Sangamo Electric Company Type F Wattmeter, circa 1910

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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. Induction-type wattmeters proved reliable and would become the industry standard, but until 1910 Westinghouse held the patents. Sangamo Electric Company, which had not been granted a license from Westinghouse, produced this mercury-motor alternative.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Wattmeter

Date Made

circa 1910

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

58.95.15

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Edwin M. Parre.

Material

Metal
Glass (Material)

Color

Black (Color)
White (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 9 in
Width: 6.75 in
Length: 5.25 in

Inscriptions

on readout: KILOWATT HOURS on plate: SANGAMO INTEGRATING WATTMETER/ ALTERNATING CURRENT TYPE F/ VOLTS 110 AMPS. 5 CYCLES 40/140/ SANGAMO ELECTRIC COMPANY/ SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS on plate at bottom: NO 112830
Sangamo Electric Company Type F Wattmeter, circa 1910