potentiometer for bridge measurement
Date: 1900-1920
Inventory Number: 0290
Classification: Potentiometer
Subject:
Maker: H. W. Sullivan (1897 - 1922)
Supplier: James G. Biddle Company (fl. 1890 - 1950)
User: Harvard Engineering School (1918 - 1951)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
20 × 41.5 × 21.3 cm (7 7/8 × 16 5/16 × 8 3/8 in.)
Description:
Four Dials, 1; 10; 100; 1000 under glass. Auxiliary binding posts for higher fixed resistances -- 10,000; 30,000; 60,000. All mounted on hard rubber panel. The panel forms the top of a rectangular wooden case, no cover.
Signedswitchboard marked: H.W. Sullivan London.
side of case marked: Imported by James G. Biddle Philadelphia
side of case marked: Imported by James G. Biddle Philadelphia
Inscribedon instrument: Harvard University 497
twice marked: Property of Harvard Engineering School
twice marked: Property of Harvard Engineering School
FunctionA potentiometer is an instrument for measuring the potential (voltage) in a circuit. Before the introduction of the moving coil and digital volt meters, potentiometers were used in measuring voltage, hence the '-meter' part of their name. The method was described by Johann Christian Poggendorff around 1841 and became a standard laboratory measuring technique.
This information, and more, can be found on the following website.
This information, and more, can be found on the following website.
ProvenanceFrom the Harvard University Engineering School, 11/56.