This “differentially controlled” arc lamp consisted of two slabs of
carbon between which the arc played. In the original lamp the carbon
slabs were mounted on pieces of wood held in place by bolts, adjustment
being made by hitting the upper carbon slab with a hammer. This lamp is
in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.]
[Illustration: WALLACE-FARMER DYNAMO, 1875.
This was the first commercial dynamo used in the United States for
arc lighting. This dynamo is in the collection of the Smithsonian
Institution.]
About 1875 William Wallace of Ansonia, Connecticut, made an arc light
consisting of two rectangular carbon plates mounted on a wooden frame.
The arc played between the two edges of the plates, which lasted much
longer than rods. When the edges had burned away so that the arc then
became unduly long, the carbon plates were brought closer together by
hitting them with a hammer. Wallace became associated with Moses G.
Farmer, and they improved this crude arc by fastening the upper carbon
plate to a rod which was held by a clutch controlled by a magnet. This
magnet had two coils in one, the inner winding in series with the arc,
and outer one in shunt and opposing the series winding. The arc was
therefore differentially controlled.
[Illustration: WESTON’S ARC LAMP, 1876.
This lamp is in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.]
They also developed a series wound direct current dynamo. The armature
consisted of a number of bobbins, all connected together in an endless
ring. Each bobbin was also connected to a commutator bar. There were
two sets of bobbins, commutators and field poles, the equivalent of two
machines in one, which could be connected either to separate circuits,
or together in series on one circuit. The Wallace-Farmer system was
commercially used. The arc consumed about 20 amperes at about 35 volts,
but as the carbon plates cooled the arc, the efficiency was poor.
The arc flickered back and forth on the edges of the carbons casting
dancing shadows. The carbons, while lasting about 50 hours, were not
uniform in density, so the arc would flare up and cast off soot and
sparks.
Edward Weston of Newark, New Jersey, also developed an arc lighting
system. His commercial lamp had carbon rods, one above the other, and
the arc was also differentially controlled. An oil dash pot prevented
undue pumping of the carbons. His dynamo had a drum-wound armature, and
had several horizontal field coils on each side of one pair of poles
between which the armature revolved. The system was designed for about
20 amperes, each are taking about 35 volts.
[Illustration: BRUSH’S DYNAMO, 1877.
This dynamo was used for many years for commercial arc lighting.]
[Illustration: DIAGRAM OF BRUSH ARMATURE.
The armature was not a closed circuit. For description of its
operation, see text.]
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