British Telecom (BT) Octara Keysystem

The British Telecom Octara is a medium size keysystem designed for busy offices such as accountants, solicitors, travel agents, doctors' surgeries etc. The British Telecom Octara was introduced in 1986 and sold until the mid 1990s.

The British Telecom Octara central control unit (CCU) is initially equipped for 2 lines and 6 extensions but can expand using additional 2 x 6 cards up to the last card which is a 2 x 8. This gives the British Telecom Octara system a maximum configuration of 10 lines 32 extensions. The BT Octara system supports analogue lines only.

The BT Octara only supports its own terminal telephones (TX21, TX23 and TX25) and cannot handle standard telephones, DECT cordless phones or fax machines. The British Telecom Octara system is analogue lines only and will not support ISDN. An answering machine can be connected to the British Telecom Octara system via a switch 2A which diverts the incoming line before it gets to the system. An external paging port connects in to most public address systems and a music on hold (MOH) port connects a music source if required.

There are still many British Telecom Octara systems around still working well. We try to hold stocks of all BT Octara parts including CCUs, telephones and expansion cards, although some parts are becoming more difficult to obtain due to the system's age.

 

BT Octara Telephone Handsets

British Telecom TX 21 Basic telephone

British Telecom TX 23 Key telephone

British Telecom TX 25 Key telephone with full handsfree

 

Dennis's Trade Tip: If you are about to install or expand an BT Octara system remember that the extensions connect using a left hand socket 2/3C or 3/3C. Make sure the electrical supply is nice and clean or better still use a mains filter. British Telecom Octaras do not enjoy power surges or spikes so don't plug it in next to the customer's MIG welder!

 

If you have any questions you would like to ask me about the BT Octara or any other telephone system please contact me.