Chapter C: G. S (4)

Distributing Switches. Switch systems for enabling different dynamos to supply different lines of a system as required. Spring jacks, q. v., are used for the lines, and plug switches for the dynamo leads. Thus, dynamos can be thrown in or out as desired, without putting out the lights.

Distribution of Electric Energy, Systems of. The systems of electric current distribution from central stations or from private generating plants, mechanical or battery, the latter primary or secondary. They include in general the alternating current system and direct current systems. Again, these may be subdivided into series and multiple arc, multiple-series and series-multiple distribution, and the three, four, or five wire system may be applied to multiple arc or multiple series systems. (See Alternating Current--Current System--Multiple Arc--Multiple Series--Series Multiple--Three Wire System.)

Door Opener, Electric. An apparatus for opening a door by pushing back the latch. A spring then draws the door open, and it is closed against the force of the spring by the person entering. Electro-magnetic mechanism actuates the latch, and is operated by a switch or press-button. Thus a person on the upper floor can open the hall door without descending.

Dosage, Galvanic. In electro-therapeutics the amount of electric current or discharge, and duration of treatment given to patients.

Double Carbon Arc Lamp. An arc lamp designed to burn all night, usually constructed with two parallel sets of carbons, one set replacing the other automatically, the current being switched from the burnt out pair to the other by the action of the mechanism of the lamp.

191 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Double Fluid Theory. A theory of electricity. Electricity is conveniently treated as a fluid or fluids. According to the double fluid hypothesis negative electricity is due to a preponderance of negative fluid and vice versa. Like fluid repels like, and unlike attracts unlike; either fluid is attracted by matter; the presence in a body of one or the other induces electrification; united in equal proportions they neutralize each other, and friction, chemical decomposition and other causes effect their separation. The hypothesis, while convenient, is overshadowed by the certainty that electricity is not really a fluid at all. (See Single Fluid Theory--Fluid, Electric.)

Synonym--Symmer's Theory.

[Transcriber's note: Current is the motion of negative electrons in a conductor or plasma. Unequal distribution of electrons is static electricity. The relatively immobile nuclei of atoms are positive when one or more of its electrons is absent and accounts for part of the current in electrolysis and plasmas.]

Double Fluid Voltaic Cell. A cell in which two fluids are used, one generally as depolarizer surrounding the negative plate, the other as excitant surrounding the positive plate. A porous diaphragm or difference in specific gravities is used to keep the solutions separate and yet permit the essential electrolytic diffusion. Grove's Cell, Bunsen's Cell, and Daniell's Cell, all of which may be referred to, are of this type, as are many others.

Double Wedge. A plug for use with a spring-jack. It has connection strips at its end and another pair a little distance back therefrom, so that it can make two loop connections at once.

Synonym--Double Plug.

Doubler. A continuously acting electrophorous, q.v.; an early predecessor of the modern electric machines. It is now no longer used.

D. P. Abbreviation for Potential Difference.

Drag. The pull exercised by a magnetic field upon a conductor moving through it or upon the motion of an armature in it.

Dreh-strom. (German) Rotatory currents; a system of currents alternating in periodic succession of phases and producing a rotatory field. (See Field, Rotatory--Multiphase Currents.)

Drill Electric. A drill for metals or rock worked by an electro-magnetic motor. For metals a rotary motion, for rocks a reciprocating or percussion action is imparted. It is used by shipbuilders for drilling holes in plates which are in place in ships, as its flexible conductors enable it to be placed anywhere. For rock-drilling a solenoid type of construction is adopted, producing rapid percussion.

192 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Drip Loop. A looping downward of wires entering a building, so that rain water, as it runs along the wire, will drip from the lowest part of the loop instead of following the wire into or against the side of the building.

Driving Horns. Projections on the periphery of an armature of a dynamo for holding the winding in place and preventing its displacement. Various arrangements have been adopted. They are sometimes wedges or pins and are sometimes driven into spaces left in the drum core. The toothed disc armature cores make up an armature in which the ridges formed by the teeth form practically driving horns.

Dronier's Salt. A substance for solution for use in bichromate batteries. It is a mixture of one-third potassium bichromate and two-thirds potassium bisulphate. It is dissolved in water to make the exciting fluid.

Drop, Automatic. A switch or circuit breaker, operating to close a circuit by dropping under the influence of gravity. It is held up by a latch, the circuit remaining open, until the latch is released by a current passing through an electro-magnet. This attracting an armature lets the drop fall. As it falls it closes a local or second circuit, and thus may keep a bell ringing until it is replaced by hand. It is used in burglar alarms, its function being to keep a bell ringing even though the windows or door by which entrance was made is reclosed.

193 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Fig. 133. THE MAGIC DRUM.

Drum, Electric. A drum with a mechanism within for striking the head with a hammer or some equivalent method so as to be used as a piece of magical apparatus. In the one shown in the cut a sort of telephone action is used to produce the sound, the electro-magnet D and armature being quite screened from observation through the hole. (See Fig. 133) A ring, C, shown in Fig. 133, with two terminals, the latter shown by the unshaded portions a a, and a suspending hook E, also with two terminals, and two suspending conductors A, B, carry the current to the magnet. A sudden opening or closing of the circuit produces a sound.

Dub's Laws. 1. The magnetism excited at any transverse section of a magnet is proportional to the square root of the distance between the given section and the end.

2. The free magnetism at any given transverse section of a magnet is proportional to the difference between the square root of half the length of the magnet and the square root of the distance between the given section and the nearest end.

Duct. The tube or compartment in an electric subway for the reception of a cable. (See Conduit, Electric Subway.)

