decade resistance box
Datecirca 1920
Inventory Number0577
ClassificationResistance Box
Subject
Maker
Leeds & Northrup Company
1903 - 1995
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions11 x 23 x 16.5 cm (4 5/16 x 9 1/16 x 6 1/2 in.)
Material
DescriptionDecade resistance box consisting of five dial switches of 0.1, 1, 10,100, and 1000 ohms with ten steps each. There are also two small binding posts to the side of the dial switches. These elements are mounted on a hard rubber panel over a rectangular wooden box. The internal resistance made up of 5 coils for each decade and special switching.
Original museum card notes that this instrument probably had a "long history" during and before its use in the Science Center prep room at Harvard University.
Original museum card notes that this instrument probably had a "long history" during and before its use in the Science Center prep room at Harvard University.
Signedon top panel: LEEDS & NORTHRUP CO. / PHILADELPHIA / 59938
Inscribedin paint on box: M 11263
FunctionSuch an instrument is used to measure the resistance of electric conductors. For a short general description and other images, go to the following website.
The decade name comes from the fact that the resistance is measured in single units divided in five dials, each a multiple of 10, from 0.1 to 9999 Ohms.
The decade name comes from the fact that the resistance is measured in single units divided in five dials, each a multiple of 10, from 0.1 to 9999 Ohms.
ProvenanceFrom the Science Center prep room at Harvard University.
