is a measure of the energy dissipated in hysteresis per cycle.

The existence of such a loop for dielectric hysteresis has for a long time been suspected and it is interesting to see the exact form which it takes, and to note its similarity to the corresponding curve of magnetic hysteresis in iron.

Of course the investigation of the subject is not complete until the electrostatic hysteresis is determined for various dielectrics and for different potentials and frequencies.

The losses in these condensers were so small that it can not be said that dielectric hysteresis prohibits the use of condensers in practical alternating current work.

[Communicated after adjournment by MR. CHARLES P. STEINMETZ:]

Being unable to be present at the reading of the paper, I for ward a few remarks to the matter under discussion. This paper of Messrs. Bedell, Miller and Wagner is of high interest from many points of view. First, in so far as it adds something to the elucidation of a controversy which in alternating current engi neering assumed an aspect similar to the universal wire gauge of which our Secretary told us to-day-I mean the question of open circuit vs closed circuit transformers.

This transformer of Mr. Bedell is a 60-light, or 3,000-watt transformer. It is of interest, therefore, to compare its behavior with the 3,000 watt hedgehog transformer tested by J. A. Fleming a year ago (Institution of Electrical Engineers, Nov. 24, 1892).

Especially noteworthy is the reduction in the core loss and the consequent increase in the efficiency in the present transformer.

It is to be remembered, however, that the efficiencies given by Mr. Bedell are not observed, but calculated from copper and iron losses.

Very interesting is Fig. 17 which shows the line current to be a wave of higher frequency, so that here experimentally the primary current has been dissolved into the sine wave of magnetizing current, as supplied by the condenser, and the higher harmonic wave of energy current which, however, consists of two components again, an energy component of normal frequency, and the wattless complex higher harmonic mainly consisting of a term of triple frequency as shown by Fig. 17.

Very curious is the behavior of the primary current, which is just opposite to what is known of the closed circuit transformer. In closed circuit transformers the wave of primary current is

greatly distorted at no load, and becomes more and more sine shaped with increasing load.

In this open circuit transformer we find the wave of primary current at no-load practically syminetrical (Fig. 6); with increasing load the primary current becomes distorted while the E. M. F.'s retain their sine shape, and the primary current, as shown in Fig. 8 and 9, bulges out at the rising, and bulges in at the decreasing side.

Now this phenomena is very curious and fully deserves further investigation, since it makes the splendid efficiency curve of Fig. 13 doubtful.

Anybody who has investigated the various distortions of alternate waves will in this particular distortion suspect the effect of a hysteretic loss not existing at no load.

Due to the open magnetic circuit considerable distortion of the magnetic field may be caused by the counter-magnetomotive force of the secondary circuit. The existence of this distortion of magnetism is shown by the gradual displacements of E. M. F.'s with increasing load. An effect due to the sa ne cause we probably see in the distortion of the current wave. How far this effect implies an additional energy loss remains to be seen by further investigation.

Probably this question may be decided by taking instantaneous values of secondary current also, which would enable us to trace the origin of this remarkable distortion.

With regard to the way of determining the effective value by calculating the squares of instantaneous values, plotting them in a curve and measuring its area, this must be very tedious. Three years ago I pointed out a much simpler method in Elektrotechnische Zeitschrift, June 20, 1890: Plotting the instantaneous values of the alternate wave in polar co-ordinates, i. e., as radii corresponding to the time as angle, the area of the curve represents the sum of squares of the values, i. e., the effective value, so that the effective value of an alternate wave can be derived directly by measuring the area of the curve of instantaneous values in polar co-ordinates.

This is another feature which makes the use of polar coordinates preferable in alternating current work.

October 19, 1893-Lynn, Mass.

THE PRESIDENT:-Is there any further discussion on this paper? If not, I will call for the paper by the Secretary, on Monthly Meetings of the Institute; Their Origin and Proposed Development."

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the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, New York, October 18th, 1893, President Houston in the Chair.

MONTHLY MEETINGS OF THE INSTITUTE.
THEIR ORIGIN AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

BY RALPH W. POPE.

INTRODUCTION.

Now that the membership of the INSTITUTE has become so widespread, accompanied by the natural tendency to increase most rapidly in cities, the question of holding meetings at different points in the country is assuming marked importance. The recent revival of this subject is largely due to a discussion1 which took place at the annual meeting, May 16th, 1893. Attention was called at that time to the fact, that Council had already considered the advisability of the holding of meetings in other cities than New York, but that nothing had been accomplished, due largely to the failure on the part of any number of members to express a desire that such meetings be held. In order that the details of this movement may be properly understood, as well as to correct erroneous impressions that have arisen, owing to lack of information upon the subject, the writer has undertaken to prepare this paper. His familiarity with the history of the INSTITUTE, as well as the practice of similar national organizations, must be his excuse for undertaking the work.

