The ringer box is an external phone ringer housed in a bell box or subscriber set, and was used with most early desk stand type phones including the candlestick telephones, and the Western Electric model 102 and 202 telephones, which were too small to hold a ringer or other needed electrical parts inside. A subscriber set (or "subset") also includes an induction coil, capacitor, and magneto generator (if required). The ringer box alerts the call recipient to any incoming calls by electrically ringing one or more metallic bells creating a ringtone.
In 1937, the Western Electric Model 302 telephone was the first widely-used Bell System phone to include the phone ringer and subscriber set inside in the same housing as the telephone set. With phone technology improvements, a ringer box was no longer needed.
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The ringer box would consist of bells, and an electromagnetically-driven clapper. The AC electrical ringing signal powered the electromagnet which would rapidly move and release the clapper, striking the bells, and producing a distinctive ringing sound.
Almost all telephones manufactured since the Model 302 telephone was introduced, have an internal phone ringer.
The original main producers of ringer boxes were Western Electric, Kellogg and several minor regional manufacturers. [1] The case of the ringer box was made with wood, metal, and/or plastic.
Refurbished ringer boxes are sold online for antique candlestick, cradle, and pay phones. [2]