Portable Electric Lamps

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1921, Page 1

Portable Electric Lamps

A WARNIN'' Tin.' follow ino circular letter has been sent to electric supply authorities tlirouohout New Zealand by .Mi b. BirksT chii'f electrical < iik' ,, ‘‘ O, N l ''' tlu ‘ Public Works 1 tepartnient : ■|t is desired to brinjx under your not ir,. Ihe fact that at Ir-n.sL throe fatal accidents have occurred in New Zealand directly due to unskilled or careless wirinn of portable electric layups, and your co-operat ion is solicited m Jli'i*Bt publicity to llie danger that exists d proper precautions are not taken to make all portable electrical apparatus safe for handline. At a pressure of 12') volts or less the risk is not appreciable

as most, people can take this pressure through the diy hand without inconvenience, though oven at this low pressure fatal results have occurred through handling deleetive ap])araliis with wet hands. Hut the standard pressure of 2:10 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 ui scvmal cases in'a fatal fall, and in the three cases under consideration has rendered the victim unable to tree himself I tom the defective portable lampholder, with fata! results. It: has been noted that all the accidents referred to hav,. resultd from defective wiring carried out usuallv h v the consumer himsell. In such eases the wiring contractors arc of course not to blame, but their salesmen can assist by asking a few questions whenever they have occasion to suspect that amateur wiling is intended and advising the risks Klcetrioal apparatus is perfectly safe if properly wired, and it must he noted that each of these accident's was due to defective installation. To minimise ‘bis risk it is necessary that all portable lamps for u«e at a pressure exceeding 120 volts must bo rovided with substantial guards which must lie insulated from the lamnholder and the lampholder itself must he entirely enclosed and protected from accidental contact. Ihe oidin--21 ry hare lampholder should never bo used as a portable lamp in any place in which the person holding the iamp can touch an earth or concrete lloor. gas or water pipes, or any metal work. |„ wet id aces or places impregnated with salt or chemicals, such as brine chambers, concrete Ihiored laundries or wash-houses and breweries, the .risk is most serious, but can be entirely eliminated at the standard pressure or 2do volts hv using only fixed lamps with ceiling switches operated by a cord which, to render it imis-wiims to moisture. should he dipped in melted V"irnHiu. If portable lamps are nhsolutely ('ssential in siieli wot places ‘.lie pressure should lie transformed down to ■> volts for the purpose. Will you please take ste] s to bring the alvive facts to iho 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.”