Abstract
THE problem of installing a system of telephones from a jorjvate telephone installation such as is used by a large business organisation privately owned. Flat dwellers, although resident in one building and indirectly employing a common staff, are independent members of the public. Hence in those countries where the provision of telephone communication is a monopoly either of the State or of companies acting under charter, the establishment of a system which enables tenants of flats to communicate with each other would be illegal. A telephone system for flats does not provide for intercommunication between tenants. The objects are to obtain immediate communication with the hall attendant and in some cases with the kitchen, garage and administrative office. In the Osram G.E.C. Bulletin of February, a telephone system is described in which the connexions are made to a ‘reply panel’ and not to a switchboard. It is designed to operate on the standard A.C. mains supply, a small power unit supplying direct current for speech and lamps so that no batteries are required. The ‘buzzer’ is also operated from the A.C. mains and hence the possibility of interference with radio sets in the building is removed. A picture is shown of a typical reply panel equipped for forty lines to flats. In addition, there are four service lines enabling the flat lines to be connected with all service lines, and ten ‘tie lines’ giving connexion when wanted to other panels. Each flat has a connecting plug associated with a calling lamp: there is also a buzzer on the panel giving an audible signal and thus relieving the attendant from the necessity of paying attention to the board except when his services are actually needed.
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Telephones for Use in Apartment Flats. Nature 137, 734 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/137734b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/137734b0