Inside a Sound Powered Element
Balanced Armature

Simplified Balanced Armature Element

Each element is different in construction, but the basic idea is the same.
 

Inside the RCA Sound Powered Element (handset)
Handset MI-2040-A
These are very similar to the old style "Big Can" headsets also

In the view below you can see the armature balanced between the two magnets.
It is a thin flat sheet trapped (in this case) between two adjustment nuts.


Note: The label "perm. magnet unit" is not pointing to the magnet itself, but instead
to the laminated plates that bring the magnetic field into play with the armature.
It is part of  the "perm magnet unit".

That armature should be centered evenly between the two magnets units.
If it is not, the element will loose performance.
 
 
 

Below is the diaphragm (large yellow object). It is connected to the drive rod,
which is connected to the armature.


 

Inside the Western Electric Sound Powered Element
D-173012(mic), D173014(ear) the same.

Note that unlike the above RCA unit, the Western Electric unit does not have
nuts for adjustment. The mass of the drive rod is much smaller also.

Tips
The following is a "Tip" from John Hz on centering the armature on Western Electric
elements for better performance. John just finished up a headset using these elements.

There are two screws inside. The diaphragm is connected via a rod to the armature. The
armature was all the way down, touching the lower magnet pole, so I loosened the two screws
and shimmed the flap off the magnet poles with paper, then tightened the screws.

Thanks John!

Note:
1)    Extreme caution must be taken when working with any balanced
       armature element. They are very vulnerable to dirt and metal particles
       that might enter in while working on them. They are very delicate also,
       and will not take very much abuse
2)    "Tinkering" with the spacing till it is centered yields more sensitivity


Inside the RCA Electric Sound Powered Element
This is from a headset of the newer type MI-2454-B.
Much smaller in size than the "Big Can" type headsets


 

Inside the Automatic Electric Sound Powered Element
From a set of "decktalker" type headset.
element model GD-51002-B

This element is built very massive in the "frame", but the drive rod
and armature are very delicate. Much more delicate than the RCA elements and much
closer to the Western Electric elements.
 

Inside the Stromberg Carlson Sound Powered Element
UA1611-1, UA1611-1
also very simular to Telephonic 14070-2 and Dynalec UA1611-1, UA1611-2

There are small differences between the Stromberg Carlson elements and the
Telephonic or Dynalec elements. The Stromberg Carlson seem to be made with a little
more quality then the other two. Mainly in the coil and magnets. The Diaphragm is much
more flat that most other balanced armature elements.
Very easy to adjust because the adjusting nuts are out in the open.

Inside the British Telephone Sound Powered Element

I believe this element came from a British telephone unit.
It is a balanced armature unit.
 


I'm still working on this page, so check back for more photos later!

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