Dyad. A chemical term; an element which in combination replaces two monovalent elements; one which has two bonds or is bivalent.

Dyeing, Electric. The producing mordanting or other dyeing effects on goods in dyeing by the passage of an electric current.

Dynamic Electricity. Electricity of relatively low potential and large quantity; current electricity as distinguished from static electricity; electricity in motion.

194 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Dynamo, Alternating Current. A dynamo-electric machine for producing an alternating current; an alternator. They are classified by S. P. Thompson into three classes--I. Those with stationary field-magnet and rotating armature. II. Those with rotating field magnet and stationary armature. III. Those with both field magnet part and armature part stationary, the amount of magnetic induction from the latter through the former being caused to vary or alternate in direction by the revolution of appropriate pieces of iron, called inductors. Another division rests on whether they give one simple alternating current, a two phase current, or whether they give multi phase currents. (See Current, Alternating--Currents, Multiphase.)

A great many kinds of alternators have been constructed. Only an outline of the general theory can be given here. They are generally multipolar, with north and south poles alternating around the field. The armature coils, equal in number in simple current machines, to the poles, are wound in opposite senses, so that the current shall be in one direction, though in opposite senses, in all of them at anyone time. As the armature rotates the coils are all approaching their poles at one time and a current in one sense is induced in every second coil, and one in the other sense in the other coils. They are all in continuous circuit with two open terminals, each connected to its own insulated connecting ring on the shaft. As the coils pass the poles and begin to recede from them the direction changes, and the current goes in the other direction until the next poles are reached and passed. Thus there are as many changes of direction of current per rotation as there are coils in the armature or poles in the field.

Fig. 134. ALTERNATING CURRENT DYNAMO WITH SEPARATE EXCITER MOUNTED ON MAIN SHAFT.

195 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

The field-magnets whose windings may be in series are often excited by a separate direct current generation. Some are self-exciting, one or more of the armature coils being separated from the rest, and connected to a special commutator, which rectifies its current.

By properly spacing the coils with respect to the poles of the field, and connecting each set of coils by itself to separate connecting rings, several currents can be taken from the same machine, which currents shall have a constant difference in phase. It would seem at first sight that the same result could be attained by using as many separate alternators as there were currents to be produced. But it would be almost impossible to preserve the exact relation of currents and current phase where each was produced by its own machine. The currents would overrun each other or would lag behind. In a single machine with separate sets of coils the relation is fixed and invariable.

Fig. I35. DIAGRAM OF ARRANGEMENT OF ARMATURE COILS AND COLLECTING RINGS IN AN ALTERNATING CURRENT DYNAMO.

Dynamo, Alternating Current, Regulation of. Transformers, converters, or induction coils are used to regulate alternating current dynamos, somewhat as compound winding is applied in the case of direct-current dynamos. The arrangement consists in connecting the primary of an induction coil or transformer into the external circuit with its secondary connected to the field circuit. Thus the transformer conveys current to the field picked up from the main circuit, and represents to some extent the shunt of a direct-current machine.

Dynamo, Commercial Efficiency of. The coefficient, q. v., obtained by dividing the mechanically useful or available work of a dynamo by the mechanical energy absorbed by it. This only includes the energy available in the outer circuit, for doing useful work.

196 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Fig. 136. COMPOUND WOUND DYNAMO.

Dynamo. Compound. A compound wound dynamo; one which has two coils on its field magnet; one winding is in series with the external circuit and armature; the other winding is in parallel with the armature winding, or else with the armature winding and field winding, both in series. (See Winding, Long Shunt--Winding, Short Shunt.)

Such a dynamo is, to a certain extent, self-regulating, the two coils counteracting each other, and bringing about a more regular action for varying currents than that of the ordinary shunt or series dynamo.

The extent of the regulation of such a machine depends on the proportions given its different parts. However good the self-regulating may be in a compound wound machine, it can only be perfect at one particular speed.

To illustrate the principle on which the approximate regulation is obtained the characteristic curve diagram may be consulted.

Fig. 137. CURVES OF SERIES AND SHUNT WINDINGS SUPERIMPOSED.

One curve is the curve of a series winding, the other that of a shunt winding, and shows the variation of voltage in each with resistance in the external or working circuit. The variation is opposite in each case. It is evident that the two windings could be so proportioned on a compound machine that the resultant of the two curves would be a straight line. This regulation would then be perfect and automatic, but only for the one speed.

197 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Dynamo, Direct Current. A dynamo giving a current of unvarying direction, as distinguished from an alternator or alternating current dynamo.

Dynamo, Disc. A dynamo with a disc armature, such as Pacinotti's disc, q. v. (See also Disc, Armature.) The field magnets are disposed so that the disc rotates close to their poles, and the poles face or are opposite to the side or sides of the disc. The active leads of wire are those situated on the face or faces of the disc.

Fig. 138. POLECHKO'S DISC DYNAMO.

Dynamo-electric Machine. A machine driven by power, generally steam power, and converting the mechanical energy expended on driving it into electrical energy of the current form. The parts of the ordinary dynamo may be summarized as follows: First, A circuit as complete as possible of iron. Such circuit is composed partly of the cores of an electro-magnet or of several electro-magnets, and partly of the cylindrical or ring-shaped core of an armature which fits as closely as practicable between the magnet ends or poles which are shaped so as to partly embrace it. Second, of coils of insulated wire wound upon the field-magnet cores. When these coils are excited the field-magnets develop polarity and the circuit just spoken of becomes a magnetic circuit, interrupted only by the air gaps between the poles and armatures. Thirdly, of coils of insulated wire upon the armature core. These coils when rotated in the magnetic field cut magnetic lines of force and develop electro-motive force.

