ClipArt ETC

This science ClipArt gallery offers 245 illustrations of basic concepts, experiments, apparatus, and systems proving properties and concepts in electricity.

"Faraday used in his experiments two identical pieces of apparatus, which were vertually two spherical Leyden jars. The outer coating EF was divided into two hemispheres, which could be fitted together airtight. The lower hemisphere F was fitted to a perforated stem, provided with a stop-cock G, so that it could be screwed to an airpump while the apparatus was being exhausted, and afterwards screwed into a foot H. The upper hemisphere was pierced by a tube, into which was cemented a shellac plug B. C is a metal wire passing down through B, which supports the hollow metal sphere D, forming the inside armature, and carries the metal ball A, by means of which D can be charged and discharged." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Faraday Experiment

"Faraday used in his experiments two identical pieces of apparatus, which were vertually two spherical…

"Faraday's ice pail experiment. An ice pail P connected with gold leaves of an electroscope C, is placed on an insulating stand S. A charged conductor K, carried by a silk thread, is lowered into the pail, and finally touches it at the bottom. While it is being lowered the leaves of the electroscope diverge farther and farther, until K is well within the pail, after which they diverge no more, even when K touches the pail or is afterwards withdrawn by the insulation thread. After withdrawal, K is found to be completely discharged." -Hawkins, 1917

Faraday's Ice Pail Experiment

"Faraday's ice pail experiment. An ice pail P connected with gold leaves of an electroscope C, is placed…

Wire inside an incandescent light bulb that produces light.

Lighting Filament

Wire inside an incandescent light bulb that produces light.

An illustration of the foster method, used to measure electric current.

Foster's Method

An illustration of the foster method, used to measure electric current.

"Partial sketch of a four pole machine laid on its side." -Hawkins, 1917

Four Pole Machine

"Partial sketch of a four pole machine laid on its side." -Hawkins, 1917

"Machines of this kind may be constructed with as many pairs of plaes, combs, and brushes as can be conveniently combined together; four-plate machines being common, in which the relative positions of each pair of plates are reversed, as shown..." -Atkinson 1903

Four-Plate Machine

"Machines of this kind may be constructed with as many pairs of plaes, combs, and brushes as can be…

Franklin experimenting with electricity.

Franklin

Franklin experimenting with electricity.

Now known as electrostatic generators, the Frictional electric machine produces static electricity at high voltage. "A, glass plate; B, rubber, holding amalgam; C, collecting points; D, prime conductor." -Whitney, 1911

Frictional Electric Machine

Now known as electrostatic generators, the Frictional electric machine produces static electricity at…

"Galvani found that whenever the nerves of a frog's leg were touched by one metal and the muscles by another, convulsions took place on bringing the two different metals in contact." —Wells, 1857

Frog Experiment

"Galvani found that whenever the nerves of a frog's leg were touched by one metal and the muscles by…

A funnel-shaped piece of brass is placed over the ends of a galvanometer when the resistance is equal to that of the pile. This acts as a preservative for the junctions from the heat radiated by the surrounding objects.

Funnel-shaped Brass

A funnel-shaped piece of brass is placed over the ends of a galvanometer when the resistance is equal…

A galvanometer is a type of ammeter; an instrument for detecting and measuring electric current. It is an analog electromechanical transducer that produces a rotary deflection, through a limited arc, in response to electric current flowing through its coil. The term has been expanded to include uses of the same mechanism in recording, positioning, and servomechanism equipment.

