Large Antique American Industrial Weston Electrical Ammeter Ornate Meter 8 5/8”

Description

Large Antique American Industrial Weston Electrical Ammeter Ornate Meter 8 5/8” Wide Railway
For sale is a gorgeous, ornate 19th/early 20th century Antique American Industrial cast iron surface mount commercial building sub-basement switchboard ammeter with an encased gauge, patented and fabricated by the Weston Electrical Instrument Company, Newark, New Jersey. This amazing piece is equipped with the positive and negative terminals and the original clear glass panel that serves to protect the pointer and painted metal scale. The ornate faceplate is in great Antique condition with the expected wear for its age including some oxidation and wear to the surface finish. Please note that there is also a small piece of glass missing in the lower left corner of the face which in now way affects the integrity of the piece. This fantastic Ammeter measures 8 5/8” in diameter and 4 3/8” deep (7” including the two metal posts). Please examine all photos carefully prior to purchase. The piece will be professionally packed and shipped.
About the Weston Electrical Instrument Company
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Edward Weston (May 9, 1850 – August 20, 1936) was an English-born American chemist noted for his achievements in electroplating and his development of the electrochemical cell, named the Weston cell, for the voltage standard. Weston was a competitor of Thomas Edison in the early days of electricity generation and distribution and is best known for his designs and the manufacturing of precision electrical measuring instruments for laboratories and industry. He formed The Weston Electrical Instrument Company and developed an instrument to accurately measure current. From there, Weston Electrical Instruments went on to manufacture precision voltmeters, ammeters, watt meters, light meters, and many other instruments for laboratory, industrial, and commercial use.
Early Weston Industrial Ammeters from the 1800s
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Weston produced a large number of panel meters through the years. The most popular of these are the large ornate industrial meters from the late 1800s. At seven inches or larger in diameter these ammeters were used in factories, in power plants, railways and on board ships. Many will have a plate in the middle of the face listing several patent dates and will usually have large threaded posts or copper blades protruding from the back for connection to an electrical system. The Weston Ammeter is a "moving iron" type, which uses a piece of iron that moves when acted upon by the electromagnetic force of a fixed coil of wire (mounted behind the detachable faceplate). The iron element generally consists of a moving vane attached to pointer and fixed vane surrounded by the coil. Highly Sought after by collectors as impressive display items, these early large panel meters remain highly collectible, particularly those with elaborate faceplate designs. Later meters of this size, manufactured in the early 1900s can be found with much planer faces.