The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-07-17
CHANGE ~ TELEPHONE 0PER-
ALTON FRIDAY. JILf ~, 1918

lines from one central Office or switch
hoard 10 another, bu, there is nothing
in the nature of cutting" In connec-
ton with this performance, On the
contrary. 1t is peaceful and hloodess
An almost pcrfgnctory performance
In its lack Of appeal TO the eye.
II is this lack Of appeal to the eye,
however, that ID the real test OF O.
good Job. II caps the climax Of many
months work. and though the tele-
phone using public may not feel great
Iy concerned over this "cut-over,' the
telephone man who has had any hand
in i, Ia anxiousIy awaiting the yer-
dict. II there is no appeal to the eye,
no kicking from subscribers, no sensa-
sional outbreak OF any kind, the job
has been well done.
The "cut-over." then, although IL
consumes but few moments Of time,
and Ia only a small part OF a eompli-
Gated proceeding, is the supreme test
by which the efficiency Of months Of
labor is to be judged.
There are two kinds Of switchboards
in common use.--the magnetic, thus
named because the current necessary
in calling the central Office is general
ed by a magnetic connected with each
subscribers instrument; and the COM
mon battery or relay system, where
the current is furnished at the power
plant Of the company.
When the company decides to
change from what is known as mag
net TO common battery system 1t
must preface the actual "cut-over' by
q complete readjustment Of its plant.
Every foot Of the many miles Of open
wires connecting its subscribers with
the exchange is carefully inspected,
repaired and put in the best possible
condition TO avoid induction troubles.
Then slight temporary changes are
made in the apparatus at each sub
scriber's station to conform to the new
system. After the "cutting lover" this
temporary equipment is. changed to
the standard equipment.
In the course of time these pre-
liminaries, too technical for detailed
description. are completed. Mean
while, new central Office building, or
operating room, has been equipped
with the latest telephone appliances,
including a new switchboard, with its
hundreds of inter-connected lines.
For several days before the "cut-
ting the new building, or oper-
ating room, is ready for the actual
change, both new and existing ex-
changes having switchboards. The
original cables are extended to the
new office, but the connection between
subscribers are still completed in the
old Office. The effect of this is to have
two fully equipped switchboards con-
nected to the same lines, or cables, one
ready TO supersede the other. The old
switchboard is used up to the very
second of cutting over" In less than
one minute after the "cut-over" the
new switchboard may be used TO the
full capacity Of service.
In order to keep the lines running
into the new exchange entirely free
from connection or interference with
the lines running to the old exchange
little pieces Of wood called Opening
plugs about the size Of lead pen
ell and an inch and half long, are
inserted in the little holes, or Jacks
in which subscribers lines terminate.
This Is done in order to keep all the
circuits open and preent subscribers
calls from showing on the switch
board.
The actual work Of cutting over" is
simple. In the old exchange one squad
Of workmen literally rips the wires
from the switchboard, while in the new
exchange another squad is busiiy en-
gagged in pulling out the wooden plugs,
thus closing the circuits and putting
the new system into instant operation.
II is all over in a minute,
The lines are then tested with great
care. II there are any troubles. II us
ually is possible to remedy them at
once. If there are none, the subscrib-
er simply lifts his recciver from the
hook and gets the operator without
turning the crank and ringing bell.
As early as possible after ] o'clock
Friday afternoon. July 18th, the tel
ephcne service in Manchester will De
"cut-cyer" to the new central Office
building erected by the New England
Telephone and Telegraph Company at
the Center.
A welcome innovation will be the
method Of calling the operator, after
the new Office is ''cut-over" all that
will he necessary TO get the operator
will be for the subscriber to remove
sha reectvpr fnou1 the hook When