HOUSE INDICATOR SYSTEMS

House Indicator Systems were used in GPO Post Offices. They would have been used summon a clerk or courier to individual offices around a building. This is the same type of system used in some mansions or large residencies to call a butler or maid.

Indicator systems could easily be converted to house telephone systems by the addition of parlour telephones at the call points, but the GPO tended not to do this.

The pictures are dated 1907 and the parts can be found in the 1928 Rate Book.

Equipment
An 'Indicator, House Bell' would be installed in a central position, were it could be seen and actioned upon. There were five models to choose from: 3 point, 6 point, 10 point, 16 point and 20 point (the points refer to the number of indictors per unit). Each indicator had a resistance of 5ohms.

The system was powered by two Cells, Leclanché DR2 or WK2, which would be probably wall mounted and close the indicator box.

A bell was also fitted and these would be the Bell No. 43A, Bell No. 44A or Bell No. 45A. Useful for when the office, with the indicator panel, was left un-attended.

In each office a 'Press Button G' would be fitted and wired back to the indicator box. A 'Press Button, House, Pear-shaped' could be fitted and this was connected to a flexible cord.

Indicators available were:-
Indicator, House Bell, 3 Point.
Indicator, House Bell, 6 Point.
Indicator, House Bell, 10 Point.
Indicator, House Bell, 16 Point.
Indicator, House Bell, 20 Point.

Operation
The office push button would be operated and the corresponding indicator flap would drop. The bell would also sound, but only whilst the office press button was operated.

The attendant would pull the cord on the indicator box and this would restore the indicator to it's normal position.

Diagram - EC789.

As telephones became generally accepted, manufacturers introduced parlour telephones, which could either be used in a point to point manner, or could replace the simple call buttons on house call systems, thus allowing two way conversation to the central position, whilst retaining the Indicator panel.

Click here for examples of early house systems.

Pictures
All indicator pictures are dated 1907