Galvanometer

A galvanometer is a type of ammeter; an instrument for detecting and measuring electric current. It…

"The galvanometer is an instrument for determining the strength of an electric current by means of the deflection of a magnetic needle around which the current flows. When a galvanoscope is provided with a scale so that the deflections of its needle may be measured, it becomes a galvanometer." — Avery, 1895

Astatic galvanometer

"The galvanometer is an instrument for determining the strength of an electric current by means of the…

"Astatic galvanometer, an instrument which consists of a pair of similar needles magnetized, with their poles turned opposite ways, and stiffly connected at their centers, so that both will swing together." -Whitney, 1911

Astatic Galvanometer

"Astatic galvanometer, an instrument which consists of a pair of similar needles magnetized, with their…

"The galvanometer consists of two distinct coils of wire, each having the same resistance, and having equal magnetic effects upon the needle. These coils C and C' are wound in opposite directions, as shown, and one end of each is joined to the same terminal on the frame of the galvanometer; the other ends are joined to separate terminals also situated on the frame." (Britannica, 1891)

Differential Galvanometer

"The galvanometer consists of two distinct coils of wire, each having the same resistance, and having…

"The galvanometer is an instrument for determining the strength of an electric current by means of the deflection of a magnetic needle around which the current flows. When a galvanoscope is provided with a scale so that the deflections of its needle may be measured, it becomes a galvanometer." — Avery, 1895

Tangent galvanometer

"The galvanometer is an instrument for determining the strength of an electric current by means of the…

"Secure the two ends of the wire by double-pointed tacks. Place a small pocket compass upon the block thus wound, and turn the block until the coils of wire are parallel to the needle when the circuit is open. Then pass a current through the coil. The deflection of the needle is much stronger than before, although, owing to the weakening of the cell, the deflection falls off after a time." — Avery, 1895

Galvanoscope

"Secure the two ends of the wire by double-pointed tacks. Place a small pocket compass upon the block…

"Apparatus used to detect current and its direction." -Avery 1895

Galvanoscope

"Apparatus used to detect current and its direction." -Avery 1895

A galvanoscope in a circuit.

Galvanoscope in circuit

A galvanoscope in a circuit.

Galvanometer designed by Professor Maxwell.

Galvonometer

Galvanometer designed by Professor Maxwell.

An illustration of an idiostatic gauge which determines the charge in the condenser.

Idiostatic Gauge

An illustration of an idiostatic gauge which determines the charge in the condenser.

"Illustration showing the path of leakage current caused by ground due to damp insulation." —Croft 1920

Current Leakage Around Generator

"Illustration showing the path of leakage current caused by ground due to damp insulation." —Croft…

"Illustration showing current leakage through the rame of a machine which is insulated from the ground." —Croft 1920

Current Leakage Around Generator

"Illustration showing current leakage through the rame of a machine which is insulated from the ground."…

"Method of drying out a generator by short-circuiting the armature leads through a water rheostat." —Croft 1920

Method For Drying Out a Generator

"Method of drying out a generator by short-circuiting the armature leads through a water rheostat."…

"Cut-out ground detector using lamps for a three wire circuit." —Croft 1920

Cutout Ground Detector for Three Wire Circuit

"Cut-out ground detector using lamps for a three wire circuit." —Croft 1920

"Lamp ground detector for a three-wire circuit." —Croft 1920

Ground Detector for Three-Wire Circuit

"Lamp ground detector for a three-wire circuit." —Croft 1920

"Lamp ground detector for a two-wire circuit." —Croft 1920

Ground Detector for Two-Wire Circuit

"Lamp ground detector for a two-wire circuit." —Croft 1920

"Illustration shows a voltmeter ground detector." —Croft 1920

Voltmeter Ground Detector

"Illustration shows a voltmeter ground detector." —Croft 1920

"The electrometer of Henley, sometimes called Henley's quadrant Henley electrometer, may be taken as the type of single pendulum electroscopes. It consists essentially of a pendulum A hinged to meter a verticle support C, which carries a vertical graduated semicircle B, by means of which the deviation of A from the vertical can be indicating the state of electrification of the prime conductors of electric machines. The stem is screwed into the conductor, and the divergence of the pendulum indicated roughly the charge." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Henleys Electrometer

"The electrometer of Henley, sometimes called Henley's quadrant Henley electrometer, may be taken as…

"Edison's first incandescent platinum lamp."—E. Benjamin Andrews 1895

Incandescent Lamp

"Edison's first incandescent platinum lamp."—E. Benjamin Andrews 1895

"Experiment illustrating the nature of an induced charge. The apparatus consists of a metal ball and cylinder, both mounted on insulated stands, pith balls being placed on the cylinder at points C, D and E." -Hawkins, 1917

