First described by Claude Servais Mathias Pouillet in 1837, the tangent galvanometer is used to measure an unknown current by comparing the magnetic field produced by that current with the earth's magnetic field. The deflection of a magnetic compass needle by current in a wire was first described by Hans Oersted in 1820. Oersted's important (and accidental) discovery was the basis for numerous importatnt experiments linking magnetism and electricity.
This tangent galvanometer is constructed of neutral acrylic with a coil containing @800 turns of insulated copper wire. The coil is intersected with an acrylic platform designed to hold the (included) liquid filled magnetic compass. The compass is positioned so that it's pointer runs parallel with the coil. When a voltage of 3-6 V is applied to the coil, the compass will deflect so that it is positioned perpendicular to the coil, depending upon voltage and current.
Specifications:
Turns: @800
Input Voltage: 3-6V DC
Product Dimensions:
4" x 3" x 5" (lxwxh)