TURN ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS OFF FOR POWER CUTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 28, 1 May 1950, Page 5

TURN ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS OFF FOR POWER CUTS

A warning to consumers not to keep too many electrical installations turned on during the evening power cuts has been made by the electrical engineer at Whakatane, Mr F. W. Lysaght, who points out that some really serious damage could be done with the f sudden freak load if a sudden demand was made for the power as soon as it is turned on.

Mr Lysaght advised that as soon as power is turned off all installations, refrigerators, radios, motors and, ranges, should be turned off immediately. He suggests that one light or just the radio could be lebt on to give some indication when the power is resumed again. When the power is switched on after a cut there is a sudden surge on the power lines and if the immediate demand is great it is liable to blow something out or to throw out the protection equipment on the distributing sbbstations. Should this happen the cut may be extended for an hour or more until the damage can be rectified. Normally the substations are only set to carry a certain loading and it Will not take a very sudden excessive surge in power to throw them out.

So remember. When the cuts come on tonight switch off all electrical installations except, say, one light or the radio so that you will know when the power is resumed again. This action may mean just that little difference whether you have the normal cut or an extended one. It rests with you.