voltmeter (direct reading laboratory standard)
Datelate 19th Century
Inventory Number0269a
ClassificationVoltmeter
Subject
Maker
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
founded 1888
User
Harvard Engineering School
1918 - 1951
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions13.3 × 39.2 × 35.8 cm (5 1/4 × 15 7/16 × 14 1/8 in.)
Material
Accessories0269b (which is a multiplier for 0269a)
Description0269a is a voltmeter (associated with a cylindrical multiplier, see 269b). The instrument is housed in a metal, fan-shaped case, with a gun metal finish. The case has a glass, arc-shaped instrument display window and display panel. The panel ha a scale in increments of 0-150, and a thin, pointed indicator. Below the scale is an arc-shaped reflecting strip.
The fan-shaped case is is mounted on a square perforated wooden base with 4 binding posts marked +, -3,-15,-150. There are multipliers in the base.
The fan-shaped case is is mounted on a square perforated wooden base with 4 binding posts marked +, -3,-15,-150. There are multipliers in the base.
Signedprinted on a curved plaque mounted on the case: WESTON DIRECT READING LABORATORY STANDARD / VOLTMETER / WESTON ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT CO. MANUFACTURERS / NEWARK, N.J., U.S.A.
Inscribedon plaque below signature: PATENTED NOV. 6,1888. NO.392386 & NO. 392387. MAY 14. 1889. NO. 403311. APR. 29. 1890. NO. 426992 & NO. 427022. JUNE 10. 1890 / NO. 19895 & NO. 19896 / N° 67;
printed on a rectangular plaque on the wooden base: HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Curatorial RemarksOld Nos.: "HARVARD UNIVERSITY 1017"
tagged "287"
Function"Direct reading" refers to the first voltmeters that had a scale directly in volts. Unlike earlier models, the user did not need to do additional calculations to obtain a voltage. Probably 19th Century.
ProvenanceFrom the Harvard Engineering School. Removed to this collection 11/56.
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: late 19th Century
Accessories: two shunts (#0270b and #0270c); special leads
Object number: 0270a
General Electric Company
Date: late 19th-mid 20th Century
Accessories: multiplier ( 0271b)
Object number: 0271a
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: 1894
Accessories: Weston portable multiplier (0279b); standardization certificate on back of lid
Object number: 0279a
Siemens & Halske AG
Date: circa 1900
Object number: 0275a,b
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: circa 1914
Accessories: multiplier in case of instrument; standardization certificate from the Weston Laboratory, Newark, N.J. Feb.1914 on lid of wooden case
Object number: 0278
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: 1911
Accessories: shunt (0438b)
Object number: 0438a
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
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: late 19th Century
Accessories: goes with voltmeter 0269a
Object number: 0269b
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: circa 1900
Accessories: Weston portable voltmeter, item 0279a
Object number: 0279b
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: circa 1890
Object number: 1997-1-1061
See also/See also
