GEC
PABX 3+10

STANDARD FEATURES
Maximum capacity
3 public-exchange lines.
10 extension lines.
Connect circuits
Provision for 2 simultaneous inter-extension calls in addition to a maximum of 3 public-exchange calls.

Numbering scheme
00 to 09 for extensions; single digit other than 0 for tie lines.

Public exchange service
Outgoing:
direct access from extensions after operating a pushbutton switch on the telephone.  Individual extensions can be prevented from dialling public-exchange calls.

Incoming:
No operator's switchboard is required; a call is answered at one of up to 4 designated extensions and routed to the required extension by the enquiry and transfer method.  The call can be offered to an extension already engaged.

Enquiry and transfer
Telephones with a pushbutton can be supplied* to all or selected extensions to enable a public exchange call to be held while the user calls another extension with an enquiry.  When the enquiry is complete, the original extension returns to the public-exchange call, or can transfer it to another extension.

Executive's priority
Selected executives can break into an existing conversation by dialling an extra digit '1'.

Mains fail protection
Public-exchange lines can be connected automatically to designated extensions in the event of an AC mains supply failure.

OPTIONAL FEATURES
Tie lines*
1 or 2 on one route only.

Conference*
Designated extensions can be connected together via a special circuit.

Staff location*
Staff absent from their offices may be called by dialling a special locating number and a personal code, to operate lamps or bells.

Secretary service*
A secretarial switching telephone enables secretaries to filter calls to an executive.

Route restriction*
Individual extensions may be permitted to dial local but not long-distance calls.

GENERAL
Mode of operation
Fully automatic operation using uniselectors and relays.  All conversations secret from each other.

Tones and ringing
Mains-supply derived dial tone, ringing tone, ringing current and executive intrusion tone; electronically derived busy, number-unobtainable and link throw off tones.  When the exchange operates from a battery power supply, all tones and ringing current are provided by an all-electronic tone generator.

Signalling
Required dial-pulse characteristics: 7 to 14 i.p.s., 2:1 break to make ratio.

Alarm
Audible indication of blown fuse.

Power unit*
Built-in AC power unit: Input, 100 to 120V or 200 to 250V 50 to 60 Hz single phase.
or
External Battery: 50V 32 AH ; with float charger, input as for AC power unit, output 50V d.c 3 A.

Line loop resistance
Not to exceed 1000 ohms.

Construction*
Wired-in units on a steel framework in a floor-mounting steel cabinet (painted dark green) with lift-off dust-proof panels front and rear.

Dimensions and weight

*To be specified when ordering

1975

GEC-AEI TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
A Management Company of The General Electric Company Limited of England

3 + 10 LINE PRIVATE AUTOMATIC BRANCH EXCHANGE

The G.E.C. 3 + 10 line private automatic branch exchange has a capacity for three lines to a public exchange and ten extensions.  It has no switchboard or attendant.  One extension calls another by dialling two digits.  An extension obtains direct access to the public exchange (either automatic or C.B. manual) by depressing a pushbutton on the telephone instrument.  This direct access is given to selected extensions and withheld - if desired from others.

An incoming call from the public exchange is answered by any of four pre-determined extensions, who may then transfer the call to the wanted party.  Up to two extension-to-extension conversations can be held simultaneously.  When an extension makes a call to the public exchange, the connecting link in the PABX is not used.  Thus, calls can be made to the public exchange even when both links are in use.

The PABX is mounted in a sheet-steel dust-proof cabinet having lift-off doors front and rear to give access to the equipment.  The size of the cabinet is 4' 11" x 2' 5" x 1' 4" (150.7 x 75 x 39.4 cms).  When required, the equipment can be supplied as a free-standing open rack without the cabinet.  The dimensions are then 4' 6" x 2' 5" x 1' 6" (137.4 x 74.3 x 45.7 cms).  The exchange employs the same apparatus as has been standardised for large public exchanges by many Overseas Governments and the British Post Office.

Front View	Rear View (Less cabinet)

STANDARD FEATURES

FULL INTERCOMMUNICATION
Any extension user is connected to any other extension by dialling the appropriate number.  The extensions are numbered from 00 to 09.

