one, and in most cases this is activated by a button with a tulip/flower symbol (like this: blog.rubylane.com/files/u3/Photo_Macro_Icon_On_Dial.jpg). Make sure that the camera focuses on the object you want to photgraph: On Canon Cameras a green square will show up over the object where the camera focused: This quare has to be over your object. If it doesn't light up over you object: You are to close to the lens. Increase the distance, try again. Better have a bit small, sharp object than a blurry image. – 0x6d64 Dec 6 '11 at 7:44
And regardless of the mechanics of taking a picture, DON'T SHOW THE BAD PICTURES. Screwups happen. If it looks like crap, DON'T POST IT. Do it again until you get it right. A wise photographer once told me There is only one rule for being a good photographer, only show your good pictures. So simple, but so true. – Olin Lathrop Dec 6 '11 at 14:28

closed as off topic by Leon Heller, Olin Lathrop, Majenko, Brian Carlton, Kellenjb Dec 5 '11 at 21:44

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1 Answer

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It may be a version of a "magnetic push latch or a magnetic lathc with a mechanical detent as shown below.

If so, this is not "electronic per se but does use magnetism.

In the ones shown below the end is spring loaded can be pushed in if extended and will then latch "in". If pushed again it will releases the latch and spring out when pressure is released. Used in conjunction with a magnetic material plate, with the latch on an eg cupboard body and plate on a door you can get push home to close / push again to open doors.

In your one the small tip MAY press in but not latch. If so this may be a small wall mounted magnet to attract a plate in a door with the tip providing centering. Or not.

enter image description here enter image description here

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