Grey box inside house

[jonmohajer1]

Hello, I have recently bought a house and wondered if anyone could help me to identify this piece of kit, and whether it is serving any function. It is a grey box mounted on the wall above the only phone socket in the house. Thanks 

 

[Keith_Beddoe]

@jonmohajer1 

The fact that it says British Telecom on the front, must mean its very old and possibly no longer in use. It looks like an extension bell, so people can hear the phone ring.

Where does the cable below go to?

Have you looked inside the box to see what is there?

[NeilO · Accepted solution]

@jonmohajar that's a Bell 50E to make the ringer louder. 

[Keith_Beddoe]

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@NeilO wrote:

@jonmohajar that's a Bell 50E to make the ringer louder. 

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@NeilO  Spot on 😀

Data sheet https://docs.rs-online.com/7d3e/0900766b81190ea3.pdf

[jonmohajer1]

thanks so much for your help. I haven't opened the box yet, or properly checked how it connects, but I think it ran into the top of socket housing, from memory.

I'll have a look at removing it now I know it's redundant, just wanted to make sure it wasn't something to do with the internet connection, but as you say, the British Telecom branding pre-dates that I suspect...

[jonmohajer1]

thanks a lot for your expert help!