198 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Fourthly, of collecting mechanism, the commutator in direct current dynamos, attached to the armature shaft and rotating with it. This consists of insulated rings, or segments of rings to which the wire coils of the armature are connected, and on which two springs of copper or plates of carbon or some other conductor presses. The electro-motive force developed by the cutting of lines of force, by the wires of the armature, shows itself as potential difference between the two springs. If the ends of a conductor are attached, one to each of these brushes, the potential difference will establish a current through the wire. By using properly divided and connected segments on the commutator the potential difference and consequent direction of the current may be kept always in the same sense or direction. It is now clear that the external wire may be connected with the windings of the field-magnet. In such case the excitement of the field-magnets is derived from the armature and the machine is self-excited and entirely self-contained.

The above is a general description of a dynamo. Sometimes the coils of the field-magnets are not connected with the armature, but derive their current from an outside source. Such are termed separately excited dynamos.

Some general features of dynamo generators may be seen in the definitions under this head and elsewhere. The general conception is to cut lines of force with a conductor and thus generate electromotive force, or in some way to change the number of lines of force within a loop or circuit with the same effect.

Dynamo, Electroplating. A dynamo designed for low potential and high current intensity. They are wound for low resistance, frequently several wires being used in parallel, or ribbon, bar or rectangular conductors being employed. They are of the direct current type. They should be shunt wound or they are liable to reverse. They are sometimes provided with resistance in the shunt, which is changed as desired to alter the electro-motive force.

Dynamo, Equalizing. A combination for three and five-wire systems. A number of armatures or of windings on the same shaft are connected across the leads. If the potential drops at any pair of mains, the armature will begin to be driven by the other mains, acting to an extent as an element of a motor, and will raise the potential in the first pair.

Dynamo, Far Leading. A motor dynamo, used to compensate the drop of potential in long mains. Into the mains at a distant point a series motor is connected, driving a dynamo placed in shunt across the mains. The dynamo thus driven raises the potential difference between the two mains.

199 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Dynamograph. A printing telegraph in which the message is printed at both transmitting and receiving ends.

Dynamo, Inductor. A generator in which the armature or current-generating windings are all comprised upon the poles of the field magnets. Masses of iron, which should be laminated and are the inductors, are carried past the field magnet poles concentrating in their passage the lines of force, thus inducing currents in the coils. In one construction shown in the cut the field magnets a, a .. are U shaped and are arranged in a circle, their poles pointing inwards. A single exciting coil c, c ... is wound around the circle in the bend of the V-shaped segments. The poles carry the armature coils e, e ... The laminated inductors i, i ... are mounted on a shaft S, by spiders h, to be rotated inside the circle of magnets, thus generating an alternating current.

Synonym--Inductor Generator.

Fig. 139. INDUCTOR DYNAMO.

Dynamo, Interior Pole. A dynamo with a ring armature, with field magnet pole pieces which extend within the ring.

200 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Dynamo, Iron Clad. A dynamo in which the iron of the field magnet is of such shape as to enclose the field magnet coils as well as the armature.

Dynamometer. A device or apparatus for measuring force applied, or rate of expenditure of energy by, or work done in a given time by a machine. A common spring balance can be used as a force dynamometer, viz: to determine how hard a man is pulling and the like. The steam engine indicator represents an energy-dynamometer of the graphic type, the instrument marking an area whence, with the aid of the fixed factors of the engine, the work done may be determined. Prony's Brake, q. v., is a type of the friction dynamometer, also of the energy type. In the latter type during the experiment the whole power must be turned on or be expended on the dynamometer.

Dynamo, Motor. A motor dynamo is a machine for (a) converting a continuous current at any voltage to a continuous current of different strength at a different voltage or for (b) transforming a continuous current into an alternating one, and vice versa.

For the first type see Transformer, Continuous Current; for the second type see Transformer, Alternating Current.

Dynamo, Multipolar. A dynamo having a number of field magnet poles, not merely a single north and a single south pole. The field magnet is sometimes of a generally circular shape with the poles arranged radially within it, the armature revolving between the ends.

Dynamo, Non-polar. A name given by Prof. George Forbes to a dynamo invented by him. In it a cylinder of iron rotates within a perfectly self-contained iron-clad field magnet. The current is taken off by brushes bearing near the periphery, at two extremities of a diameter. A machine with a disc 18 inches in diameter was said to give 3,117 amperes, with 5.8 volts E. M. F. running at 1,500 revolutions per second. The E. M. F. of such machines varies with the square of the diameter of the disc or cylinder.

Dynamo, Open Coil. A dynamo the windings of whose armatures may be grouped in coils, which are not connected in series, but which have independent terminals. These terminals are separate divisions of the commutator and so spaced that the collecting brushes touch each pair belonging to the same coil simultaneously. As the brushes come in contact with the sections forming the terminals they take current from the coil in question. This coil is next succeeded by another one, and so on according to the number of coils employed.

Dynamo, Ring. A dynamo the base of whose field magnets is a ring in general shape, or perhaps an octagon, and with poles projecting inwardly therefrom.

201 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Dynamo, Coupling of. Dynamos can be coupled exactly like batteries and with about the same general results. An instance of series coupling would be given by the dynamos in the three wire system when no current is passing through the neutral wire, and when the lamps on each side of it are lighted in equal number.

Dynamo, Self-exciting. A dynamo which excites its own field. The majority of dynamos are of this construction. Others, especially alternating current machines, are separately excited, the field magnets being supplied with current from a separate dynamo or current generator.

