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History of Science Museum

Kelvin Current Balance, by James White, Glasgow, c. 1885

Inventory Number 61575


Item type
Object
Provenance
Presented by the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
Primary inscriptions
Signed: "LORD KELVIN'S PATENT/ELECTRIC/318/BALANCE/J. WHITE, GLASGOW"
Object type
Balance
Inventory No
61575

Description

The kelvin current balance is used for the accurate measurement of amperes. The current is measured by passing it through two coils of wire, one of which is attached to an arm of a scale. The strength of current is determined by the magnetic force needed to keep the scale equal.