ANSWERING SET No. 1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTION
C MARKETING INSTALLATION
3 Internal
M1001
Issue 2, Aug 73
ANSWERING SET No. 1A
Description and Installation
INTRODUCTION
This
Instruction describes the various types of Answering Set No. 1A, which supersede the now
obsolescent Answering Set No. 1.
GENERAL
The facilities, connection and operating procedures of the different versions are the same
and this instruction will detail the differences in design and construction. The circuits
are shown on Diagram SA 5202, and Diagram Notes SA 5202 explain the circuit operation of
the machines.
FACILITIES
The Answering Set No. 1A is a device for use in a subscribers premises for the purpose of
answering telephone calls automatically and playing a recorded message to callers. The
message is of 20 seconds duration and is played twice to the caller. Recordings, on a loop
of magnetic tape, are made and checked by means of the associated telephone. Transmitter
current is supplied to the telephone from the answering set when it is switched to the
Check and Record positions. The answering set operates from a mains supply of
200-250v ac
50 Hz. It is suitable for use in auto and CB exchange areas on exclusive DELs, PBX
extension,, extension plans and HES. The answering set is not suitable for use on shared
service lines or in magnet areas.
The answering set is not designed for direct connection to a switchboard e.g. in place of
the operators' telephone. It may, exceptionally, be used with a PABX extension arranged
for direct night service (see TI C3 F1010 and C3 F1014).
INSTALLATION
The answering set must, generally, be associated with a telephone and cannot as supplied,
be used by itself. The telephone should be fitted adjacent to the answering set so the
time indicator is visible whilst a recording is being made. Diagram N 4190 shows how the
telephone and answering set are connected to the line.
When the answering set is to be associated with an extension plan installation or an HES,
an additional telephone must be fitted for the purpose of operating the set.
(a) Mains power Supply
The answering set requires a 200-25OV 50 Hz mains supply. A 3 pin socket outlet should be
provided by the subscriber within 10 ft of the position of the set. The PO will provide
the appropriate mains plug.
(b) Connecting the answering set
(i) Remove the case and base (see Constructional Features for appropriate
machines). The voltage adjustment panel is reached by removing the Danger label; the
connections on this panel are soldered.
(ii) Fit the appropriate mains plug.
(iii) Connection to DEL or PBX extension Terminate the 6 way answering set cord on a Block
Terminal No. 35A. Change the telephone line cord to a Cord Instrument No. 6/61 AT.....
3000 mm and connect as shown in N4190.
(iv) Connection to extension plan or HES Change the answering set cord to a Cord
Instrument No. 9/21 AD GREY 3000 mm and connect as shown in N4190.
PRECAUTIONS DURING INSTALLATION
The mains plug must be
withdrawn before any work is done on the machine. Permanent magnets or magnetised tools
must not be brought near the record/replay head of the machine. The output of the set will
be affected if the head becomes magnetised.
Care should be taken to ensure that the machine is not installed in the proximity of
strong a.c. fields and that the leads to the answering set are not routed near machinery
likely to generate interference fields.
After installation all the spindles and wheels in the tape drive system where friction
drive is used should be wiped with a clean dry cloth to remove dust and grease which could
cause slipping.
Before the cover is finally replaced ensure that the pointer moves freely over the whole
length of the time indicator scale.
OPERATING THE SET
A copy of the operating instructions should be handed to the subscriber at the time of
installation but it is desirable that the fitter should ensure that the subscriber is
familiar with the facilities provided and the method of using the set.
The following notes summarise the operating instructions.
(a) Recording
Switch the control knob to Record. Lift the handset, press the Start button firmly and
then release it. As soon as the indicator pointer appears, speak normally into the
mouthpiece and continue until the pointer disappears. It is desirable to avoid gaps during
or at the end of the message.
(b) Checking
When the motor indicator stops turning switch to Check, press the Start button, and listen
to the message on the handset. The message will only be played once.
(An incoming ring during either of the above operations will ring the telephone bell and
the call can be answered by turning the switch to Off and using the telephone normally.)
(c) Answering
Switch to On and ensure the mains supply is connected. An incoming call will ring the
telephone bell for 5-10 seconds before the set answers automatically. During this period
the call can be intercepted by the telephone by turning the switch to Off and using the
telephone in the normal way. If a call has been intercepted in this manner the set must be
restored to its starting condition by switching it to Check and pressing the Start button.
