The electric bell constitutes one of the most simple pieces of apparatus for signaling by electricity, and although more than half a century has elapsed since it was first introduced, no better method of signaling or giving a call has yet been invented for land lines. It is always used for attracting attention in telephonic communication and Very often also in telegraphy.

To Wire for and to Connect Electric Bells.

It is easy to understand that an electric bell equipment usually consists of one electric bell, one cell of battery, one push-button, and wire enough to connect the outfit for a reasonable distance.

The push-button is, of course, set at the place from which the signal is to be given, and, when connected, the pressing of the button should ring the bell. The bell should continue ringing as long as the button is pressed. The bell should be placed where the persons who are expected to answer it [when it rings] are likely to be, so it can be heard by them. The battery, the motive power, is placed at some convenient place, the closer the battery is placed to the pushbutton, the better for some work.

The wire is used to make the connection to the bell, battery, and push-button. The proper way to connect an electric bell outfit is to run one wire from the push-button to the battery, one wire from the push-button to the bell, and one wire from the bell to the battery. This gives two wire ends at each place, namely, bell battery, and push-button. The bell, battery, and push-button each have two places where the wires are connected. To all places to which wires are connected the insulation covering of the wires must be removed, and the wire made clean and bright. Then connect it with the connecting places of the push-button, bell, and battery. This way of connecting an electric bell outfit is called a metallic circuit.