1. telegraph repeater
An extension of the relay system, adopted for long lines. A repeating station comprises in general terms duplicate repeating apparatus. One set is connected for messages in one direction, the other for messages in the opposite direction. The general operation of a repeating set is as follows. The signals as received actuate a relay which by its local circuit actuates a key, which in ordinary practise would be the sounder, but in the repeater its lever opens and closes a circuit comprising a battery and a further section of the line.
Repeaters are placed at intervals along the line. Each repeater repeats the signals received for the next section of line with a new battery. It represents an operator who would receive and repeat the message, except that it works automatically.
The Indo-European line from London to Teheran, 3,800 miles long, is worked directly without any hand retransmission, it being carried out by five repeaters. This gives an average of over 500 miles for each repeater. [Transcriber's note: … 650 miles for each repeater.]
Repeaters introduce retardation, and each repeater involves a reduction in the rate of working. Yet in many cases they increase the speed of a line greatly, as its speed is about equal to that of its worst section, which may be far greater than that of the whole line in one.
Synonym--Translater.
|
Definitions of telegraph repeater
