Explosimeter gauge - photo

[Jon]

Explosimeter gauge.

Fullsize image: https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...r_fullsize.jpg




Previously:

Arc flash electrical box explosion - GIF
Sinking gases cause garage pit explosion - GIF
Electrical box explosion - GIF
Giant transformer explodes in New York City - GIFs and photo
Titanium explosion - GIF and video
Battery explodes while checking machine - GIF

[IntheGroove]

The forerunner of the Explosimeter gauge had to have been this;(from wikipedia, also the first use of what became the spark plug)
"Volta pistol". Volta invented this instrument in 1777 for the purpose of testing the "goodness" of air, analyzing the flammability of gases, or to demonstrate the chemical effects of electricity. Volta's Pistol had a long glass tube that was closed at the top, like a eudiometer. Two electrodes were fed through the tube and produced a spark gap inside the tube. Volta's initial use of this instrument concerned the study of swamp gases in particular. Volta's pistol was filled with oxygen and another gas. The homogeneous mixture was taped shut with a cork. A spark could be introduced into the gas chamber by electrodes, and possibly catalyze a reaction by static electricity, using Volta's electrophorus. If the gases were flammable, they would explode, and increase the pressure within the gas chamber. This pressure would be too great and eventually cause the cork to become airborne. Volta's pistol was made with either glass or brass, however due to the electricity the glass was vulnerable to exploding. Volta's extensive studies on measuring and creating high levels of electric currents caused the electrical unit, the volt, to be named after him.