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History of electric light

Chapter 43: SERIES INCANDESCENT LAMPS ON CONSTANT CURRENT TRANSFORMERS
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About This Book

A chronological, technical survey of electric lighting traces developments from early experiments with friction machines, Leyden jars and voltaic piles through advances in batteries, electromagnetic discoveries and the invention of the dynamo. It follows the parallel evolution of arc and incandescent illumination, outlining experimental filament and arc-control methods and the move to commercial installations and distribution schemes such as series, multiple and three‑wire systems. Later sections review later lamp technologies—Nernst, mercury‑vapor, gas‑filled and tungsten types—together with transformers, rectifiers, standardized voltages and sockets. The book is illustrated and includes a chronology, cost and usage statistics, and a selected bibliography.

SERIES INCANDESCENT LAMPS ON CONSTANT CURRENT TRANSFORMERS

Series incandescent lamps were made for use on constant current transformers superseding the “Municipal” and “Shunt Box” systems. The large Edison, now called the Mogul Screw base, was adopted and the short circuiting film cut-out was removed from the base and placed between prongs attached to the socket.

Holder.
Socket.
Holder and socket.

Series Incandescent Lamp Socket with Film Cutout, 1900.

The “Large Edison,” now called Mogul Screw, base was standardized and the short circuiting device put on the socket terminals.

The transformers made for the two sizes of arc lamps, produced 6.6 and 7.5 amperes and incandescent lamps, in various sizes from 16 to 50 cp, were made for these currents so that the incandescent lamps could be operated on the same circuit with the arc lamps. The carbon series incandescent lamp, however, was more efficient if made for lower currents, so 3½-, 4- and 5½-ampere constant current transformers were made for incandescent lamps designed for these amperes. Later, however, with the advent of the tungsten filament, the 6.6-ampere series tungsten lamp was made the standard, as it was slightly more efficient than the lower current lamps, and was made in sizes from 32 to 400 cp. When the more efficient gas-filled tungsten lamps were developed, the sizes were further increased; the standard 6.6-ampere lamps now made are from 60 to 2500 cp.