Indicators such as servant bell box were an essential part of household communication in large homes, especially during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It allowed members of the household to summon servants from different parts of the house.
These systems were crucial for maintaining the smooth operation of large households, ensuring that servants could be efficiently summoned to provide service as needed.
Typically the D.C. battery or for low voltage A.C. (6 to 24 volts 50 cycles).
Examples of usage
- Bell Pulls or Levers: Rooms were equipped with bell pulls or levers that, when pulled, would activate a system of wires connected to a bell in the service area.
- Bell Board: The bells were mounted on a board, often located in stairwells, outside servants’ quarters, or in service areas. Each bell was labeled to indicate which room was calling.
- Visual Indicators: Some systems included visual indicators, such as a disc that would move to show which room had rung the bell.
- Communication: In some advanced systems, there were speaking tubes that allowed the household members to communicate directly with the servants, specifying their needs without requiring the servant to make an extra trip.
WOOD-CASED
FIG. 23 MECHANICAL REPLACEMENT TYPE
Polished hardwood case. Substantial backboard, raised to take front, thus ensuring dustproof joint. Black and gilt glass screen (1″ diameter apertures), carried by front frame which is fixed to backboard by screws. Heavy gauge brass terminal plates with metal threaded screws and washers of ample size for ease of wiring. One resetting knob to each horizontal row. For battery or low voltage A.C. Voltage and whether A.C. or D.C. should be stated when ordering.
EXTRAS
White enamelled metal screen
Lettering of signals
Customer’s name on screen
Relay self-restoring pattern, in same case-D.C. / A.C.
* Relay, hand replacement pattern fitted in same case
Bell or Buzzer on extended base
*Fitting of hand replacement relay adds 3″ to “A” dimension
Extension projects 3 3/8″ above top of case.
FIG. 23 MOVEMENT
Best quality mechanical replacement, drop type movement on substantial brass frame. Spring controlled armature ensures perfect locking in re-set position. Coil wound with enamelled copper wire and mounted on soft iron core.
FIG. 23 MOVEMENT
FIG. 23 MECHANICAL REPLACEMENT TYPE
METAL-CLAD
FIG. 12 MECHANICAL REPLACEMENT TYPE
Wrought iron case with screw-fixed brass front-plate, bronzed as standard or enamelled cream or white as specified. One inch diameter glazed apertures.
Two types-surface or flush fixing. Both types provided with reset knob, projecting through front-plate for each horizontal row of signals.
Cases drilled !- ” clearance holes at top for conduit entry. Cobex labels above signals supplied blank or lettered to instructions.
For battery or low voltage A.C. Voltage and whether A.C. or D.C. should be stated when ordering.
N.B.-Flush Fixing Type. Front-plate overhangs above dimensions tir ” all round, i.e. add i ” to A & B dimensions to obtain size of front-plate. Replacement
knobs project ! ” through front-plate.
Surface Fixing Type. Front-plate has no overhang. Replacement knobs project ¼ ” through front plate.
EXTRAS
Buzzer in same case
Self-restoring relay in same case-D.C. / A.C.
Relay, hand replacement pattern, fitted in same case
*Sizes also apply when fitted with either bell, buzzer, self-restoring relay or hand replacement relay (reset by signal replacement).
fitted with hand replacement relay having separate reset, 3″ should be added to dimension “B”.
FIG. 12 MECHANICAL REPLACEMENT TYPE
METAL-CLAD
FIG. P 12 (High-Voltage) MECHANICAL REPLACEMENT TYPE
W rought iron case with screw-fi xed, brass front-plate, bronzed as standard or enamelled cream or white as specified . One inch diameter glazed apertures.
Two types-surface or flush fixing. Both types provided with reset knob for each horizontal row of signals and projecting through front-plate. Cases drilled ¾” clearance holes at top for conduit entry. Cobe x labels above signals supplied blank or lettered to instructions. Movements mounted on high quality insulation base. All internal connections wired with suitably insulated wire.
For mains supply up to 250 volts A.C. or D.C. Voltage and whether A.C. or D.C. should be stated when ordering.
N.B. Flush Fixing Type. Front-plate overhangs above dimensions ¼” all round, i. e. add t” to A & B dimensions to obtain size of front-plate. Replacement knobs project ¼” through front-plate.
Surface Fixing Type. Replacement knobs project¼” through front-plate.
EXTRAS
Buzzer in same case
Self-restoring relay in same case. A.C . or D.C.
* Relay, hand replacement pattern, fitted in same case
*Sizes also apply when fitted with either bell, buzzer, self-restoring relay or hand replacement relay (reset by signal replacement).
