voltage divider

Date: circa 1930

Inventory Number: 1997-1-0214

Classification: Voltage Divider

Subject:

electricity, electrical engineering,

Maker: Burgess Battery Company (founded 1917)

Cultural Region:

United States,

Place of Origin:

Madison,

Dimensions:

5.8 × 14 × 14.1 cm (2 5/16 × 5 1/2 × 5 9/16 in.)

Material:

wood, metal, insulating material,

Description:

Wooden square base holding a coil with four contacts, covered by a black rectangular metal mesh. In front it has a pale with four binding posts with black knobs, marked -, 45, 90 and 100.

Signedon knobs on raised letters: BURGESS

Inscribedon panel below knobs: 50 watts 500 OHMS

FunctionTo divide the voltage from a source. The voltage is divided differently depending on which posts are connected. It makes use of the voltage drop across the coil, being essentially a rheostat with fixed contacts.