This is a black galvanometer with a cylindrical body. A circular plastic base sits on a tripod of adjustable feet. On top of this there is a cylindrical case with a rectangular window opening on one side. Through this window there is a small round mirror centrally attached to a very fine vertical thread. In front of the cylindrical body there are two contacts with plastic knurled knobs that can be screwed up and down to attach wires. On top of the cylindrical body there are two metal attachments, one a small split cylinder labelled “ZERO ADJUSTER”, the other a knob attached flat with an open hole in the centre, labelled “COIL CLAMP”.
Accession Number: 2018.ast.87 (DAA-022)
Mirror galvanometer, D’Arsonval galvanometer, Reflecting galvanometer
Plastic, Metal: Iron Alloy, Metal: Copper Alloy, Glass
Engraved the front of the base: “658624”
Embossed on the top of the base: “LEEDS & NORTHRUP CO.
PHILADELPHIA, PA”
In white engraved lettering on top of the cylinder: “MADE IN U.S.A.”
“ZERO ADJUSTER COIL CLAMP”
Dimensions (cm): Height = 22.8, Diameter = 12.7
Galvanometers detect very small changes in electrical current. A moving-coil galvanometers do this by having an electrical current running through a coil creates a magnetic field that turns against the field created by a permanent horseshoe magnet. This interaction slightly deflects a small mirror. Shining light at this mirror allows the deflections of the mirror to be projected onto a scale and measured.
Excellent: The galvanometer shows few signs of use or damage. The knob on the top of the galvanometer is slightly corroded.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: Leeds & Northrup Company
Date of Manufacture: c. 1960
This object was likely moved from the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill in 2008, upon the sale of the observatory. It was stored at the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics until 2017, when it was moved to a new storage location in McLennan Physical Laboratories.
An instructional manual can be found <a href=https://www2.humboldt.edu/scimus/Instruments/L&N%202285Galv/L&N_GalvMan.htm>here</a>, hosted on the Robert A. Paselk Scientific Instrument Museum (Humboldt State University) page.
Historical Notes:
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