Calculation and Measurement of Self-Inductance and Capacitance

(W. H. Nottage. The calculation and measurement of inductance and capacity. London 1917).

The enormous theoretical and experimental material on the calculation and measurement of self-inductances and capacitances, accumulated over many years in physical and technical journals and very heterogeneous in quality, has long been in need of critical processing and systematic compilation. Nottage’s book to a considerable extent satisfies this need, being a fairly complete collection of the formulae and circuits proposed up to the most recent time (1916).

Unfortunately, the author has limited himself only to juxtaposing final results, without giving derivations and, what is especially regrettable, not always indicating the degree of accuracy of the formulae. There is also no critical comparison of measurement methods. In this respect the book is considerably inferior to the corresponding compilations in Fleming and Eccles. The tables and graphs needed for practical use of the formulae are not always given; instead of these, references are made to the corresponding journal literature. This circumstance greatly deprives the book of practical independence.

Quite a large number of pages is devoted purely to radiotelegraphic measurements and calculations: for example, a number of remarkable formulae are given for calculating the capacitance of radiotelegraphic networks, proposed recently by Howe. In the last chapter various standards and instruments necessary for precise measurements are described: Duddell’s alternator, Fleming and Dyke’s alternating-current “mechanical rheotome,” wavemeters, electrostatic telephones, etc.

There are some annoying omissions; for example, one of the most general and accurate formulae for calculating the self-inductance of Rayleigh’s concentric coil is absent.

In any case, however, the book fills a substantial gap in the series of necessary reference books for every physical and electrical-engineering laboratory.

S. Vavilov.