On Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:17:24 -0400, E Z Peaces
wrote:

Brian Lawson wrote:
On Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:29:33 -0400, E Z Peaces
wrote:

Smaug Ichorfang wrote:
The more I look at 1338, I wonder if it is indeed aa metal-foil
electroscope. Typically these have very thin pieces of metal foil
suspended from a central conductor. The center piece in this looks way too
thick to be an electroscope. Does the center piece move; can it pivot from
side to side? Are the two terminals on the sides adjustable? Is it
possible this is a tilt switch of some sort?


How about a line frequency monitor from a time when automated equipment
to keep a generator on frequency was not reliable.

SNIP

Naw. Prior to the 40's, flyball governors were used to do that.


A flyball governor can keep a motor running at a nearly constant speed,
but synchronous clocks, invented in 1916, require precise speed control
If the generator is 1% slow (59.4 Hz), clocks will lose about 15 minutes
a day.

Doesn't that point to the need for a tuning fork to monitor the
governor? A meter could provide the necessary information, but a man
might notice the absence of a hum before he would happen to look at the
meter.


All I know is what I see. 25 cycle power, using a BIIIIIIIGG brake to
govern the speed of the generator. Brake is operated by fly-ball
governor. Whether or not synchronous clocks were "invented" in 1916,
they sure were not in regular use is common practice. Heck, I still
do have a pendulum clock that keeps good time.

Brian Lawson,
Bothwell, Ontario.