Dynamo, Separate Circuit. A dynamo in which the field magnet coils are entirely disconnected from the main circuit, and in which current for the field is supplied by special coils carried for the purpose by the same armature, or by a special one, in either case a special commutator being provided to collect the current.

Dynamo, Separately Excited. A dynamo whose field magnets are excited by a separate current generator, such as a dynamo or even a battery. Alternating current dynamos are often of this construction. Direct current dynamos are not generally so. The term is the opposite of self-exciting.

Fig. 140. SERIES DYNAMO.

Dynamo, Series. A dynamo whose armature, field winding, and external circuit are all in series.

In such a dynamo short circuiting or lowering the resistance of the external circuit strengthens the field, increases the electro-motive force and current strength and may injure the winding by heating the wire, and melting the insulation.

202 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Dynamo, Shunt. A dynamo whose field is wound in shunt with the external circuit. Two leads are taken from the brushes; one goes around the field magnets to excite them; the other is the external circuit.

In such a dynamo the lowering of resistance on the outer circuit takes current from the field and lowers the electro-motive force of the machine. Short circuiting has no heating effect.

Fig. 141. SHUNT DYNAMO.

Dynamo, Single Coil. A dynamo whose field magnet is excited by a single coil. Several such have been constructed, with different shapes of field magnet cores, in order to obtain a proper distribution of poles.

Dynamo, Tuning Fork. A dynamo in which the inductive or armature coils were carried at the ends of the prongs of a gigantic tuning fork, and were there maintained in vibration opposite the field magnets. It was invented by T. A. Edison, but never was used.

Dynamo, Uni-polar. A dynamo in which the rotation of a conductor effects a continuous increase in the number of lines cut, by the device of arranging one part of the conductor to slide on or around the magnet. (S. P. Thomson.) Faraday's disc is the earliest machine of this type.

203 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Dyne. The C. G. S. or fundamental unit of force. It is the force which can impart an acceleration of one centimeter per second to a mass of one gram in one second. It is equal to about 1/981 the weight of a gram, this weight varying with the latitude.

Earth. (a) The earth is arbitrarily taken as of zero electrostatic potential. Surfaces in such condition that their potential is unchanged when connected to the earth are said to be of zero potential. All other surfaces are discharged when connected to the earth, whose potential, for the purposes of man at least, never changes.

(b) As a magnetic field of force the intensity of the earth's field is about one-half a line of force per square centimeter.

(c) The accidental grounding of a telegraph line is termed an earth, as a dead, total, partial, or intermittent earth, describing the extent and character of the trouble.

[Transcriber's note: Fallen power lines can produce voltage gradients on the earth's surface that make walking in the area dangerous, as in hundreds of volts per foot. Lightning may be associated with substantial changes in the static ground potential.]

Earth, Dead. A fault, when a telegraph or other conductor is fully connected to earth or grounded at some intermediate point.

Synonyms--Solid Earth--Total Earth.

Earth, Partial. A fault, when a telegraph or other conductor is imperfectly connected to earth or grounded at some intermediate point.

Earth Plate. A plate buried in the earth to receive the ends of telegraph lines or other circuits to give a ground, q. v. A copper plate is often used. A connection to a water or gas main gives an excellent ground, far better than any plate. When the plate oxidizes it is apt to introduce resistance.

Earth Return. The grounding of a wire of a circuit at both ends gives the circuit an earth return.

Earth, Swinging. A fault, when a telegraph or other conductor makes intermittent connection with the earth. It is generally attributable to wind action swinging the wire, whence the name.

Ebonite. Hard vulcanized India rubber, black in color. Specific resistance in ohms per cubic centimeter at 46º C. (115º F.): 34E15 (Ayrton); specific inductive capacity, (air = 1): 2.56 (Wüllner); 2.76 (Schiller); 3.15 (Boltzmann). It is used in electrical apparatus for supporting members such as pillars, and is an excellent material for frictional generation of potential. Its black color gives it its name, and is sometimes made a point of distinction from Vulcanite, q. v.

204 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Economic Coefficient. The coefficient of electric efficiency. (See Efficiency, Electric.)

Edison Effect. A continuous discharge resulting in a true current which takes place between a terminal of an incandescent lamp filament and a plate placed near it. The lamp must be run at a definitely high voltage to obtain it.

Ediswan. An abbreviation for Edison-Swan; the trade name of the incandescent lamp used in Great Britain, and of other incandescent system apparatus.

Fig. 142. GYMNOTUS ELECTRICUS.

Eel, Electric (Gymnotus Electricus). An eel capable of effecting the discharge of very high potential electricity, giving painful or dangerous shocks. Its habitat is the fresh water, in South America. Faraday investigated it and estimated its shock as equal to that from fifteen Leyden jars, each of 1.66 square feet of coating. (See Animal Electricity and Ray, Electric.)

Effect, Counter-inductive. A counter-electro-motive force due to induction, and opposing a current.

Efficiency. The relation of work done to energy absorbed. A theoretically perfect machine would have the maximum efficiency in which the two qualities named would be equal to each other. Expressed by a coefficient, q. v., the efficiency in such case would be equal to 1. If a machine produced but half the work represented by the energy it absorbed, the rest disappearing in wasteful expenditure, in heating the bearings, in overcoming the resistance of the air and in other ways, its efficiency would be expressed by the coefficient 1/2 or .5, or if one hundred was the basis, by fifty per centum. There are a number of kinds of efficiencies of an electric generator which are given below.

Efficiency, Commercial. Practical efficiency of a machine, obtained by dividing the available output of work or energy of a machine by the energy absorbed by the same machine. Thus in a dynamo part of the energy is usefully expended in exciting the field magnet, but this energy is not available for use in the outer circuit, is not a part of the output, and is not part of the dividend.

