Sangamo Electric Company Type C Wattmeter, 1904-1905

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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

1904-1905

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

00.285.129

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of General Electric.

Material

Metal

Color

Silver (Color)
White (Color)
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 8.25 in
Width: 7 in
Length: 4.5 in

Inscriptions

on readout: SANGAMO ELECTRIC COMPANY/ DIRECT READING/ PATENTED/ SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, U.S.A. on plate: SANGAMO/ DIRECT CURRENT METER/ VOLTS 115 AMPERES 10 on terminal box: NO 50283/ IN SHUNT/ OUT
Sangamo Electric Company Type C Wattmeter, 1904-1905