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Norstar M7324 Digital Telephone
24-button attendant set · 2-line display · CAP/DSS module capable · M-Series
 Specifications ·  Key Reference ·  Modules ·  Photos ·  Documents 
Norstar M7324 product illustration
Northern Telecom product illustration
M7324   M-Series · 24-Button Attendant Set

The M7324 is the flagship model of the Norstar M-Series telephone family and the standard choice for receptionists, attendants, and operators throughout a Norstar installation. Its 24 fully programmable buttons provide enough capacity to monitor every line and extension on most small-to-medium systems at a glance, while optional CAP and DSS add-on modules extend that coverage further without requiring a second telephone.

24 programmable line / feature buttons
2-line, 16-character alphanumeric display
Accepts CAP and DSS add-on modules
Compatible with all Norstar KSU platforms
Available in Charcoal and Almond
KSU loop-powered — no external power supply

 Technical Specifications
Model Number M7324
Series Norstar M-Series
Programmable Buttons 24 — arranged in three columns of eight, configurable as line appearances, intercom keys, speed dial, Answer DN, or feature access
Display 2-line × 16-character alphanumeric LCD
Display Navigation Keys 3 keys positioned below the display for scrolling through call information, feature options, and directory entries shown on screen
Fixed Keys Release (red), Feature (red), Hold (red), Volume Up, Volume Down, dial pad (0–9, *, #)
Message Waiting LED indicator illuminated by KSU when voicemail or a message is waiting at this extension
Handset Standard NT digital handset with coiled cord
Speakerphone None — handset operation only
Ringer Adjustable volume and tone (programmable via Feature 1)
Station Connection Single pair, standard Norstar digital station port (RJ-11 / RJ-45 to 25-pair distribution)
Power Loop-powered from KSU over station pair — no local AC adapter required
Max. Station Cable Run Up to 300 m (1,000 ft) on 24 AWG solid copper — see Wiring Reference for full distance table
Add-on Modules CAP (Central Answering Position) module and DSS (Direct Station Select) module — see Add-on Modules section below
Colour Options Charcoal (standard), Almond
Desk Stand Integrated tilt stand, two positions
Wall Mountable Yes — handset retainer clip reversible for wall-mount orientation
KSU Compatibility Norstar 3x8, 6x16, Compact ICS (all versions), Integrated ICS, Modular ICS
Interoperability Fully interchangeable on same system with M7100, M7208, M7310, T7100, T7208, T7316, T7316e, T7406
Approx. Dimensions 269 mm × 234 mm × 90 mm (W × D × H with stand)
Approx. Weight Approx. 1.2 kg (set only, without module)


 Key and Button Reference
 Key / Button Type Function
 Buttons 1–24 Programmable Arranged in three columns of eight buttons. Each button is independently assignable as a line appearance, intercom (DN) key, Answer DN, speed dial, or feature shortcut. Each has a dual-LED indicator (red/green) showing real-time line and call state. Button labels are written on paper inserts fitted beneath the transparent overlay on the button panel.
 Display LCD 2-line × 16-character alphanumeric. Shows caller ID (where available), extension names, call timer, feature status, and system prompts. The upper line typically shows caller or line information; the lower line shows elapsed time or contextual options.
 Display Nav Keys Fixed × 3 Three keys positioned directly below the display. Used to scroll through call information, names in the system directory, and options shown on the lower display line. Also used to navigate forward and backward through Norstar feature and programming menus without entering codes manually.
 RLS (Release) Fixed — red Ends the active call and releases the line. Also exits feature programming menus without saving. Equivalent to replacing the handset.
 Feature Fixed — red Activates feature code entry mode. Press Feature followed by the feature code number. Also the entry point for all user-level and System Coordinator programming (Feature ** + password).
 Hold Fixed — red Places the active call on exclusive hold at this set. The held line button flashes to indicate hold status. For system hold (retrievable by any set), use Feature 8­3.
 Volume ▲ / ▼ Fixed × 2 Adjusts handset receive volume during a call. Outside a call, adjusts the ringer volume. Volume settings are saved per call type.
 Dial Pad Fixed Standard 12-key touchtone pad (0–9, *, #). Used for dialling, feature code entry, extension name programming (alpha multi-tap), and navigating menus.
 MSG Indicator LED Steady red light indicates a new message waiting in the voicemail mailbox assigned to this extension. Press Feature 6­5 to retrieve messages.

