sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems 1A2 and Comkey Telephones & Systems Western Electric VS Precision Components

I finally got my 4a or rather 4B Speakerphone (Precision Components) version wired up to a modular "Single line" connection. Thanks to some input from this board, and it works great! My question though is one of curiosity. Is there much difference in quality of the Precision Components version and Western Electric version? I mean, the units look almost identical except the bell logo and the chords on the Precision units are slightly bigger.

The leads are arranged a bit differently and use different colors, but I can't help wondering how they match up quality wise. I didn't know until recently the Precision components made Copies of Western Electric Models. Are these copies, (cheaper, or the same) or are they OEM's? Does anyone know?

I'm very happy with the precision, but if the Western Electric version is better quality, I may try to upgrade if I can!!

Also.. in the manual accompanying the Precision components PC-4B Speakerphone, it says it's designed to replace the PC-3B (Western Electric 3A) Speakerphone and the "PC-4A". Does this mean there was an intial version of the PC-4B?.

I always felt that they were identical - quality wise. I'm sure if there are other opinions you'll hear them.

I don't believe there was an earlier version of the PC-4B. WECO's version was the 4A.

Sam

Thanks for the answer sam.

I asked because people will swear by the Western Electric phones. This thing seems VERY solid in it's construction. an other than the internal leads being a little different, it appears to be identical to the 4a in form and function.

This 4a (4b) is a thing of beauty. the way it's wired and interconnected. It's a scientific wonder when you think about all that's going on inside the thing. The new digital peakerphones don't have to go through all the internal switches etc.

It's actually fairly easy to make the thing modular. I just purchased a standard cube phone jack. And attached the appropriated T1,R2 connections etc. from the M16 cord. The only trick is to cross the LK connection which looks to see if the handset is Off/On the Hook with the lead that connects with the A1 (R2) lead and the whole system will work.

I then plugged in a modular cord to the jack and the other to my wall jack and viola! The 4a is now modular! One of these days if I get the appropriate desk set, I can change the hook up. I'm now going to set it up to hook into my cellphone jack. Pretty cool.