If M represents the energy absorbed, and W the useful or available energy, the coefficient of commercial efficiency is equal to W/M. M is made up of available, unavailable and wasted (by Foucault currents, etc.,) energy. Calling available energy W, unavailable but utilized energy w, and wasted energy m, the expression for the coefficient of commercial efficiency becomes

W / ( W + w + m )
when M = W + w + m

Synonym--Net efficiency.

205 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Efficiency, Electrical. In a dynamo or generator the relation of total electric energy produced, both wasted and useful or available to the useful or available electrical energy. If we call W the useful electric and w the wasted electric energy, the coefficient of electrical efficiency is equal to

W / ( W + w )

Synonyms--Intrinsic Efficiency--Economic Coefficient--Coefficient of Electrical Efficiency.

Efficiency of Conversion. In a dynamo or generator the relation of energy absorbed to total electric energy produced. Part of the electric energy is expended in producing the field and in other ways. Thus a generator with high efficiency of conversion may be a very poor one, owing to the unavailable electric energy which it produces. The coefficient of Efficiency of Conversion is obtained by dividing the total electric energy produced by the energy absorbed in working the dynamo. If M represents the energy absorbed, or work done in driving the dynamo or generator, W the useful electric, and w the wasted electrical energy, then the coefficient of efficiency of conversion is equal to

(W + w ) / M

In the quantity M are included besides available (W) and unavailable (w) electric energy, the totally wasted energy due to Foucault currents, etc., calling the latter m, the above formula may be given

( W+ w ) / (W + w + m )

This coefficient may refer to the action of a converter, q. v., in the alternating system. Synonym--Gross Efficiency.

Efficiency of Secondary Battery, Quantity. The coefficient obtained by dividing the ampere-hours obtainable from a secondary battery by the ampere hours required to charge it.

Efficiency of Secondary Battery, Real. The coefficient obtained by dividing the energy obtainable from a secondary battery by the energy absorbed in charging it. The energy is conveniently taken in watt-hours and includes the consideration of the spurious voltage. (See Battery, Secondary.)

206 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Efflorescence. The appearance of a dry salt upon the walls of a vessel containing a solution above the normal water-line from evaporation of a liquid. It appears in battery jars and in battery carbons, in the latter interfering with the electrical connections, and oxidizing or rusting them. (See Creeping.)

Effluvium, Electric. When a gas is made to occupy the position of dielectric between two oppositely electrified surfaces a peculiar strain or condition of the dielectric is produced, which promotes chemical change. The condition is termed electrical effluvium or the silent discharge. By an apparatus specially constructed to utilize the condition large amounts of ozone are produced.

Synonym--Silent Discharge.

Elastic Curve. A crude expression for a curve without projections or sudden sinuosities; such a curve as can be obtained by bending an elastic strip of wood.

Electrepeter. An obsolete name for a key, switch or pole changer of any kind.

Elasticity, Electric. The phenomenon of the dielectric is described under this term. When a potential difference is established between two parts of the dielectric, a flow of electricity displacement current starts through the dielectric, which current is due to the electric stress, but is instantly arrested by what has been termed the electric elasticity of the dielectric. This is expressed by ( electric stress ) / ( electric strain ) and in any substance is inversely proportional to the specific inductive capacity.

Electricity. It is impossible in the existing state of human knowledge to give a satisfactory definition of electricity. The views of various authorities are given here to afford a basis for arriving at the general consensus of electricians.

We have as yet no conception of electricity apart from the electrified body; we have no experience of its independent existence. (J. E. H. Gordon.)

What is Electricity? We do not know, and for practical purposes it is not necessary that we should know. (Sydney F. Walker.)

Electricity … is one of those hidden and mysterious powers of nature which has thus become known to us through the medium of effects. (Weale's Dictionary of Terms.)

This word Electricity is used to express more particularly the cause, which even today remains unknown, of the phenomena that we are about to explain. (Amédée Guillemin.)

207 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Electricity is a powerful physical agent which manifests itself mainly by attractions and repulsions, but also by luminous and heating effects, by violent commotions, by chemical decompositions, and many other phenomena. Unlike gravity, it is not inherent in bodies, but it is evoked in them by a variety of causes … (Ganot's Physics.)

Electricity and magnetism are not forms of energy; neither are they forms of matter. They may, perhaps, be provisionally defined as properties or conditions of matter; but whether this matter be the ordinary matter, or whether it be, on the other hand, that all-pervading ether by which ordinary matter is surrounded, is a question which has been under discussion, and which now may be fairly held to be settled in favor of the latter view. (Daniell's Physics.)

The name used in connection with an extensive and important class of phenomena, and usually denoting the unknown cause of the phenomena or the science that treats of them. (Imperial Dictionary.)

Electricity. . . is the imponderable physical agent, cause, force or the molecular movement, by which, under certain conditions, certain phenomena, chiefly those of attraction and repulsion, . . . are produced. (John Angell.)

It has been suggested that if anything can rightly be called "electricity," this must be the ether itself; and that all electrical and magnetic phenomena are simply due to changes, strains and motions in the ether. Perhaps negative electrification. . .means an excess of ether, and positive electrification a defect of ether, as compared with the normal density. (W. Larden.)

Electricity is the name given to the supposed agent producing the described condition (i. e. electrification) of bodies. (Fleeming Jenkin.)

There are certain bodies which, when warm and dry, acquire by friction, the property of attracting feathers, filaments of silk or indeed any light body towards them. This property is called Electricity, and bodies which possess it are said to be electrified. (Linnaeus Cumming.)

