openhouse | Sunday, September 17, 2017

12:18 PM

This is a mercury arc rectifier. Two glass bulbs, each with a pool of mercury. AC Electrodes create an arc across the vapour above the mercury and it will only accept current flow in one direction. Direct Current is picked up from the mercury pool. These rectifiers previously ran ex-German U-boat motors at the Royal Opera House, operating the stage hoists! #openhouse