Sangamo Electric Company D-5 Wattmeter, circa 1914

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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 patent license, produced a mercury-motor alternative. This version was made well in the 20th century.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Wattmeter

Date Made

circa 1914

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.1980.1407

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Edison Pioneers.

Material

Metal
Glass (Material)

Color

Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 11.75 in
Width: 6.75 in
Length: 5.5 in

Inscriptions

on plate: TYPE D-5 THREE WIRE/ 110/220 VOLTS 25 AMPERES/ NO. 343260/ 1 REV. OF DISK = 3 1/3 WATT HOURS in raised letters on front: SANGAMO ELECTRIC/ COMPANY/ SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS on readout: KILOWATT HOURS on box at bottom: LINE LOAD
Sangamo Electric Company D-5 Wattmeter, circa 1914