Relay Automatic Telephone Company (R.A.T.)
Telephones

The Relay Automatic Telephone Co. sold telephones along with their PAX or PABX systems.

It is not known if the RAT Co. made these telephones completely themselves or produced them from components brought from other telephone manufacturers.  What is known is that the Sterling Telephone and Electric Co. supplied them with many telephones.

The two diagrams below show simple telephones with no induction coils and the transmitter and receiver in series, which means the telephone has an electromagnetic receiver.  These would have only been used on internal systems as transmission quality would not be up to the GPO standard.  The telephone wiring diagrams also show an R lead (that was connected to earth) that was used on PAX systems with a DC buzzer or bell fitted close to the telephone.

The larger PAX and all the PABX systems were fitted with a ringing machine so a telephone with an AC ringer would be fitted.

Siemens brothers also made compatible telephones, their 93 (table) and 101 (wall).

Pictures

The diagram shows an external bell installed and an R lead
It also says this is fitted on a Model 10 system which was a PAX

An advert

Table telephone that can be fitted to PAX or PABX

This diagram shows a phone that can be used on a PAX or PABX
An external Bellset is fitted if connected to a PABX and an external DC bell if on a PAX

Paster from a RAT compatible Candlestick
This shows the R lead and also the externally connected bell
The switch hook is also of the changeover type
The diagram S2305 means the phone may be manufactured by TMC

Unknown Candlestick to the left, Siemens Brothers No. 93 in front and a Siemens Brothers No. 101 to the right
All compatible with the RAT systems

Last revised: December 06, 2024