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[burakkucat]

A grey square box, complete with a mains supply lead and an appropriately sized hole in the side to allow access of my own wires.

As described by the label on the rear of the box, a Ringing Generator 2A.

[Black Sheep]

A while since I've seen one of those !!

They were mainly used on 'Business systems*' to increase the REN on extension wiring up to a maximum of 6 bells.
I only ever came across one once in a residential dwelling, albeit a mansion of a house.

* Business systems

Norstar
Marquis
Monarch
Senator
Herald
Kinsman
Meridian
Pentar
Herald
Viceroy
Regent

[4candles]

Interesting acquisition. The 'globe' logo would indicate it being no earlier than 2003.

[burakkucat]

The 'globe' logo would indicate it being no earlier than 2003.

I hadn't really taken that in. Well spotted, thank you.

Apart from recognising that the "capital T in a circle" would date from no earlier than 1980, I have no idea when the "piper" was first used nor when it, in turn, was replaced by the "colourful globe". Wikipedia (remembering that it a best effort and not a definitive source) states 1980 - 1991, 1991 - 2003 and 2003 onwards, respectively.

Attached, for those kitizens who would like to know, are three images from the Ringing Generator 2A booklet (which can also be downloaded from this link).

[sevenlayermuddle]

Another clue to vintage, consistent with 4Candles observation, would be the crossed out wheelie bin label.   Indicative of compliance with the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive  (WEEE), used since circa 2002/2003, in order to Save The Planet.

[sevenlayermuddle]

PS:   re WEEE

If I understand Wikipedia right, and wikipedia is right,  that particular WEEE symbol with black line underneath is even more specific... post 2005.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_Electrical_and_Electronic_Equipment_Directive

[4candles]

Ah, good spot 7LM.

Apart from recognising that the "capital T in a circle" would date from no earlier than 1980, I have no idea when the "piper" was first used nor when it, in turn, was replaced by the "colourful globe". Wikipedia (remembering that it a best effort and not a definitive source) states 1980 - 1991, 1991 - 2003 and 2003 onwards, respectively.

This site agrees with those dates. I remember well that those of us at the sharp end thought the piper logo was somewhat embarrassing, and were shocked to discover how much BT had paid for it.

At the same time, an enormous amount of money went on respraying the yellow vehicles light grey. This had the advantage that one's van wasn't surrounded by insects in the summer, but you couldn't be seen in fog or heavy rain.

[Black Sheep]

I remember the 'Piper' re-branding well. We all voiced our concerns about the 'un-noticeable' grey colour when working road-side, but they produced stats (CWU backed) that said it was actually more distinguishable than the previous BT Yellow.
If memory recalls, the trials had been carried out in the US of A ??

[sevenlayermuddle]

'Prancing pervert' , as I often heard it referred to, on account of apparent close fitting (if any) clothing.