Telephone Exchange

Precious metals are a key component of virtually all telephone systems.Only small amounts of precious metals are needed for the manufacture of telephones. Gold is the most common precious metal used in telephones.

Telephone cables and phone jacks are often plated with a gold and steel alloy. Platinum is often used in relay contacts between telephone systems and switchboards.Another precious metal, palladium, which is practically invulnerable to corrosion, is used in the contact points of the telephone's circuitry and in the contacts used for telecommunication systems.