What electricity is it is impossible to say, but for the present it is convenient to look upon it as a kind of invisible something which pervades all bodies. (W. Perren Maycock.)

What is electricity? No one knows. It seems to be one manifestation of the energy which fills the universe and which appears in a variety of other forms, such as heat, light, magnetism, chemical affinity, mechanical motion, etc. (Park Benjamin.)

208 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

The theory of electricity adopted throughout these lessons is, that electricity, whatever its true nature, is one, not two; that this Electricity, whatever it may prove to be, is not matter, and is not energy; that it resembles both matter and energy in one respect, however, in that it can neither be created nor destroyed. (Sylvanus P. Thomson.)

In Physics a name denoting the cause of an important class of phenomena of attraction and repulsion, chemical decomposition, etc., or, collectively, these phenomena themselves. (Century Dictionary.)

A power in nature, often styled the electric fluid, exhibiting itself, when in disturbed equilibrium or in activity, by a circuit movement, the fact of direction in which involves polarity, or opposition of properties in opposite directions; also, by attraction for many substances, by a law involving attraction between substances of unlike polarity, and repulsion between those of like; by exhibiting accumulated polar tension when the circuit is broken; and by producing heat, light, concussion, and often chemical changes when the circuit passes between the poles, or through any imperfectly conducting substance or space. It is evolved in any disturbance of molecular equilibrium, whether from a chemical, physical, or mechanical cause. (Webster's Dictionary.)

In point of fact electricity is not a fluid at all, and only in a few of its attributes is it at all comparable to a fluid. Let us rather consider electricity to be a condition into which material substances are thrown. . .(Slingo & Brooker.)

[Transcriber's note: 2008 Dictionary: Phenomena arising from the behavior of electrons and protons caused by the attraction of particles with opposite charges and the repulsion of particles with the same charge.]

Electricity, Cal. The electricity produced in the secondary of a transformer by changes of temperature in the core. This is in addition to the regularly induced current.

Synonym--Acheson Effect.

Electrics. Substances developing electrification by rubbing or friction; as Gilbert, the originator of the term, applied it, it would indicate dielectrics. He did not know that, if insulated, any substance was one of his "electrics." A piece of copper held by a glass handle becomes electrified by friction.

Electrification. The receiving or imparting an electric charge to a surface; a term usually applied to electrostatic phenomena.

Electrization. A term in electro-therapeutics; the subjection of the human system to electric treatment for curative, tonic or diagnostic purposes.

Electro-biology. The science of electricity in its relation to the living organism, whether as electricity is developed by the organism, or as it affects the same when applied from an external source.

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Electro-capillarity. The relations between surface tension, the potential difference and the electrostatic capacity of fluids in contact. Although nominally in contact such surfaces are separated by about one-twenty-millionth of a centimeter (1/50000000 inch) ; thus a globule of mercury and water in which it is immersed constitute an electrostatic accumulator of definite electrostatic capacity. Again the mercury and water being in electric connection differ in potential by contact (see Contact Theory). A definite surface tension is also established. Any change in one of these factors changes the other also. A current passed through the contact surfaces will change the surface tension and hence the shape of the mercury globule. Shaking the globule will change its shape and capacity and produce a current. Heating will do the same. (See Electrometer, Capillary; and Telephone, Capillary.) Mercury and water are named as liquids in which the phenomena are most conveniently observed. They are observable in other parallel cases.

Electro-chemical Equivalent. The quantity of an element or compound liberated from or brought into combination, electrolytically, by one coulomb of electricity. The electro-chemical equivalent of hydrogen is found by experiment to be .0000105 gram. That of any other substance is found by multiplying this weight by its chemical equivalent referred to hydrogen, which is its atomic or molecular weight divided by its valency. Thus the atomic weight of oxygen is 16, its valency is 2, its equivalent is 16/2 = 8; its electro-chemical equivalent is equal to .0000105 X 8 = .000840 gram.

Electro-chemical Series. An arrangement of the elements in the order of their relative electrical affinities so that each element is electro-negative to all the elements following it, and electro-positive to the elements preceding it. The usual series begins with oxygen as the most electro-negative and ends with potassium as the most electro-positive element. There is, of course, no reason why other series of compound radicals, such as sulphion (SO4), etc., should not also be constructed. For each liquid acting on substances a separate series of the substances acted on may be constructed. Thus for dilute sulphuric acid the series beginning with the negatively charged or most attacked one is zinc, amalgamated or pure, cadmium, iron, tin, lead, aluminum, nickel, antimony, bismuth, copper, silver, platinum. In other liquids the series is altogether different.

Electro--chemistry. The branch of electricity or of chemistry treating of the relations between electric and chemical force in different compounds and reactions. (See Electrolysis--Electrochemical series--Electro-chemical Equivalent .)

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Electro-culture. The application of electricity to the cultivation of plants. In one system wires are stretched or carried across the bed under the surface, and some are connected to one pole and others to the other pole of a galvanic battery of two or more elements. In some experiments improved results have thus been obtained.

Another branch refers to the action of the electric arc light on vegetation. This has an effect on vegetation varying in results.

Electrode. (a) The terminal of an open electric circuit.

(b) The terminals of the metallic or solid conductors of an electric circuit, immersed in an electrolytic solution.

(c) The terminals between which a voltaic arc is formed, always in practice made of carbon, are termed electrodes.

(d) In electro-therapeutics many different electrodes are used whose names are generally descriptive of their shape, character, or uses to which they are to be applied. Such are aural electrodes for the ears, and many others.

(e) The plates of a voltaic battery.