OUTGOING CALLS
Direct access to the public exchange is obtained by depressing the pushbutton on the telephone instrument.  If the public exchange is automatic, the caller then dials the number of the required subscriber; if the exchange is manual, the call is completed by the public-exchange operator.  Certain extensions may be barred from this facility, if desired, by a simple adjustment to the strapping in the automatic unit.
Equipment can be supplied to prevent certain extensions having direct access to the public exchange dialling their own trunk calls, (see Additional Features).

INCOMING CALLS
A call from the public exchange is taken by any one of four Answering Extensions, who are pre-determined and can transfer the call to any extension by depressing a pushbutton on their telephone and dialling the wanted number.  If required an extension can be prevented from receiving an exchange call by a simple adjustment to the strapping.  Should an Answering Extension attempt to transfer an exchange call to an extension that is barred these calls, the Answering Extension itself will be re-rung.  An incoming call is signalled on separate bells, which are located at points convenient to the Answering Extensions.  These bells are additional to those incorporated in the telephone instruments.  If both link circuits are engaged when an Answering Extension attempts to transfer a call he can interrupt one of the conversations by holding the pushbutton depressed for an extended period.  This causes a warning tone to be sent to the two conversing extensions who should then restore their handset.  If they do not, the link is force released after a short interval to allow the main exchange call to be connected.  Should busy tone be received after the wanted number has been dialled, then the Answering Extension dials 1 to interrupt the established call.

CALL-BACK AND AUTOMATIC TRANSFER
An extension engaged on a call over an exchange line may hold the call (by depressing the pushbutton on his telephone), whilst he calls any other extension.  At the end of conversation with the second extension, he resumes his conversation on the exchange line by depressing the pushbutton again.  Alternatively, if he wishes, he may transfer the exchange line to the other extension merely by replacing his own handset, provided the second extension is allowed to receive transferred calls.  A call may be re-transferred as often as required between extensions.

EXECUTIVE RIGHT-OF-WAY (PRIORITY)
An Executive may break in should the extension he requires be already engaged.  When he hears busy tone, he dials a further digit '1' to interrupt the established call.

Two methods of operation are possible, private and non-private, the required one being selected by a simple adjustment to the strapping in the automatic unit.

When the `private' operation is used, an intrusion tone is heard by both parties, but the executive who wishes to contact one of them cannot hear the conversation in progress.  Upon hearing the intrusion tone both parties should replace their handsets, whereupon the required extension will be rung without any further operation by the executive.

When the `non-private' operation is used, an intrusion tone is heard by both parties and the executive can immediately enter the conversation.  He can, in fact, carry out the whole of his required conversation without the original call being cleared.  However, if the executive expects to carry on a long conversation it is advisable that the original call is cleared; the wanted extension will then be called automatically as described above.

NIGHT SERVICE
Night service is provided by arranging for one or more of the Answering Extensions to answer incoming calls at night.

MAINS SUPPLY FAILURE
Should the mains supply be interrupted, operation of the PABX ceases when it is operated from a mains supply unit, but the result is not isolation from the public system because the three exchange lines become automatically connected to any three extensions, from which calls on the public system may be made or received.

RINGING AND TONES
When the exchange power supply is obtained from the mains rectifier unit, dial and ringing tones, together with ringing current, are derived from the mains unit and busy tone from a vibrator relay.

ALARMS
Should a fuse in the exchange unit blow, an audible alarm signal is given.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

The standard PABX is wired to allow several additional features to be provided either at the time of installation or at a later date.  The apparatus required to provide these additional features is mounted external to the main automatic unit.  The additional features include:-

TIE LINES
Up to two tie lines can be provided between the PABX and another private telephone exchange, either in an adjacent building or in a building several miles away, to permit intercommunication between extensions in both buildings.

Please state the type of private exchange into which the tie lines must work and the line-loop resistance of the tie lines themselves.  Should an existing exchange be of other than G.E.C. manufacture, its circuit drawings should be provided with an enquiry.

STAFF LOCATION
Officials absent from their offices can be called by a system of lamps or bells.  A special `locating' number is dialled, from any telephone followed by the digits in a personal code.  Please state whether a visible or audible call is required, how many codes are needed, and the number of calling stations likely to be used.

CONFERENCE LINES
These enable conferences to take place by telephone while the participants remain at their desks.  The conference is opened by each participant being individually called by the convener; each then dials a special digit to gain access to the conference circuit.  Immediately the connexion is established, the link circuit is released.  No extra line wires or pushbuttons are required.  The executive right-of-way facility cannot be used to gain connexion to an extension engaged on a conference call.  In these circumstances the executive hears a special tone to indicate that the extension is in conference.  Please state the number of participants required.

