Trafford Publishing: A Guide to Electrical Horology

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A Guide to Electrical Horology

by Martin Swetsky FNAWCC

162 pages; Black coil; catalogue #03-0790; ISBN 1-4120-0421-7; US$39.99, C$52.99, EUR34.50, £23.90

Learn what makes electrical clocks tick. Includes repair instructions from a recognized expert to help you transform your mess of wire coils and contacts into a functional and interesting clock.

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about the book praise for A Guide to Electrical Horology about the author table of contents and sample excerpts catalogue info

About the Book

An electrical shock, as the name implies, involves the use of electricity in some fashion, but in what manner? An electrical motor connected to the power lines, perhaps? How about an electromagnet reacting with a permanent magnet to utilize the forces of attraction and repulsion to provide the driving force? And what of the use of a solenoid or electromagnet to lift a weight or to wind a spring? All of these are, unquestionably, descriptions of the uses of electricity to provide motive power for clock operation. A need then exists, to eliminate confusion and further define the function of electricity as applied to clocks.
The objectives of this publication are to offer an overview of the early research and developments which formed the foundation for practical electrical horology. Also included is a section covering technical information and repair with an emphasis on early battery operated clocks. The final segment contains needed references and a bibliography for sources of additional detail.

Praise for A Guide to Electrical Horology
"Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in electro-mechanical and battery clocks. Many repair and how to books have been written about weight and spring clocks, but until now there has been nothing of a similar nature in the field of electrical horology. Martin Swetsky, a noted authority in the field, has written a complete, step by step description of the operation and repair of some of the currently available electrical clocks. He takes you from electrical theory to the repairs necessary to transform your mess of wires and contacts into a functional, interesting clock. By the time you have finished the clear instructions, you will not only have made your clock work, but understand why it does so. As the first book of its kind, this book fills a sorely needed place in the science of horology. Enjoy this book for what it is--a valuable asset in this field, and as a memoriam to one of the finest minds of our generation.
Harvey Schmidt FNAWCC

About the Author

In 1952 Martin Swetsky started his career by achieving membership in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). From 1950 through 1970 he owned and operated a facility for hi-fidelity equipment as he became authorized by more than 60 of the top manufacturers.
He was a part owner responsible for System design and process controls in a CRT manufacturer from 1970 until 1974. By then he enjoyed an advanced electronic foundation and continued to further his knowledge. He became interested in clock collecting as well as restoration and in 1977 he joined the National Association fo Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC).
He was a part of the growing electronics industry as he owned and operated a Wholesale Electronics Component Distributing business. he was intrigued like most people as he watched and learned while the semiconductor industry revolutionized the world.
In 1983 he was elected president of The Electrical Horology Society, Chapter #78 of the NAWCC. He helped people in the NAWCC as often as possible and lectured at meetings across the USA on several occasions. His desire to share his enjoyment of was noticed by his peers of the NAWCC and he was elected President of the Brooklyn, NY Chapter #114 in 1986.
Marty was appointed a Fellow of the NAWCC (their highest honor( in 1987. His love for his hobby drove him as he created innovative electronic tools for use in electronic and mechanical adjustment, diagnosis and repairs. He supplied them or made customized units on request. He was enjoying the role as a guide and continued to work at spreading the knowledge and enthusiasm about the history and workings of antique electrical horology and was elected President of the New York Chapter #2 in 1989.
For many years Martin Swetsky answered many letters to the NAWCC magazine asking for historical information, direction to references and tips on repairs of these electrical wonders. In 1997 he retired to enjoy the association with his fellow clock experts and collectors as well as to complete this publication which he hoped would continue his efforts.