Electrode, Indifferent. A term in electro-therapeutics. An electrode to which no therapeutic action is attributed but which merely provides a second contact with the body to complete the circuit through the same. The other electrode is termed the therapeutic electrode.

Electrodes, Erb's Standards of.
Proposed standard sizes for medical electrodes as follows:
Name. Diameter.
Fine Electrode, 1/2 centimeter .2 inch
Small " 2 " .8 "
Medium " 7.5 " 3.0 "
Large " 6X2 " 2.4 X .8 "
Very large " 16x8 " 6.4 x 3.2 "

Electrodes, Non-polarizable. In electro-therapeutics electrodes whose contact surface is virtually porous clay saturated with zinc chloride solution. The series terminate in amalgamated zinc ends, enclosed each in a glass tube, and closed with clay. Contact of metal with the tissues is thus avoided.

Electrode, Therapeutic. A term in electro-therapeutics. An electrode applied to the body for the purpose of inducing therapeutic action, or for giving the basis for an electric diagnosis of the case. The other electrode is applied to complete the circuit only; it is termed the indifferent electrode.

Electro-diagnosis. The study of the condition of a patient by the reactions which occur at the terminals or kathode and anode of an electric circuit applied to the person. The reactions are divided into kathodic and anodic reactions.

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Electro-dynamic. adj. The opposite of electrostatic; a qualification of phenomena due to current electricity.

Synonym--Electro-kinetic.

Electro-dynamic Attraction and Repulsion. The mutual attraction and repulsion exercised by currents of electricity upon each other. The theory of the cause is based upon stress of the luminiferous ether and upon the reaction of lines of force upon each other. For a resumé of the theory see Induction, Electro-magnetic.

Electro-dynamics. The laws of electricity in a state of motion; the inter-reaction of electric currents. It is distinguished from electro-magnetic induction as the latter refers to the production of currents by induction. The general laws of electro-dynamics are stated under Induction, Electro-magnetic, q. v.

Synonym--Electro-kinetics.

Fig. 143. DIAGRAM OF CONNECTIONS OF SIEMENS' ELECTRO-DYNAMOMETER.

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Electro-dynamometer, Siemens'. An apparatus for measuring currents by the reaction between two coils, one fixed and one movable, through which the current to be measured passes. It is one of the oldest commercial ammeters or current measurers. It comprises a fixed coil of a number of convolutions and a movable coil often of only one convolution surrounding the other. The movable coil is suspended by a filament or thread from a spiral spring. The spring is the controlling factor. Connection is established through mercury cups so as to bring the two coils in series. In use the spring and filament are adjusted by turning a milled head to which they are connected until the coils are at right angles. Then the current is turned on and deflects the movable coil. The milled head is turned until the deflection is overcome. The angle through which the head is turned is proportional to the square of the current. The movable coil must in its position at right angles to the fixed one lie at right angles to the magnetic meridian.

Thus in the diagram, Fig. 143 A B C D is the fixed coil; E F G H is the movable coil; S is the spiral spring attached at K to the movable coil. The arrows show the course of the current as it goes through the coils.

Electrolier. A fixture for supporting electric lamps; the analogue in electric lighting of the gasolier or gas chandelier. Often both are combined, the same fixture being piped and carrying gas burners, as well as being wired and carrying electric lamps.

Electrolysis. The separation of a chemical compound into its constituent parts or elements by the action of the electric current. The compound may be decomposed into its elements, as water into hydrogen and oxygen, or into constituent radicals, as sodium sulphate into sodium and sulphion, which by secondary reactions at once give sodium hydrate and sulphuric acid. The decomposition proceeds subject to the laws of electrolysis. (See Electrolysis, Laws of.) For decomposition to be produced there is for each compound a minimum electro-motive force or potential difference required. The current passes through the electrolyte or substance undergoing decomposition entirely by Electrolytic Conduction, q. v. in accordance with Grothüss' Hypothesis, q. v. The electrolyte therefore must be susceptible of diffusion and must be a fluid.

The general theory holds that under the influence of a potential difference between electrodes immersed in an electrolyte, the molecules touching the electrodes are polarized, in the opposite sense for each electrode. If the potential difference is sufficient the molecules will give up one of their binary constituents to the electrode, and the other constituent will decompose the adjoining molecule, and that one being separated into the same two constituents will decompose its neighbor, and so on through the mass until the other electrode is reached. This one separates definitely the second binary constituent from the molecules touching it.

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Thus there is an exact balance preserved. Just as many molecules are decomposed at one electrode as at the other, and the exact chain of decomposition runs through the mass. Each compound electrolyzed develops a binary or two-fold composition, and gives up one constituent to one electrode and the other to the other.

Fig. 144. ACTION OF MOLECULES IN A SOLUTION BEFORE AND DURING ELECTROLYSIS.

The cut shows the assumed polarization of an electrolyte. The upper row shows the molecules in irregular order before any potential difference has been produced, in other words, before the circuit is closed. The next row shows the first effects of closing the circuit, and also indicates the polarization of the mass, when the potential difference is insufficient for decomposition. The third row indicates the decomposition of a chain of molecules, one constituent separating at each pole.

214 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Electrolysis, Laws of. The following are the principal laws, originally discovered by Faraday, and sometimes called Faraday's Laws of Electrolysis:

1. Electrolysis cannot take place unless the electrolyte is a conductor. Conductor here means an electrolytic conductor, one that conducts by its own molecules traveling, and being decomposed. (See Grothüss' Hypothesis.)

II. The energy of the electrolytic action of the current is the same wherever exercised in different parts of the circuit.