Induced Charge

"Experiment illustrating the nature of an induced charge. The apparatus consists of a metal ball and…

"The induction coil is...often called the Rhumkorff coil. Receiving a large current of small electromotive force, it delievers a small current at a high pressure, sometimes hundreds of thousands of volts, i.e., it is a 'step up' transformer." -Avery 1895

Induction Coil

"The induction coil is...often called the Rhumkorff coil. Receiving a large current of small electromotive…

"The induction coil is...often called the Rhumkorff coil. Receiving a large current of small electromotive force, it delievers a small current at a high pressure, sometimes hundreds of thousands of volts, i.e., it is a 'step up' transformer." -Avery 1895

Induction Coil

"The induction coil is...often called the Rhumkorff coil. Receiving a large current of small electromotive…

"Experiment to illustrate electrostatic induction. The leaves will diverge, ever though the charged ebonite rod does not approach to within a foot of the electroscope." -Hawkins, 1917

Electrostatic Induction

"Experiment to illustrate electrostatic induction. The leaves will diverge, ever though the charged…

"Bring a metallic sphere postively charged near an insulated cylindrical conductor with hemispherical ends and provided with pith-ball and lined thread electroscopes as shown. The divergence of the pith-balls shown electrification at the ends but not at the middle of the conductor." -Avery 1895

Electrostatic Induction

"Bring a metallic sphere postively charged near an insulated cylindrical conductor with hemispherical…

"Suspend two egg-shell conductors as shown. Be sure that the shells are in contact. Bring an electrified glass rod near one of them, and slide one of the loops along the supporting rod until the shells are about 10 cm. apart. Hold the electrified rod between the shells. It will attract one and repel the other, showing that thye are oppositely electrified." -Avery 1895

Electrostatic Induction

"Suspend two egg-shell conductors as shown. Be sure that the shells are in contact. Bring an electrified…

"Machine used to generate electricity by induction using transformed kinetic energy from the crank." -Avery 1895

Induction Machine

"Machine used to generate electricity by induction using transformed kinetic energy from the crank."…

This is the instrument used for measuring the electrical potential difference between two points in an electric circuit.

Instrument for Testing Batteries

This is the instrument used for measuring the electrical potential difference between two points in…

"Illustrating method of measuring insulation resistance." —Croft 1920

Measuring Insulation Resistance

"Illustrating method of measuring insulation resistance." —Croft 1920

"Testing the insulation resistance of an armature." —Croft 1920

Measure Armature Insulation Resistance

"Testing the insulation resistance of an armature." —Croft 1920

"Testing the insulation resistance of a motor or generator from its winding to ground." —Croft 1920

Measure Insulation Resistance of Motor

"Testing the insulation resistance of a motor or generator from its winding to ground." —Croft…

"The most common and, for many purposes, the most convenient form of condenser is the Leyden jar. This consists of a glass jar, coated within and without for about two-thirds its height with tinfoil, and a metallic rod that communicates by means of a small chain with the inner coat, and terminates above in a knob or a disk." — Avery, 1895

Leyden Jar

"The most common and, for many purposes, the most convenient form of condenser is the Leyden jar. This…

"Diagram of battery and coil connections for jump spark iginition as applied to a motor cycle." — Hawkins, 1917

Jump start ignition

"Diagram of battery and coil connections for jump spark iginition as applied to a motor cycle." —…

"The connexions of all these six coils are such that when a current is passed through the whole of the coils in series, forces of attraction and repulsion are brought into existence which tend to force one movable coil upwards and the other movable coil downwards." —Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Connexions of Kelvin Ampere Balance

"The connexions of all these six coils are such that when a current is passed through the whole of the…

A device for connecting wires from a battery.

Du Bois-Reymond's Key

A device for connecting wires from a battery.

A key used to connect wires from a battery using mercury.

Mercury Key

A key used to connect wires from a battery using mercury.

