Computerized signals are to eventually replace the electromechanical switches that have guided train movements for a century.
Not very long ago, it took about $50 million to develop electromechanical central switches for the telephone system, and about 2,000 workers to produce them.
Historically, even synchronous electromechanical switches and motors have been used.
Function wise, it is similar to an electromechanical switch except that it has no moving parts.
As power is expensive at higher frequencies, electromechanical switches provide the lowest possible loss along the transmission path.
As there are no moving parts involved within the sensor or magnet, typical life expectancy is improved compared to traditional electromechanical switches.
Every task in electromechanical switches was done in big metallic pieces of hardware.
If they broke into a telco building and went after an electromechanical switch with a toolbelt, that would at least leave many traces.
In older electromechanical switches, one occasionally heard a clank of "switching noise."
After several years, Bell engineers began designing electromechanical switches that could be controlled by it.