If fitted with hand replacement relay having separate reset, 3″ should be added to dimension “B”.
FIG. P 12 MOVEMENT
Best quality mechanical drop type movement on substantial brass frame. Spring-controlled armature ensures perfect locking in re-set position. Coil wound and insulated according to voltage and type of Mains supply.
FIG. 23 MOVEMENT
FIG. P 12 MECHANICAL REPLACEMENT TYPE
MARINE TYPE
FIG. 232 MARINE TYPE
Solid Teak case, suitably polished and with separate terminal compartment at top. Front covers fixed by metal threaded screws in brass eyelets. The whole constructed to provide a dust and insect-proof indicator, especially suitable for conditions afloat.
White enamelled metal screen with 1″ diameter bevelled round apertures.
Glazed front.
Resetting knob for each horizontal row of signals, guarded to prevent accidental or rough resetting. Heavy gauge brass terminal plates with large metal-threaded screws for ease of wiring.
For battery or low voltage A.C. Voltage and whether A.C. or D.C. should be stated when ordering.
N.B. Where a separate compartment is desired, to contain bell etc. , and also
where hand replacement relays are fitted, it should be noted that this will increase
overall dimensions given above.
EXTRAS
Lettering of signals
Self-restoring relay in same case, D.C.
Relay, hand replacement pattern, fitted in same case
Buzzer on extended base
Bell in separate compartment of Indicator …
Change-over switch in same case …
3″ Underdome Bell or Buzzer mounted on extension outside
Indicator at bottom
FIG. 232 MOVEMENT
Best quality, ships locking pattern, mechanical replacement movement on stout brass frame. Spring controlled armature ensures perfect locking in re-set position. Coil wound with enamelled copper wire and mounted on soft iron core.
FIG. 23 MOVEMENT
FIG. 232 MECHANICAL REPLACEMENT TYPE
EXECUTIVES'
FIG. 281/283 EXECUTIVES’ SIGNAL INDICATOR SET
For controlling the traffic in and out of the busy executive’s office.
The touch of a button on the Fig. 281 Desk fitting illuminates the appropriate signal outside the door and also a monitor signal on the Desk fitting. This prevents signals being left on or overlooked.
Each signal is provided with a separate cancelling button.
Polished hardwood cases with matt nickel front plates. Signal lamps behind lettered Cobex discs and Perspex “glasses”-1″ diameter monitor signals, 1½” diameter door signals. Two erinoid push buttons (Red for operating and Black for cancelling) to each signal on Desk fitting, which is complete with 6 ft. multicore flex and bakelite rosette. Four-signal fittings are also available (the fourth signal being lettered “URGENT MATTERS ONLY” or similar). Single signal models also available with push buttons below signal. Operating pushes on all models are arranged with “overpress” contacts for operating a buzzer if required. This is sometimes desirable if the signal set is used for calling individuals (e.g., ”TYPIST,” “CLERK,” “MESSENGER,” “SECRETARY”) instead of for desk-door signalling.
Operating voltage
Lamps …
12 v. A.C. from transformer secondary.
6 v. 3 watt M.E.S.
FIG. 281 Desk Fitting
FIG. 283 Door Fitting.
Indicator for mounting outside door of executive’s off ice.
IMPORTANT NOTE.-Lamps employed are 6 v. 3 watt M. E. S. on 12 v. A.C. , i.e., corresponding signal lamps in each fitting are in series. This makes apparent any failure of a door signal lamp.
BUZZERS: We recommend the use of our Fig. 364 type underdome pattern Buzzer (12 v. A.C.) where required.
WIRING
The drops of an annunciator are wired up as in Fig. 56.
One end of each coil is attached to a common return wire C, the other end going to the push P. When P is depressed, the circuit of any drop is through M along C through bell, battery and up common battery wire W back to other contact of push P. Depressing any push does not therefore affect any other drop but the one controlled by it.
FIG. 56
WIRING UP AN ANNUNCIATOR
A diagram of the connections for an annunciator with a separate bell is given in Fig. 57. Where the bell is con- tained in the case a terminal will be generally found for connection.
The figure shows a wire running from the bat- tery to one side of each push button. This is the common return, or battery wire, and saves installing two wires from each push. It should be larger, however, than the rest of the wires, gener- ally about No. 16 B. & S.
All the wires for an annunciator should be run before connecting up. There are different methods of sorting out the wires at the annunciator. One way is to connect the wires (except of course common or battery return wires) to the drops in any order. Then an assistant travels from push to push and presses each button.
FIG. C57
LIST PRICING
LIST PRICING
Products in circulation today
Gents’ of Leicester Telephone for Party Line Intercommunication FIG. R.50
