Abstract: A paging system in which a large number of paging amplifiers may be connected to a pair of signal and power carrying wires having insufficient capacity to carry operating power for the amplifiers. Each of the amplifiers has a local chargeable battery connected to receive charging current from the pair of wires and for operating the associated paging amplifier. Charging power is applied to the pair of wires for charging the batteries during intervals when no paging signal is being carried by the wires. The presence or absence of charging power is detected and the paging amplifiers disabled or enabled respectively in response.