In order to make it possible to communicate between different
departments and rooms in large establishments, such as warehouses, factories, or offices,
without the aid of a telephone exchange, intercommunication instruments have for a long
time been in use. These instruments have been made of various patterns, but it is common
to all of them that one instrument
can by means of a simple manipulation on the instrument itself be brought into
communication with any other instrument on the same installation.
We have for some time past been making instruments of this
description, but as the demand has largely increased lately we have found it necessary to
devise a new system, which we claim is a decided improvement on the old ones, and which we
are sure will give every satisfaction.
The instruments are manufactured for installations of 10,
15, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 6o lines, and they can properly be divided into two groups, viz.,
instruments for 10, 15 and 20 lines, and instruments for 30 lines and upwards.
The first-mentioned pattern is partly made with the switch and
the telephone instrument combined, and partly with the switch fitted separately. In either
case the switching is done by turning the pointer of the switch to the number required.
When the instrument is not in use the switch should be left in its normal position, which
is marked A.
The latter pattern is made with the switch separate from the
telephone instrument. The switch is fitted with one spring jack for each line, and also
with one jack A (normal position), and a plug and cord for switching. A connection is
effected by placing the plug in the jack of the line required. When not in use the plug
should be inserted in the jack marked A.
A most important improvement is that the numbers on the switch
run consecutively, so that all instruments are exactly alike. There are several other
improvements in the construction, in particular, if the switch or plug, as the case may
be, is not returned to the normal position A, the bell of the instrument will still ring
if a call is made from any of the other instruments. The call can, of course, not be
answered until the pointer of the switch, or the plug, is in the position A.
Another point is that, if either of the two persons connected
omits to return his switch or plug to A, and a third person calls, only the bell of the
called instrument will ring, the other one being cut out.
With regard to the lines, our intercommunication instruments can be divided into two
distinct groups, viz., instruments working on single lines with a common return, and
instruments working on metallic circuits. In installations of twenty or more stations, or
when the lines are of considerable length, we strongly recommend the use of metallic
circuits. When several conversations are going on simultaneously on a single line system,
overhearing by induction between the lines is rather bad. This drawback is absolutely
overcome by the use of metallic circuits.
The price of metallic-circuit instruments is only slightly higher than that for single
line ones. The cable used for metallic line instruments consists of twice as many wires as
are required for single line instruments, the increase ill price, however, is not very
considerable.
Instruments for more than twenty lines are only made for metallic circuits, but they call,
of course, be used on single lines if required. If desired, single line instruments
are made to order.
Inter-communication instruments are made both for battery and magneto ringing.
The chief advantage of battery-ringing instruments is the convenience of only having to
press the button when giving a signal. Oil the other hand there are several disadvantages,
one being that the ringing battery has to be renewed periodically, and that the signal is
unreliable if the insulation of the cable has been damaged through damp or mechanical
injury.
For these reasons magneto-ringing instruments have lately been used more and wore, and we
particularly call attention to the advantage, not to say necessity, of using this system
of calling for large installations with long lines. Should an installation be
required for less than ten lines, or for a number not found in our Catalogue, the
instrument for the next higher number should be used and the surplus numbers left blank.
In most cases it is advisable to have a few spare numbers, as the first cost is only
slightly increased, and to change the whole system for one or two lilies afterwards found
necessary involves a heavy expense, as all the instruments would have to be taken out and
replaced by others for a larger number of lines.
Inter-communication instruments are divided into the following groups, viz.
GROUP 1
Battery-Ringing Inter-Communication Telephone Instruments for Installations of 10,
15, or 20 Single Lines.
These instruments include both the switching, arrangements and the telephone instrument.
The switch is provided with a handle and pointer, to be placed oil the number required, a
trembling bell, a press button S (on the left-hand side of the instrument) for ringing,
and a press button T (on the right-hand Side of the instrument), by means of which two
instruments engaged in a conversation can be connected with each other by two separate
wires instead of using the common return wire. There is also fitted a hand
micro-telephone, with a key in the handle, and an induction coil.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
To Make a Call.
To Answer a Call.
If the persons conversing should find that the induction from other lines is troublesome, this call be remedied, to a considerable extent, by the called subscriber turning the pointer of his switch to the originating subscriber's number, and both of them keeping the keys T pressed down as long as the conversation lasts.
GROUP 2
Battery-Ringing Inter-communication Telephone Instruments for 10, 15 and 20 Metallic lines
These instruments are very similar to those for single lines and include both the switch
and the telephone instrument. The press button T is, however omitted, because the
instruments are constructed for metallic lines.
GROUP 3
Inter-Communication Switches, for 10, 15, and 20 Metallic Lines, to be used in connection
with Magneto-Ringing Telephone Instruments.
These instruments include the switching arrangements only, and are to be used in connection with magneto-ringing telephone instruments. They are only made for metallic circuits. The switches are provided with a pointer, which, in the normal position, should point to A, and the switching is done by turning the pointer to the number required.
The manipulation of the instruments is exactly the same as already described under
Group 2, except that the calling is done from the attached telephone instrument,
GROUP 4
Inter-Communication Switches, for 30, 40, 50, and 60 Metallic Lines, to be used in
connection with Magneto or Battery Ringing Telephone Instruments
These switches are constructed for metallic circuits, and include one jack for each line,
a home jack A, and a cord with plug for switching. When the switches are not used, the
plug should be placed in the home jack. The calling of a certain line is effected by
inserting the plug in the corresponding jack, the signal being given from the attached
telephone instrument.
The manipulating of these switches is exactly the same as already described under
Groups 1 to 3.
Taken from the Ericsson Telephone Catalogue 1903
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