If it is required to use the telephone normally switch the control knob to Off.
When the answering set is associated with an extension plan or HES the operation differs
as follows:-
The telephone associated with the answering set may be used for intercepting calls to the
answering set only when the switch is in the On position. In all other switch positions
the exchange line is not connected to the associated telephone but to the extension plan
or HES. When the switch is in the On position the extension plan is disconnected.
ANSWERING SET No. 1A/1
The Answering Set No. 1A/1 is manufactured by Sontronic Ltd and with the exception of the
connections differs completely from other versions of the answering set. The machine is
fully transistorised and the ringing delay and tape control are achieved by electronic
circuitry and photo- conductor and lamp.
Details of the constructional features peculiar to this machine are given in the following
paragraphs.
(a) Removal of case
(i) Remove knob of 4-position switch using Wrench, Hexagonal, No. 1 to
release the socket-head grub screw. A wrench can be found set into the base and held by
one of the 4 large screws.
(ii) Remove the screws at each corner of the Perspex panel. This panel and the main case
may now be removed.
(iii) remove the base which is secured by 4 large screws; the 15-way terminal strip for
connecting the set is then exposed.
(b) Chassis assembly
Removal of the front plate and case will reveal the top face of the chassis. Mounted on
the top face of the chassis are the tape tray, tape drive system, mains-on lamp, control
switch, start button, line transformer and recording time indicator. On the underside of
the chassis are mounted the mains connection blocks and fuse, mains transformer, tape
drive motor, and the wafer assembly of the control switch. The chassis is mounted on 2 end
brackets to which the moulded base is secured.
(c) The printed wiring board
This is secured to the vertical members of the 2 end brackets by 4 fixing nuts. The
printed wiring side of the board is insulated by a sheet of impregnated paper covering the
whole of the rear face. All circuit components are mounted on the inside face of the
board, including relay A which is a PO type 25 relay mounted on a stand-off bracket and
wired into the printed circuit. The ringing detector, consisting of lamp and
photo-conductor, is mounted under a cylindrical cover retained by a helical spring. To
obtain access to the ringing detector it is necessary to release the retaining spring and
withdraw the cover. Adjustment of the ringing delay period is provided by potentiometer
VR1 located close to the ringing detector. The terminal. strip for cord termination and
strapping is mounted on the printed wiring board.
(d) Tape drive and control
All moving parts associated with the tape driving mechanism and the multiple-wager
4-position control switch, are fitted to the sloping member of the chassis, either on top
or beneath it. Tape control is achieved by a photo-conductor lamp and a small hole in the
tape. The photo conductor is mounted in a masking assembly on the tape tray wall through
which a hole is drilled to allow light from the lamp to impinge on it. The lamp is mounted
in a plastic holder and protrudes through the base of the tape tray opposite the
photoconductor. The plastic holder slides on a lug secured to the underside of the tape
tray so that the lamp position can be adjusted with respect to the tape hole and
photo-conductor. A grub screw is provided in the plastic lamp holder to ensure that lamp
position adjustment is maintained. The spindle of the tape-drive motor extends through the
chassis. The motor is supplied with 48V a.c. from the mains transformer whatever the
supply voltage. The spring loaded idler-wheel transmits the drive to the rim of the
flywheel. The extended spindle of the flywheel imparts driving force to the tape which is
pressed against it by the rubber pinch-wheel. The pinch-wheel is mounted at one end of the
pivoted lever; pressure between the pinch-wheel and the driving spindle is maintained by a
spring which exerts a pull of 3 lb. on the lever. The top of the rubber pinch-wheel has a
moulded pattern which is visible through the window in the case.
When the flywheel is being driven by the motor, the tape is given a linear velocity of
approximately 181 in/sec. The tape is pulled out of the storage tray at the upper
left-hand corner and passes the erasing head and the record/replay head before reaching
the pinch assembly. After passing through the pinch assembly the tape is wiped by an
earthed strip to remove electrostatic charges which might cause the convolutions of tape
to stick to each other in the storage tray. Under the influence of its forward movement,
the tape packs itself into the tray; the lid of the tray, which also carries the scale of
the time indicator, must not be removed while the tape is in motion or the tape will spill
out and may break or kink.
While the tape is in motion, pressure pads keep it in intimate contact with the erase and
record/replay heads, but when the control switch is in the Off position a cam on the
switch shaft causes the lever to lift the pinch-wheel and the pressure pads away from the
tape.
The flywheel is fitted with a concentric plastic disk in which is cut a spiral groove from
the centre to the edge. A nylon stylus tracks across the disk during the recording and
checking of a message. The stylus is attached to a cranked and pivoted arm having, at its
free end, a pointer which traverses the scale in the centre of the control panel.
Operation of the Start button lifts the stylus from the rim of the disk and allows it to
fall under gravity to the start of the spiral; at the same time the pointer moves to the
Begin Recording position on the scale.
(e) The recording tape
The tape loop is made up from standard 0.25 in wide recording tape 38.5 in long with the
ends joined.
A small hole is punched in the tape, off-centre, near the joint, so that it' passes
between the photo-conductor and lamp.
The tape should not be handled otherwise the performance of the set will be impaired, but
if for any reason it becomes necessary to replace the tape in the storage tray the
following procedure is recommended.
Turn control switch to Off.
Remove lid of tape tray.
Feed the tape past the erase and record/replay heads and through the pinch assembly. The
matt side of the tape should be against the heads and the small hole should just have
emerged from the pinch-wheel assembly.
Pass both parts of the tape through the slot in the lower right-hand corner of the tape
box. The tape must be free of twists and kinks and it is better to have it hanging free,
e.g. over the edge of a table. The tape may be pulled very gently to straighten it.
Replace lid of tape tray.
Turn switch to Check and press Start button. After the tape has been drawn into the tray,
the tape drive will be disconnected. A new recording must be made after replacing the tape
even if the tape has not been renewed.
(f) Spring adjustments
Screw adjustment is provided for the tensioning springs of the pinch wheel, idler wheel
and pressure pads.
ANSWERING SET No. 1A/2
The Answering Set No. 1A/2 is manufactured by Ansafone Ltd and with the exception of the
connection differs completely from other versions of the answering set. The machine is
fully transistorised and the ringing delay and tape control are achieved by electronic
circuitry and photo-cell and lamp. Details of the constructional features peculiar to this
machine are given in the following paragraphs.
(a) Chassis Assembly
The case can be removed by the same procedure as for the Answering Set No. 1A/1 except a
screw driver is used to loosen the switch knob instead of an Allen key. Removal of the
front plate and case will reveal the top face of the chassis. The tape runs round a series
of pulleys, one of which is fixed in a slot to provide an adjustment. The tape is
tensioned by a spring on the right-hand side of the chassis. The tape drive system,
machine on lamp, machine-in-use lamp, start button, the set-level control and the
recording time indicator are mounted on the top of the chassis. To gain access below the
chassis 4 screws in the corners of the chassis should be removed. The chassis may then be
hooked under the front corners of side brackets which will retain the chassis
horizontally. The 2 end brackets are mounted on the base, the left-hand bracket has the
control switch and relays fitted to it, and the right-hand bracket has, the mains
transformer and fuse mounting fitted to it.
(b) Printed wiring board
The printed wiring board is retained at the base between 2 rubber bushes and the side
brackets, and at the top by the lip on the chassis. A plastic sleeve is fitted on the top
edge of the board to prevent damage when the chassis is replaced.
(c) Tape drive and control
The tape-drive motor, which is driven from a 40V tapping of the mains transformer, is
connected to the flywheel by a rubber drive belt. The extended spindle of the flywheel
forms the capstan spindle which imparts the driving force to the tape when it is pressed
against it by the pinch wheel. The spindle of the pinch wheel drives the indicator wheel
which in drives the tape indicator. Tape control is achieved by a photo-conductor, lamp
and a small- window in the tape. The photo-conductor is mounted in a masking assembly
under the tape lid cover which has a hole drilled in it to allow light from the lamp to
impinge on it. The lamp is mounted in a metal holder which is fitted in a rubber grommet
in the chassis.
(d) Spring adjustments
The pressure adjustment of the pinch wheel can be adjusted by loosening the screw at the
back of the pinch solenoid and sliding the pinch solenoid backwards or forwards as
required. Care should be taken to ensure that the solenoid and the spring attaching it to
the pinch wheel bracket are in a direct line.
(e) Recording tape
This is identical to that used on the Answering Set No. 1A/1 except a small window is
provided near the joint so that it passes between the photo conductor and the lamp.
Introduced in 1958
Last revised: January 06, 2007
FM