moving coil galvanometer
Datecirca 1910
Inventory Number0539
ClassificationAmmeter
Subject
Maker
Robert W. Paul Instrument Company
1891 - 1919
User
Harvard University Department of Physics
founded 1726
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionsgalvanometer: 15.5 × 16.4 × 6.1 cm (6 1/8 × 6 7/16 × 2 3/8 in.)
wooden box: 11.5 × 19 × 18.7 cm (4 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 7 3/8 in.)
wooden box: 11.5 × 19 × 18.7 cm (4 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 7 3/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionA single-pivot moving coil horizontal D.C. galvanometer, in a metal, fan-shaped housing, inside a wooden, hinged case. Inside the case, a paper chart describes the instrument specifications. The metal housing has a fan-shaped instrument display window, through which can be seen an arc-shaped instrument scale which is marked 50-0-50. The instrument display window has a line of tar or adhesive on the metal case, around the perimeter of the display. An arc-shaped mirror strip is below the scale, with needle-shaped indicator connected to a pivot near the bottom of the instrument.
A circular glass window in the lower part of the instrument reveals the connection of the instrument indicator needle to the coil. On either side of the instrument is a brass binding post.
A circular glass window in the lower part of the instrument reveals the connection of the instrument indicator needle to the coil. On either side of the instrument is a brass binding post.
Signedprinted below mirror: SINGLE PIVOT GALVANOMETER / NO. 533 / RES 61-0 OHMS AT 16° C ROBT. W. PAUL LONDON PATENTED
sheet of specifications inside the lid of the wooden case is titled: SINGLE PIVOT HORIZONTAL / MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER / ROBT. W. PAUL / 68, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON, W.C.
Curatorial RemarksSimilar to 0280a,b.
FunctionFor detecting and measuring electrical current in a circuit. For high sensitivity measurements.
ProvenanceFrom the Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Physics Department, Harvard, 4/27/70. Triangle indicates its use in the Physics 3 course in the 1920s.
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: circa 1925
Accessories: shunt (0531b); box of 6 screws, two modified bolts, and one small piece of wood (all these originally housed in petri dish, now transferred to archival box)
Object number: 0531a
Rawson Electrical Instrument Company
Date: circa 1930
Object number: 0428
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: 1894
Accessories: Weston portable multiplier (0279b); standardization certificate on back of lid
Object number: 0279a
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: 1911
Accessories: shunt (0438b)
Object number: 0438a
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: 1900-1917
Accessories: wooden instrument case (0526d); shunts (0526b and 0526c)
Object number: 0526a
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: late 19th Century
Accessories: two shunts (#0270b and #0270c); special leads
Object number: 0270a
See also/See also
