Duncan Type MF-A Wattmeter, circa 1937

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Artifact Overview

In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used -- and then charge them accordingly. Inventive electrical engineers developed various methods to measure electric power. Induction meters that employed magnetic fields to rotate a disc or cylinder to register energy usage would become the standard. Continued improvements made these wattmeters more compact and reliable.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Wattmeter

Date Made

circa 1937

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

38.327.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Duncan Electric Mfg. Company.

Material

Metal
Glass (Material)

Color

Gray (Color)
White (Color)
Black (Color)
Gold (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 8 in
Width: 6 in
Length: 2.5 in

Inscriptions

on face: DUNCAN/ 5 AMP. 2 663 754 60/ 120 VOLT TYPE MF-A SINGLE PHASE WATTHOUR METER/ 2 WIRE KH 1/3/ DUNCAN ELEC. MFG. CO. LAFAYETTE IND. U.S.A. on readout: KILOWATT HOURS on lower plate: LINE LOAD on back: 103546
Duncan Type MF-A Wattmeter, circa 1937