The Standard Electrical Dictionary

1. Lamp, Differential Arc

   An arc lamp, the regulation of the distance between whose carbons depends on the differential action of two separate electrical coils. The diagram illustrates the principle. The two carbons are seen in black; the upper one is movable, The current arrives at A. It divides, and the greater part goes through the low resistance coil M to a contact roller r, and thence by the frame to the upper carbon, and through the arc and lower carbon to B, where it leaves the lamp. A smaller portion of the current goes through the coil M1 of higher resistance and leaves the lamp also at B. A double conical iron core is seen, to which the upper carbon holder is attached. This is attracted in opposite directions by the two coils. If the arc grows too long its resistance increases and the coil M1 receiving more current draws it down and thus shortens the arc. If the arc grows too short, its resistance falls, and the coil M receives more current and draws the core upwards, thus lengthening the arc. This differential action of the two cores gives the lamp its name. R is a pulley over which a cord passes, one end attached to the core and the other to a counterpoise weight, W.