  Button labelling:  The M7324’s 24 button positions are identified using a paper insert card that slides beneath the transparent plastic overlay on the button panel. A blank template for recording button assignments is available — see M7324 Quick Reference Guide. When CAP modules are attached, each module has its own separate label insert.


 Add-on Modules — CAP and DSS

The M7324 is the only Norstar M-Series set that accepts add-on button modules. Modules attach directly to the right side of the telephone and connect via the module port on the set’s rear panel. Up to two modules may be chained together, providing an operator console with up to 72 monitored buttons in total (24 on the set + 24 per module).

 CAP Module — Central Answering Position
[ CAP Module
Illustration ]
The CAP (Central Answering Position) module adds 24 additional programmable buttons to the M7324, each with its own dual-LED indicator. This allows a receptionist or attendant to monitor and answer calls for a larger number of lines and extensions than the base telephone alone can accommodate.

Each CAP button can be assigned as a line appearance or Answer DN in exactly the same way as the buttons on the base M7324. The CAP module has its own paper label insert under a transparent overlay. When a second CAP module is attached, it connects to the module port on the first CAP, forming a chain.

Buttons per module: 24
Max. modules per set: 2 (for a total of 72 buttons)
Button indicators: Dual-LED (red / green) per button
Power source: Drawn from the base M7324 station loop

 DSS Module — Direct Station Select
[ DSS Module
Illustration ]
The DSS (Direct Station Select) module also adds 24 programmable buttons, but its primary purpose is monitoring and directly dialling extensions within the system. Busy/idle/ringing status for each monitored extension is shown in real time via the per-button LED, giving the attendant an at-a-glance view of the entire floor or department.

A DSS button press while the set is idle initiates an immediate intercom call to the assigned extension. During an active call, pressing a DSS button initiates a transfer to that extension with a single keystroke. This makes the DSS module the preferred choice for operators handling high call volumes in a busy office.

Buttons per module: 24
Primary use: Extension monitoring and one-touch transfer
Button indicators: Dual-LED showing extension busy / idle / ringing
Power source: Drawn from the base M7324 station loop

  Typical attendant configuration:  For a site with up to 8 lines and 16 extensions, the base M7324 alone provides enough buttons to monitor all trunks and extensions simultaneously. Larger sites — or those where the operator must transfer calls quickly by name — typically pair the M7324 with one CAP module (line appearances) and one DSS module (extension directory), giving the attendant 72 monitored points from a single desk position. The CAP Module User Guide covers installation and programming of both module types.



 Photographs

Photographs of the M7324 in charcoal and almond finish, with CAP module, DSS module, button label card detail, and attendant desk configuration.

[  Photograph — Front View  ]

M7324 Charcoal — front
three-quarter view

Front view — charcoal finish
[  Photograph — Front View  ]

M7324 Almond — front
three-quarter view

Front view — almond finish
[  Photograph — With CAP Module  ]

M7324 with single CAP
module attached

M7324 with CAP module
[  Photograph — With DSS Module  ]

M7324 with DSS module
showing extension status LEDs

M7324 with DSS module
[  Photograph — Button Detail  ]

24-button panel showing
label insert and LEDs

Button panel and label insert detail
[  Photograph — Rear Panel  ]

Rear showing line cord socket,
module port, and stand positions

Rear panel — connectors and module port



 Documentation
 Document Type Open
 Norstar M7324 User Card User Card (NT original) Open PDF
 Norstar M7324 Quick Reference Guide Quick Reference Open PDF
 CAP Module User Guide User Guide Open PDF
 MCAP User Card User Card Open PDF
 CICS 7.0 System Coordinator Guide System Coordinator Open PDF
 Norstar Feature Code Quick Reference Reference Page Open Page


  Related M-Series Telephone Sets:
M7100 — single-line, 1-line display ·  M7208 — 8 buttons, 1-line display ·  M7310 — 10+10 buttons, 2-line display, display nav keys ·  M7324 — 24 buttons, 2-line display, CAP/DSS-capable
NT

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Norstar, Northern Telecom, and Nortel are trademarks of their respective owners. Original documentation © Northern Telecom Limited. Archived here for historical and educational use.