decade box resistance
Datecirca 1948
Inventory Number1997-1-0193
ClassificationResistance Box
Subject
Maker
Leeds & Northrup Company
1903 - 1995
User
Department of Physics, Harvard University
founded 1884
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions12.3 × 39.3 × 10.7 cm (4 13/16 × 15 1/2 × 4 3/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionLong rectangular resistance box with four circular dial switches marked with resistances of 1, 10, 100 and 1000 ohms. Each dial is also marked with steps from 0-10. There are two small binding posts at the top.
These elements are mounted on a hard rubber panel over a wooden base. Twelve large metal screws attach the rubber panel to the wooden base.
These elements are mounted on a hard rubber panel over a wooden base. Twelve large metal screws attach the rubber panel to the wooden base.
Signedon top panel: 4746 / LEEDS & NORTHRUP CO. / PHILADELPHIA / 230463 / MADE IN U.S.A.
Inscribedone binding post labeled: GR [ground]
Curatorial RemarksHas tag which gives description of instrument, and which says "from Physics 3 Jeff Lab", "230463" and "4746". Instrument has metal insignia on one side.
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.
This one is more recent but works on the same principle. The decade name comes from the fact that the resistance is measured in single units divided in four dials, each a multiple of 10, from 1 to 9999 Ohms.
This one is more recent but works on the same principle. The decade name comes from the fact that the resistance is measured in single units divided in four dials, each a multiple of 10, from 1 to 9999 Ohms.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Physics, Jefferson Laboratory, Harvard University.
