Re: ELECTRO-CHEMICAL ELAPSED TIME INDICATORS

Dec 14, 2024 Last reply: 1 year ago 2 Replies


There was a question (from Larkin?) on non-electronic time delay


>components, and I recalled such a thing from the 1970s, when I
>considered using it to sequence an electromechanical gadget. Turned
>out to bet too complicated in that application, and went to a CMOS >counter.
>
>Anyway, the name came to me today, and it is still made.
>
>Curtis coulometers are analog Elapsed Time Indicators (ETIs) which use
>an electro-chemical plating process to integrate current over time. >
>.
formatting link

>
>.
formatting link
>
>This uses mercury, but if I recall correctly, the 1970s original used
>silver. I think it was called a coulcell. The original company seems >to be gone.
>
>Joe Gwinn

The first residential electric meters, in the Edison DC days, were electrochemical. I think they weighed something to set the bill.

I do recall reading of that. Weighing was used, as I recall as well.

Joe

formatting link

1882 - Edison's first electric company

Edison starts up his first electric company for incandescent illumination. Initially he started out with a per-lamp rate. This was unsatisfactory so he developed a chemical ampere-hour meter that consisted of a jar holding two zinc plates connected across a shunt in the customer's circuit. Each month the electrodes were weighed and the customer's bill determined from the change in their weight. This meter was inefficient and error-prone. Edison did also develop a motor-type meter but preferred the chemical meter because of his interest in chemistry.

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required