Discussion on, “methods of measurement of high electrical pressures”

I have been much interested in investigations of high potentials, and must confess I have always been prejudiced against electrostatic voltmeters, possibly because of some disastrous experiences with early forms of such voltmeters, that were liable to be 25 or 30 per cent. in error without giving indication thereof. Therefore I have always preferred the method of measurement by step-down transformer and the low potential voltmeter, or for very high voltages by ratio of transformation with step-up transformers, with a careful investigation of the high-potential circuit, to see whether there could be any deviation from the correct ratio by capacity effects and how much that might amount to.