Thomson CB-5 DC test meter

Thomson CB-5 DC test meter c. 1914

General Electric Company (New York, USA)

Registration number

1916142

Artist/maker

General Electric Company (New York, USA)

Title

Thomson CB-5 DC test meter

Production date

c. 1914

Credit line

City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

General Electric Company, Thomson CB-5 test meter, power consumption

Summary

This Thomson CB-5 direct current test meter dates from around 1914 and could be used to test the expected power consumption of a motor or other appliance. Knowing the exact power consumption to expect from consumers was important financial information for electricity suppliers in the early 20th century. This was particularly so for the Melbourne City Council’s direct current system in the CBD, which was already obsolete by the mid-1910s and needed to be carefully managed to avoid unnecessary investment.