Table of Contents and Sample Excerpts

A GUIDE TO ELECTRICAL HOROLOGY
FORWARD
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
IN MEMORY
Table Of Contents
INTRODUCTION: ELECTRIC CLOCKS, FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
CHAPTER 1: CHRONOLOGY, ELECTRICITY & CLOCKS
1790-1895
1900-1960
CHAPTER 2: POWER SOURCES, CELLS & BATTERIES
EARTH CELLS
CHAPTER 3: ELECTRIC CLOCKS
CHAPTER 4: ELECTROMAGNETIC CLOCKS
CHAPTER 5: ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS
CHAPTER 6: TORSION PENDULUM CLOCKS
CHAPTER 7: REPAIRS & ADJUSTMENTS
SECTION 1: TIFFANY NEVER-WIND
SECTION 2: POOLE & BARR
SECTION 3: BULLE
SECTION 4: EUREKA
SECTION 5: SYNCHRONOME
SECTION 6: SELF-WINDING SECTION 7: AMERICAN CLOCK COMPANY (OF CHICAGO)
SECTION 8: STANDARD ELECTRIC
SECTION 9: ATO CLOCKS (FRENCH, mfd by LEON HATOT)
SECTION 10: ATO TYPE CLOCKS (JUNGHANS, KUNDO & SCHATZ)
SECTION 11: SEMPIRE CLOCK COMPANY
SECTION 12: IMPERIAL CLOCK CO.
NO KEY CLOCK CO.
SECTION 14: BRILLIE FRERES (Brillie Bros.)
SECTION 15: GENTS' PUL-SYN-ETIC
SECTION 16: FRED FRICK CLOCK COMPANY
SECTION 16: The Hipp Toggle
CHAPTER 8
CONTACTS
CHAPTER 9: ARC SUPPRESSION
CHAPTER 10: POWER SUPPLIES & VOLTAGE SOURCES
VOLTAGE
VOLTAGE REGULATOR
CHAPTER 11: BIBLIOGRAPHY, REFERENCES
METRIC & ENGLISH MEASUREMENTS
MATERIAL SOURCES
COPPER WIRE RESISTANCE
ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (ELECTRODE POTENTIAL) SERIES
CLOCK GEARING
PENDULUM LENGTH REQUIRED FOR VARIOUS BEATS
ELECTRICAL WORK
CHARACTERISTICS OF MATERIALS USED IN
CLOCK & WATCH CASES & CLOCK ORNAMENTS
CHAPTER 12: CHRONOLOGY OF U.S. ELECTRIC CLOCK PATENTS, 1852‹1900

INTRODUCTION: ELECTRIC CLOCKS, FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
The expression "Electric Clock" has never been fully and accurately defined... Each instance of the use of that term seems to ascribe a slightly different connotation and this author will take similar license with the following version.
An electric clock, as the name implies, involves the use of electricity in some fashion, but in what manner? An electric motor connected to the power lines, perhaps? How about an electromagnet reacting with a permanent magnet to utilize the forces of attraction and repulsion to provide the driving force? And what of the use of a solenoid or electromagnet to lift a weight or to wind a spring? All of these are, unquestionably, descriptions of the uses of electricity to provide motive power for clock operation. A need then exists, to eliminate confusion and further define the function of electricity as applied to clocks.
A clock powered by an electric motor should rightfully be termed an Electric Clock, just as a light bulb in a lamp is called an electric light. I believe that this description should hold for any AC line powered clock, especially in the case of synchronous motor types. There will exist exceptions to this rule, whereby the application of power line electricity will be employed for purposes other than the operation of a synchronous motor, but these instances should not change the designation, ELECTRIC CLOCK.
Quartz crystal-controlled clocks should have their own distinct category, since the basic premise for operation in this group is purely electronic, with electronic circuitry replacing the mechanical elements found in conventional timekeepers, hence the simple portrayal; QUARTZ CLOCKS.
These clocks merit coverage in material targeted specifically to those electronic technicians able to comprehend their theoretical complexities, and is beyond the scope of this publication.
Clocks which are spring or weight-driven that utilize electricity to raise a weight or rewind a spring, are basically mechanical clocks employing electricity to perform the work that was previously accomplished manually. Many varieties of this class of clock exist, and it may be difficult to immediately define the appropriate category, but careful examination will usually provide the solution; ELECTROMECHANICAL.
ITR's classic weight-driven type-S. followed by IBM's models 35 & 37, with an AC operated gearhead motor for periodic weight rewinding is an example of this class of electric clock. Since the electric motor serves no time-keeping function, but is used only for the rewinding of the weight(s), it becomes apparent that it rightfully falls into this category.
An additional class exists in which an electromagnet interacts with a permanent magnet furnishing the desired attraction or repulsion between poles and the consequent action of the pendulum.
To this group, we offer the distinction: ELECTROMAGNETIC for its obvious characteristics.
The final group, TORSION PENDULUM Clocks, speaks for itself and needs no further clarification. Since this class is extremely limited, with only three types known, Chapter 6 will cover this group and provide the available details.
Any attempt at creating classifications in as complex a group as electrically driven clocks will, of necessity, meet with contradictions and difficulties in finding the proper position for a select few. These limited anomalies may appear to belong to more than one classification and it is left to the reader to select the appropriate group.
The author is certain that these classifications will meet with criticism by many readers, and it must be understood that they are only suggestions, and an attempt to relieve the confusion existing in the use of the term, "Electric Clocks", and are not intended to be definitives or absolute certainties.

excerpt from CHAPTER 7: REPAIRS & ADJUSTMENTS, SECTION 6: SELF-WINDING

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