Open-dial-switch resistance box

Object summary

Title: Open-dial-switch resistance box
Object ID: IN-0083
Date made: 1920
Place made: United States, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Artist/creator: Leeds and Northrup Company
Object type: Resistance bridge
Major collection: Science
On view: No

Description

Rectangular decade resistance box with five dials on the top panel. The dials are marked with resistances of .1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 ohms, and with steps numbered from 0-10, indicated by raised metal discs around the dial. There are two binding posts on one side of the instrument. The top panel is attached to a case with a wood base and perforated metal sides. Catalog number 55759.

Resistance boxes are used to measure the electrical resistance of a conductor. This instrument was used in MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering.