FREAK POWER PEAK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 40, 13 June 1947, Page 5

FREAK POWER PEAK

WARNING TO CONSUMERS MUST SWITCH OFF MOTORS Electricity consumers in the Whakatane Borough, especially users of motors, should switch off during the power cuts and allow some minutes to pass when the power comes on again before they switch on. A warning that serious damage might be done to the borough electrical equipment if consumers- did not follow out this request was given by the Borough Electrical Engineer, Mr F. W. Lysaght, at the council meeting on Monday. A “freak power peak” had been set up in the borough because of people “sitting on the switches,” said Mr Lysaght. The trouble was that everyone wanted to use the powes as soon as it was 10 o’clock. The borough electricity system would not handle such a rush, and the result might be serious.

Cr W. Sullivan: Could it not be arranged with the heavy power users to delay coming on? It is only a matter of a few minutes.

Mr Lysaght: About ten minutes. The council’s own waterworks was kept off for some minutes. It was a serious matter because it was not possible to get equipment to replace what was burnt out. New transformers could not be obtained for about 18 to 20 months. In answer to Cr Morpeth, Mr Lysaght said it was not possible to cut off power in separate parts- of the borough. The Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry: You have arranged with heavy consumers?

Mr Lysaght: Yes. He recommended that the public, especially motor users, should be asked to. come on gradually. At present the council was getting a freak peak. Cr A. J. Canning inquired whether there was a similar peak after the 7' p.m. to 8 p.m. shut-down. Mr Lysaght replied that it was not so bad after 8 p.m. because most consumers were not using their motors.

The peak was worst after the 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. cuts.