atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring odder count pick (more odd)

You never cease to amaze me Ed.

"This was also occurring at a time when pulp cable was being transitioned to PIC (Polyethylene Insulated Conductors). There really hadn't been a uniform color code standard set since this was even new technology to AT&T."

Ed, that's a very informative write-up. There was, however, a period from pre-WW2 to the late 50's, when there was another type of insulation, (and we are talking inside station/key system/PBX wire, here) that was in use between the eras of pulp and PIC.

The sheath was generally dark brown, (color suffix -9) although sometimes if it was to be installed on baseboards, it could be found in ivory (-4) gray (-5) or much later, light olive gray (-49).

The pair count ran from 6 to over 100 pairs. It was generically referred to as "switchboard" cable but was used for stations, key sets, key equipment, etc, as well as interconnecting everything from manual PBX's to CO equipment. The insulation was a woven thread, and could be a single color, two colors, or multiple color combinations. For instance, there might be a pair that was (T) white/blue and (R) white/blue with a red stripe

If you would refer to BSP's covering the 44X- and 46X-series of key telephone sets, you will be able to see the color code. The original mounting cords of those sets mimicked the cable color codes. Later, the mounting cords were updated to match the color codes of even-count station cables.

Well, don't stop NOW, guys. This is the kind of stuff that I for 1 find really interseting. The new stuff is boring. (Boy, am I going to regret saying THAT!) The only odd cable I got tangled up with was some 15(?) pair with all BR/VI (?) pairs, except for the 1 R/W pair, paper insulated, lead sheathed, no less. John C. (Not Garand)

OK. Do you know the story of Mr. Watson's wife, Claire Isabelle?

Or why two of the pairs in every 25-pair cable are named after two cousins, both Bell operators, who, during a flood, stood by their positions, and continued to handle calls, until they both drowned at their posts?

The first one...Clear as a bell
The second one...Violet Green and Violet Brown.

You smart fella.

Well the second one you had said before