Switchboard: meaning, definitions and examples
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switchboard
[ ˈswɪtʃˌbɔrd ]
telecommunications
A switchboard is a device used in telecommunications to connect calls by manually plugging wires into various jacks. This system allows operators to manage telephone calls and ensure that they are routed to the correct destination. Historically, it played a crucial role in the evolution of telephone technology before the advent of automated systems.
Synonyms
call switch, telecommunication panel, telephone exchange.
Examples of usage
- The switchboard operator connected my call to the appropriate department.
- Before digital technology, every office had a switchboard for handling incoming calls.
- He worked as a switchboard operator in a busy telephone exchange.
Translations
Translations of the word "switchboard" in other languages:
🇵🇹 central telefonica
🇮🇳 स्विचबोर्ड
🇩🇪 Schaltanlage
🇮🇩 papan saklar
🇺🇦 вимикач
🇵🇱 tablica rozdzielcza
🇯🇵 スイッチボード
🇫🇷 tableau de répartition
🇪🇸 tablero de distribución
🇹🇷 anahtar paneli
🇰🇷 스위치보드
🇸🇦 لوحة المفاتيح
🇨🇿 rozvodná skříň
🇸🇰 rozvodná skriňa
🇨🇳 配电盘
🇸🇮 razdelilna omara
🇮🇸 rofa
🇰🇿 өшіру панелі
🇬🇪 მოწყვეტილი ფირფიტა
🇦🇿 şalter paneli
🇲🇽 tablero de distribución
Etymology
The term 'switchboard' originates from the combination of 'switch' and 'board,' indicating a panel where various switches are located. The concept began to emerge in the late 19th century, when telephone systems required manual operation to connect calls. Early switchboards featured a series of jacks, wires, and plugs operated by a human 'switchboard operator.' As telephone networks grew, these devices became more complex and sophisticated, allowing for better call handling and routing. The switchboard system was pivotal in making telecommunication more accessible, but it gradually fell out of favor in the 20th century with the introduction of automated switching systems and digital telephony. The switchboard remains a significant historical artifact, representing crucial advancements in communication technology.