III. The same quantity of electricity--that is the same current for the same period----- decomposes chemically equivalent quantities of the bodies it decomposes, or the weights of elements separated in electrolytes by the same quantity of electricity (in coulombs or some equivalent unit) are to each other as their chemical equivalent.

IV. The quantity of a body decomposed in a given time is proportional to the strength of the current.

To these may be added the following:

V. A definite and fixed electro-motive force is required for the decomposition of each compound, greater for some and less for others. Without sufficient electro-motive force expended on the molecule no decomposition will take place. (See Current, Convective.)

Electrolyte. A body susceptible of decomposition by the electric current, and capable of electrolytic conduction. It must be a fluid body and therefore capable of diffusion, and composite in composition. An elemental body cannot be an electrolyte.

Electrolytic Analysis. Chemical analysis by electrolysis. The quantitative separation of a number of metals can be very effectively executed. Thus, suppose that a solution of copper sulphate was to be analyzed. A measured portion of the solution would be introduced into a weighed platinum vessel. The vessel would be connected to the zinc plate terminal of a battery. From the other terminal of the battery a wire would be brought and would terminate in a plate of platinum. This would be immersed in the solution in the vessel. As the current would pass the copper sulphate would be decomposed and eventually all the copper would be deposited in a firm coating on the platinum. The next operations would be to wash the metal with distilled water, and eventually with alcohol, to dry and to weigh the dish with the adherent copper. On subtracting the weight of the dish alone from the weight of the dish and copper, the weight of the metallic copper in the solution would be obtained.

In similar ways many other determinations are effected. The processes of analysis include solution of the ores or other substances to be analyzed and their conversion into proper form for electrolysis. Copper as just described can be precipitated from the solution of its sulphate. For iron and many other metals solutions of their double alkaline oxalates are especially available forms for analysis.

The entire subject has been worked out in considerable detail by Classen, to whose works reference should be made for details of processes.

Electrolytic Convection. It is sometimes observed that a single cell of Daniell battery, for instance, or other source of electric current establishing too low a potential difference for the decomposition of water seems to produce a feeble but continuous decomposition. This is very unsatisfactorily accounted for by the hydrogen as liberated combining with dissolved oxygen. (Ganot.) The whole matter is obscure. (See Current, Convection.)

215 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Electrolytic Conduction. Conduction by the travel of atoms or radicals from molecule to molecule of a substance with eventual setting free at the electrodes of the atoms or radicals as elementary molecules or constituent radicals. A substance to be capable of acting as an electrolytic conductor must be capable of diffusion, and must also have electrolytic conductivity. Such a body is called an electrolyte. (See Grothüss' Hypothesis--Electrolysis-- Electrolysis, Laws of--Electro-chemical Equivalent.)

Electro-magnet. A mass, in practice always of iron, around which an electric circuit is carried, insulated from the iron. When a current is passed through the circuit the iron presents the characteristics of a magnet. (See Magnetism, Ampére's Theory of--Solenoid--Lines of Force.) In general terms the action of a circular current is to establish lines of force that run through the axis of the circuit approximately parallel thereto, and curving out of and over the circuit, return into themselves outside of the circuit. If a mass of iron is inserted in the axis or elsewhere near such current, it multiplies within itself the lines of force, q. v. (See also Magnetic Permeability--Permeance--Magnetic Induction, Coefficient of Magnetic Susceptibility--Magnetization, Coefficient of Induced.) These lines of force make it a magnet. On their direction, which again depends on the direction of the magnetizing current, depends the polarity of the iron. The strength of an electro-magnet, below saturation of the core (see Magnetic Saturation), is proportional nearly to the ampere-turns, q. v. More turns for the same current or more current for the same turns increase its strength.

In the cut is shown the general relation of current, coils, core and line of force. Assume that the magnet is looked at endwise, the observer facing one of the poles; then if the current goes around the core in the direction opposite to that of the hands of a clock, such pole will be the north pole. If the current is in the direction of the hands of a clock the pole facing the observer will be the south pole. The whole relation is exactly that of the theoretical Ampérian currents, already explained. The direction and course of the lines of force created are shown in the cut.

The shapes of electro-magnets vary greatly. The cuts show several forms of electro-magnets. A more usual form is the horseshoe or double limb magnet, consisting generally of two straight cores, wound with wire and connected and held parallel to each other by a bar across one end, which bar is called the yoke.

In winding such a magnet the wire coils must conform, as regards direction of the current in them to the rule for polarity already cited. If both poles are north or both are south poles, then the magnet cannot be termed a horseshoe magnet, but is merely an anomalous magnet. In the field magnets of dynamos the most varied types of electro-magnets have been used. Consequent poles are often produced in them by the direction of the windings and connections.

To obtain the most powerful magnet the iron core should be as short and thick as possible in order to diminish the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. To obtain a greater range of action a long thin shape is better, although it involves waste of energy in its excitation.

216 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Fig. 145 DIAGRAM OF AN ELECTRO-MAGNET SHOWING RELATION OF CURRENT AND WINDING TO ITS POLARITY AND LINES OF FORCE.

Fig. 146. ANNULAR ELECTRO-MAGNET

Electro-magnet, Annular. An electro-magnet consisting of a cylinder with a circular groove cut in its face, in which groove a coil of insulated wire is placed. On the passage of a current the iron becomes polarized and attracts an armature towards or against its grooved face. The cut shows the construction of an experimental one. It is in practice applied to brakes and clutches. In the cut of the electro-magnetic brake (see Brake, Electro-magnetic), C is the annular magnet receiving its current through the brushes, and pressed when braking action is required against the face of the moving wheel. The same arrangement, it can be seen, may apply to a clutch.

217 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.

Fig. 147. BAR ELECTRO-MAGNET.