UK EXCHANGE TYPES

This section gives an overview of the types of telephone exchange systems that could be found in the UK before 1980.

What must be noted is that a new type of exchange did not just make the older exchanges redundant.  When exchanges required replacing or extending beyond their design capacity, the newer models were then used.  New and old exchanges were designed or modified to work with each other.

UK Basic Exchanges and Signalling Types

AUTOMATIC - Strowger Step-by-step
CENTRAL BATTERY
CENTRAL BATTERY SIGNALLING  No's 1, 2 and 3
MAGNETO
PERMANENT CURRENT SYSTEM - From 1880 onwards

 

Other Types including non-UK types

CROSSBAR SYSTEMS - Worldwide - but this document is mainly UK specific
LORIMER SYSTEM - Only one installed in the UK
PANEL SYSTEM - Western Electric system used in the USA, Europe and PABX's
RELAY AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE Co. - PABX and Public exchanges