PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMPS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 280, 20 August 1921, Page 8

PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMPS

4 A WARNING. The following circular letter has been sent to electric supply authorities throughout Now Zealand by Mr. L. Birks, chief electrical engineer, to the Public Works Department:— "It is desired to bring under your notice the fact that at least three fatal accidents have occurred in New Zealand directly duo to unskilled or careless wiring of portable electric lamps, and your co-operation is solicited in giving publicity to the danger that exists if proper precautions are not taken to make all portable electrical apparatus safe for- handling. At a pressure of 120 volts or less the risk is pot appreciable, as most people can take this pressure through the dry hand without inconvenience, though even at this low pressure fatal results have occurred through handling defective apparatus with wet hands. But the standard pressure of 230 volts, on the other hand, though harmless under normal circumstances, gives a severe shock liable to cause involuntary action, and such involuntary action has resulted in several cases in a fatal fall, and in tho three cases under consideration has rendered the victime unable to free himself from the de. fective portable lampholder, with fatal results. It has been noted that all the accidents referred to have resulted from defective wiring carried out usually by the consumer himself. In such cases, the wiring contractors are of course not to blame, hut their salesmen can assist by asking a few questions whenever they have occasion to suspect that amateur wiring is intended and advising the risks involved. Electrical apparatus is perfectly safe if properly wired, and it. must be noted that each of these accidents was due to defective installation. To minimise this ’risk it is necessary that all portable lamps for use at a pressure exceeding 120 volts must be provided with substantial guards which must be insulated from tho lampholder and tho lampholder itself must be entirely enclosed and protected from.accidental contact. Tho ordinary bare lampholder should never be used as a portable lamp in any place in which tho person holding the lamp can touch an earth or concrete floor, gas or water pipes, or any metal work. In wet places or places impregnated with salt or chemicals, such as brine chambers, concrete floored laundries or washhouses ana breweries, Die risk is most serious, bn!: can be entirely eliminated at the standard pressure of 230 volts by using only fixed lamps with ceiling oper. ated by a cord, which, to render it impervious to moisture, should b" dipped in melted paraffin. If portable lamps are absolutely essential in such wet places the pressure should be transformed down to 50 volts for the parpose. Will you please take steps to bring the above facts to tho notice of your wiring contractors and electricity consumers in order to reduce the risk of a recurrence of the regrettable accident which took place recently.”