By Walt Aydelotte, ; posted March 30, 2010; hits 1561
I am in need of a few New England Telephone & Telegraph "Lightning Ball Aresters". They were used by NE Tel. & Tel, and other Operating telephone companies, to provide automatic closure of the ringer circuit (due to large Surges in current such as caused by lightining strikes etc.) by providing a small wax ball between the ringer contacts. Upon such a lightning hit, the current would quickly melt the small wax ball, which facilitated the quick shorting out of the ringer contacts. To clear the trouble, after the source was gone or eliminated, all a Repair Person had to do was insert a new wax ball between the ringer contacts. I am in need of the 3 Contact Springs and associated wax balls. In fact, myself and some other collectors on these Lists could use about a dozen of these wax balls. If the balls are not available in house, so to speak, an idea of where to buy them would be appreciated. Walt Aydelotte, aydelotte01@comcast.net |