RULES REGARDING MEETINGS.

In the organization of the INSTITUTE, the rules of the American Institute of Mining Engineers were very closely followed, and provision was made for one annual and two regular meetings. The Rules also provide for the holding of special meetings, as follows:

1. Transactions, vol. x, p. 305.

"Special meetings may be called whenever the Council sees "fit; and the Secretary shall call a special meeting on a requi"sition signed by fifteen or more members." [See Rule 6.]

EARLY SUGGESTIONS.

The immediate predecessor of the writer in the office of Secretary, Mr. T. C. Martin, in his remarks at the annual meeting, May 19th, 1885, when the INSTITUTE was but twelve months old, called attention to this rule:

"Several of the members in New York," he said, "have writ"ten to me and have objected to the infrequency of the meetings "held during the year. They say that the members ought to be "brought together in New York oftener, that papers might be presented and read, and that the New York members might "form a branch or sub-section of the society, and they think that "the society would be greatly strengthened by some such step "as that, but it will be seen that Rule 6 makes no provision at all "for any meetings of that nature, except that they shall be called "whenever the Council sees fit, and that the Secretary shall call "such a meeting on a requisition signed by fifteen or more mem"bers. It seems to me that the society would derive great bene"fit from occasional meetings of the New York members."

No action was taken upon this suggestion, although at the same meeting, a committee for the revision of the Rules was appointed, which reported at a special meeting called for the purpose, December 8th, 1885. At this meeting the following six members were present: the late Major Michaelis, the late Sidney F. Shelbourne, John Bogart, Henry B. Slater, Joseph Wetzler and the writer. The outlook for meetings of any kind. at that time was decidedly gloomy.

THE MOVEMENT CHECKED, BUT NOT ABANDONED.

Matters moved along in practically the same groove until the next annual meeting, held May 18th, 1886. The following is a quotation from the report of your present Secretary, who had then held office for one year:

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The importance of the various electrical problems which are "continually being brought to public notice, points to the advisa"bility of holding monthly meetings, for the discussion of current "topics. There are in New York and vicinity a sufficient num"ber of members to make such meetings successful, especially if "those who are capable, and have had ample electrical experience "will perform their duty in the preparation of suitable papers "for presentation on such occasions. I can see no reason why "such a gathering might not be held monthly, in conjunction

66

"with the regular meetings of Council, under existing arrange"ments. A suggestion of this kind was made by my immediate "predecessor, but not having been acted upon, I feel it my duty "to state that I consider something of this kind absolutely es"sential to the future prosperity of the INSTITUTE, and earnestly "recommend that the matter be taken up at this meeting. If possible, I should be glad to see at least six members or associ"ates now appointed, who should in turn present suitable papers "for discussion on such occasions. At least one meeting of this "character might be held early in June, and upon its success "would depend the arrangements for future gatherings. I have "already been promised a paper for this purpose, and it is very probable that gentlemen who could not comply with our request to submit papers at the present time, will be glad to do so at a 66 more convenient season. It also appears probable that if suit"able arrangements were made for reporting the proceedings of "these meetings, many important electrical papers would be "brought before the INSTITUTE, which are presented to other societies, although perhaps entirely foreign to their special "field. This is largely the result of a popular interest in electri"cal researches now existing, which we should avail ourselves of "to stimulate the growth of the INSTITUTE.

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6.

"With the inauguration of such a policy as I have outlined, "your Secretary will feel far better satisfied with his work, "and the existence of the INSTITUTE will gradually become more "generally known, and properly appreciated by those for whose "benefit it was founded."

Notwithstanding this suggestion, there appears to have been a disposition to take up the consideration of that weighty and inexhaustive topic, which has haunted technical societies for many years, viz:-"A Universal Wire-Gauge." After a discussion which left the wire-gauge question exactly where it stands to-day, excepting that three or four new gauges have since been added, Mr. Mailloux availed himself of a lapse in the proceedings to call attention to the Secretary's recommendation in the following words:

"Has anybody taken up that suggestion about the monthly "meetings? It strikes me we ought not to let an important "matter like that pass by. There is quite a sentiment in favor "of that project in the body of the institution, and I must say, "for my part, that I favor it greatly. I believe in spreading the "light all we can and keeping the INSTITUTE awake, and I do not "think there is anything that could conduce more than monthly "meetings to awakening a general interest in electrical matters, "not only among the members, but with the general electrical "public. I know that abroad it is customary for societies to "meet oftener than three or four times a year. You almost for