ROUTE RESTRICTION
If necessary, additional equipment can be supplied to prevent those extensions having direct access to the public exchange from dialling their own trunk calls.  Please give details of those digits and combinations of digits that are to be barred.

SECRETARY'S SERVICE
A secretary may be provided with a G.E.C. Switching Telephone so that all calls to an executive may be filtered.  The executive would have a G.E.C. Extension Telephone.  Calls between the executive and secretary are not routed through the PABX. This service is fully described in Catalogue Leaflet STLI7.

OTHER PUBLIC EXCHANGES
When the public exchange is other than an automatic or C.B. Manual type, e.g. magneto or C.B.S., a n auxiliary unit is required to effect the necessary signalling.  Please state the type of public exchange.

BATTERY POWER SUPPLY
Should the mains supply be unreliable, a storage battery and float charger can be supplied to ensure continuity of  service.  This replaces the built-in power unit.  In addition, a ringing vibrator must be fitted to supply the ringing current and tones etc.

Similarly, should the mains supply be DC the exchange must be operated from batteries with a rheostat to step the mains voltage down to the value required to charge the batteries.  With this arrangement a charge-discharge system must be used so that the battery connected to the mains is isolated from the exchange.

EQUIPMENT

TELEPHONE INSTRUMENTS
Any automatic telephone having a dial speed of between 7 and 14 pulses per second, with a ratio of 2 to 1 break to make, is suitable for use with this exchange.  Recommended telephones are the `G.E.C. 1000' Telephone, the Muraphone `K' and the New Gecophone described in G.E.C. leaflets STL13 and STL16.

A telephone fitted with a pushbutton is supplied for each of the Answering Extensions and for any other extension requiring the call-back and automatic transfer facility.  When ordering, please state the number of telephones required with pushbutton fitted.

G.E.C. Loudspeaking Telephones, which enable the user complete freedom of movement about the office whilst making a call, are fully described in Catalogue Leaflet No. STL15.

LINE WIRES
Any insulated twin conductor, suitably protected if exposed to risk of damp or mechanical damage, may be used to connect the telephone to the exchange, provided the line-loop resistance does not exceed 1000 ohms.

DISTRIBUTION AND PROTECTION
The simplest method of connecting the extension instrument to the PABX unit is to use separate line wires for each telephone.  A saving in line wires and space, with a gain in neatness, may often be effected by running a multi-core cable from the PABX unit to a distribution box so situated that only short lengths of line wires are required to connect each telephone instrument to the distribution box.

The exchange equipment must be protected against high voltages and heavy currents, which may accidentally be introduced into external lines from extraneous sources.  Both the lines to the public exchange and all external extension lines must be connected to protection apparatus before being extended to the exchange unit.  For this purpose the G.E.C. protector, Cat. No. PR1111, containing fuses and electrodes is recommended.  Protectors for the exchange lines are often supplied by the public telephone exchange Administration.
On receipt of a dimensional sketch of the premises, with indication of the location of each telephone, the most economical distribution scheme will be planned and quotations for material submitted.

G.E.C. 3+10 LINE P.A.B.X.

POWER SUPPLY
For normal use a power unit is built into the exchange.  This operates from a 100/120 or 200/250-volt 50/60 c/s single-phase mains supply.  Where a battery and float charger are required the following are recommended:-

Automatic Float Battery Charger for operation from a 100/120 or 200/250 volt 50/60 c/s single-phase mains supply having an output of 48/52 volts, 0-3 amp DC, and suitable for  charging a 24-cell lead acid battery.
Dimensions: 21 x l5 x 9.5ins; 53 x 39 x 24cms
Weight: 761b; 34.6kgs
Catalogue Number: SU 4202

24-Cell Lead-Acid Storage Battery less stand, acid and accessories, capacity 20 ampere hours at 10-hour rate of discharge.
Catalogue Number: BA 1103

Taken from the GEC Catalogue Leaflet No. PXL 08

Introduced circa 1963

See also GPO PABX 5

GEC Telecommunications Journal article

ADDITIONAL PICTURES
Taken 1961

Without cabinet - Drawing 701721 - Front view	Without cabinet - Drawing 701721 - Rear view
With cabinet - doors removed	With Cabinet - doors and some covers removed
Retouched picture

Last revised: November 30, 2021