1. capacity of a telegraph conductor The electric capacity of a telegraphic conductor is identical in quality with that of any other conductor. It varies in quantity, not only for different wires, but for the samewire under different environments, as the wire reacting through the surrounding air or other dielectric upon the earth, represents one element of a condenser, the earth, in general, representing the other. Hence, a wire placed near the earth has greater capacity than one strung upon high poles, although the wires may be identical in length, material and diameter. The effect of high capacity is to retard the transmission of intermitting signals. Thus, when--as in the Morse system--a key is depressed, closing a long telegraphcurrent and sending a signal into a line, it is at least very probable that a portion of the electricity travels to the end of the wire with the velocity of light. But as the wire has to be charged, enoughcurrent to move the relay may not reach the end for some seconds.
'capacity of a telegraph conductor' - Nearby Entries
Definitions of capacity of a telegraph conductor
