LXVI.The wave form of the current in an electrically maintained tuning-fork circuit
V. H. L. Searle · The London Edinburgh and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science · 1926
Summary 1. (i.) Records of the current formin electrically maintained fork circuits were obtained by means of the Duddell oscillograph, and it was found that the “solid contact” means of maintenance acts irregularly. The “mercury-platinum” break—in which a platinum wire fixed to the fork prong dips into, and out from, a mercury surface—however, is very regular and extremely easy to work.2. (ii.) Capacity across the spark-gap reduces the current amplitude and affects the shape of the current curve. Inductance does not affect the wave form, but renders maintenance more difficult.3. (iii.) By means of a Fourier analysis of the curve and measurement of the constants o[ the circuit, the variation of mercury arc resistance with time and with arc length has been investigated.4. (iv.) The general deductions from (iii.) above are verified by a combined current and potential oscillogram.