A Guide to Electrical Horology Clock History Fixes Tips

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.

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.

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

Table of Contents

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 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, 1852Ñ1900

**Also available world-wide at the publisher's site; Trafford.com  ISBN 1-4120-0421-7