"D is a Leyden jar, fastened to a stand in such a way that its outer armature can be insulated or connected to earth at will. The inner armature is in good metallic connection with the knob C. A horizontal metal piece A is mounted on a glass pillar, and carries another knob, which can be set at any required distance from C by means of a screw and graduation. The piece A is connected with the outer armature of the jar by a thin wire B contained in a glass tube." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Lanes Jar

"D is a Leyden jar, fastened to a stand in such a way that its outer armature can be insulated or connected…

"The Leyden jar and discharger. Its discovery is attributed to the attempt of Musschenbrock and his pupil Cuneus to collect the supposed electric 'fluid' in a bottle half filled with water. The bottle was held in the hand and was povided with a nail to lead the 'fluid' down through the cork to the water from the electric machine. The invention of the Leyden jar is also claimed by Kleist, Bishop of Pomerania." -Hawkins, 1917

Leyden Jar

"The Leyden jar and discharger. Its discovery is attributed to the attempt of Musschenbrock and his…

"...consists of a glass jar coated inside and outside with tinfoil, or some other thin sheet metal, except three or four inches at top, lef uncoated for insulation between the coated surfaces. This jar is closed with an insulating cover, through which a brass rod extends to the inside coating, and terminates above in a ball." -Atkinson 1903

Leyden Jar

"...consists of a glass jar coated inside and outside with tinfoil, or some other thin sheet metal,…

A leyden jar.

Leyden Jar

A leyden jar.

"Then connect a Leyden jar to the terminals, as shown." -Avery 1895

Leyden Jar Connected to Terminals

"Then connect a Leyden jar to the terminals, as shown." -Avery 1895

"The most common and, for many purposes, the most convenient form of condenser is the Leyden jar. This consists of a glass jar, coated within and without for about two-thirds its height with tinfoil, and a metallic rod that communicates by means of a small chain with the inner coat, and terminates above in a knob or a disk." — Avery, 1895

Diagram of a Leyden jar

"The most common and, for many purposes, the most convenient form of condenser is the Leyden jar. This…

An illustration of the loss of charge method.

Loss of Charge Method

An illustration of the loss of charge method.

"The essential parts of an ordinary Wimshurst machine, are two ordinary drums. On each plate are fixed a large number of strips of conducting material which are equal in size and are equally spaced, radially if on a plate, and circumferentially if on a drum." — Hawkins, 1917

Wimshurst Electric Machine

"The essential parts of an ordinary Wimshurst machine, are two ordinary drums. On each plate are fixed…

"Salient pole, bipolar field magnet with single coil wound around the yoke." — Hawkins, 1917

Bipolar field magnet

"Salient pole, bipolar field magnet with single coil wound around the yoke." — Hawkins, 1917

"Consequent pole bipolar field magnet with two coils on the core." — Hawkins, 1917

Bipolar field magnet

"Consequent pole bipolar field magnet with two coils on the core." — Hawkins, 1917

"Modern dynamo with four consequent pole field magnets. In this construction the ring shaped yoke also serves as a frame; the circular form of yoke gives the least chance of magnetic leakage." — Hawkins, 1917

Multi-polar field magnet

"Modern dynamo with four consequent pole field magnets. In this construction the ring shaped yoke also…

"The polarity of the solenoidal magnet may be determined by holding it in the right hand so that the fingers point in the direction of the current; then the extended thumb will point toward the marked or north-seeking pole of the magnet." — Avery, 1895

Solenoidal magnet

"The polarity of the solenoidal magnet may be determined by holding it in the right hand so that the…

"In a magneto the field magnets are permanently magnetized. The strength of the magnet field of a magneto is constant while that of a dynamo varies with the output." — Hawkins, 1917

Magneto

"In a magneto the field magnets are permanently magnetized. The strength of the magnet field of a magneto…

An electric meter reading 9,995 kilowatt hours.

Meter

An electric meter reading 9,995 kilowatt hours.

An electric meter reading 10,928 multiplied by 10, equals 109,280 kilowatt hours.

Meter

An electric meter reading 10,928 multiplied by 10, equals 109,280 kilowatt hours.