DRAIN OF RADIO

Chronicle (Levin), 11 July 1946, Page 4

DRAIN OF RADIO

Over 250,000 radio^reeeiving sets and 13 broadcasting stations in the North Island represent a considerabje direct and indirect eonsumption of electric power. A reasonable estimate of the radio loading, from tests carried out by the State Hydro-Electric Department, is stated to be 12,500 kilowatts, of which 12,500 kilowatts is taken by receivers and the remaining 500 kilowatts by the broadcasting stations. The actual aerial energy of the North Island broadcasting stations -is less than 85 kilowatts, but this represents only- a f raction of their power intake for transmissipn, and to it mnst be added tlie electricity needed for the many snbsidiary activities in organising programmes and keeping the stations running. „ . ^ . Most receivjng sets eonsume as much power as ap, electrie lamp of 60 to 100 watts, but once again the actual eonsumption resulting from the use of the radio is increased by the fact that families stay up longer to listen to it, thus adding tp the amount of power used for lights and heaters. When there is a radio receiver in a house tjie amount of power used is generally about twice. as mneh as where electricity is used for lighting only.