What is an EHS Cable? - Electronic Hook Switch

What is an EHS Cable?

An EHS Cable (Electronic Hook Switch) connects a wireless headset to a desk phone and enables the user to answer and end calls via a button on the headset. With an EHS cable you can answer or end a call while away from the desk, so even if you’re in another room you can continue chatting and taking calls.

The EHS cable uses internal wiring to communicate between the telephone and headset base. It is a clean and modern solution to remote answering that will sit neatly tucked away behind your telephone. Most major headset manufacturers make EHS cables compatible with their headsets. This includes the likes of Plantronics Poly, EPOS Sennheiser, Jabra and Yealink. EHS cables are available for a wide range of telephones, but bear in mind, not every telephone is EHS compatible. Always be sure to check that the EHS cable is compatible with your phone before investing.

If your telephone is not EHS compatible…

If your telephone is not EHS compatible, then the next best alternative is a Handset Lifter.

Handset lifters are a piece of equipment that mechanically lifts and lowers the telephone handset to engage or end a call. Just like EHS cables they are activated by pressing the main action button on the headset.

The key difference between a handset lifter and EHS cable is that the handset lifter mechanically lifts the handpiece, whereas the EHS cable uses internal wiring to achieve the same goal. Because a handset lifter involves moving pieces they are more susceptible to wear and tear or mechanical failure than EHS cables. Handset lifters are widely available and will work with 99% of desk telephones.

How do EHS Cables work?

Step 1: Plug in Your EHS Cable according to the setup instructions

Step 2: When a call comes in, press the main action button on the headset. The EHS cable will then communicate with the telephone and answer the call for you. This happens almost instantly.

Step 3: When you are done with your call, press the same button you used to answer to hang up the call.

It's that simple!

Handset lifter or EHS Cable?

Choosing between a handset lifter is generally quite straightforward. They both help achieve the same result, just in slightly different ways. 99% of phones take handset lifters, but not every phone will take an EHS cable.

If your phone is EHS compatible we generally recommend choosing an EHS Cable over a lifter as it is a more modern solution without mechanical working parts.