transformer
Date: 1930-1950
Inventory Number: 1997-1-0516
Classification: Transformer
Subject:
Attributed to: ACME Apparatus Company (founded 1920)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
29.7 × 33.5 × 23.7 cm (11 11/16 × 13 3/16 × 9 5/16 in.)
Material:
Accessories: handle; black cylindrical component; wrapping newspaper
DescriptionA rectangular wooden box. On one side, the box is half covered (on the left); this door swings open horizontally because it is attached by two metal hinges. (The right side of door is screwed onto box.) Stuck to the inside of the door is a paper warning label/assembly instructions. Inside the box are several components.
Along the back wall of the box, a vertically oriented black (metal?) plate is wrapped in a black band. To the left of this plate is a rectangular metal protrusion, from which a black connector emerges.
In front of the black plate, a large set of coils is affixed in place, occupying more space inside the box than any other component. The frame holding the coils is black, metal and H-shaped. Under the bar connecting the two sides is a coil of tightly wound gray wires. Over the bar is a spool that is shorter but broader than the coil it sits above; this spool is not covered in wire, but likely was at some point.
The third component inside the box is a short stack of two discs. The bottom disc is white plastic. The top disc is slightly smaller and metal. On top of the metal disc is a black plastic knob.
All three of the above components -- the plate, the coils and the discs -- are connected by yellow insulated wires, often frayed at the end.
There are two additional components that were stored in the device (wrapped in newspaper) and may or may not have been part of the original device. The first is a stiff metal handle. The second is a black cylinder with a taller, thinner black cylinder coming out from the top of it. The base cylinder also has two binding posts on top, and an additional handle-like cylinder coming out perpendicular from the side.
Along the back wall of the box, a vertically oriented black (metal?) plate is wrapped in a black band. To the left of this plate is a rectangular metal protrusion, from which a black connector emerges.
In front of the black plate, a large set of coils is affixed in place, occupying more space inside the box than any other component. The frame holding the coils is black, metal and H-shaped. Under the bar connecting the two sides is a coil of tightly wound gray wires. Over the bar is a spool that is shorter but broader than the coil it sits above; this spool is not covered in wire, but likely was at some point.
The third component inside the box is a short stack of two discs. The bottom disc is white plastic. The top disc is slightly smaller and metal. On top of the metal disc is a black plastic knob.
All three of the above components -- the plate, the coils and the discs -- are connected by yellow insulated wires, often frayed at the end.
There are two additional components that were stored in the device (wrapped in newspaper) and may or may not have been part of the original device. The first is a stiff metal handle. The second is a black cylinder with a taller, thinner black cylinder coming out from the top of it. The base cylinder also has two binding posts on top, and an additional handle-like cylinder coming out perpendicular from the side.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
Inscribedon paper attached to inside of box: - DANGER - / HIGH VOLTAGE. TOUCH NO WIRES OR / METALLIC CONNECTIONS / ASSEMBLE PARTS IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER / 1. Supporting Rod. / 2. Spark cup / 3. Connect wires from cup to binding posts / on outside of the box. / 4. Connection to lamp socket. / Adjust spark by turning / insulated handle.
FunctionA transformer makes use of inductively coupled conductors -- the transformer's coils or "windings" -- to change voltages. AC power running through the primary coil can be "stepped up" or "stepped down" depending on the ratio of number of windings in the two coils.