HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2794, 7 October 1924, Page 3

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

DANGER FROM LIVE WIRES,

METHODS OF RESTORATION.

As the result of an accident at the Ilovowhenua Power Board’s Levin sub-station on Saturdav enquiries were made from the Board’s engineer (Mr T. Overton) by a “Chronicle” representative as to die extent of the danger from live wires to the average individual. The only serious source of danger, it was pointed out, was from boys climbing the poles. Along the main service line from Shannon which passes through Fairfield, and along Bartholomew and Tiro Tiro Roads, the three top wires are of 11,000 voltage. To touch these would result in instantaneous death. On all the other lines the voltage is 230, and Mr Overton pointed out. it was strangely enough, with those lower tension wires that (he greater number of accidents occurred. To touch one of these linos would not be necessarily fatal, although if the connection was not broken in lime such would probably be the result. For practical purposes it might be safe to say that from this source result from a wire coming down from the pole and being carelessly caught hv some person. In such a case the first thing to do is to break the connection, as the person touching the wire is unable to let go. The danger to the rescuer is that if care is not exercised, a further connection will be made through him to the ground. The first tiling to do is to stand on a hoard or a coat thrown on the ground will do, and to grasp the person to he pulled away from the wire by the clothes. Where unconsciousness has occurred artificial respiration should be immediately resorted to, the system found satisfactory in cases of drowning being effective. Medical attention should immediately be summoned. In the accident at the sub-station on Saturday this system of: artificial respiration was adopted, every man employed on wiring hv the Board being instructed in the method, with the result that consciousness had been restored before the medical man arrived.

Tbo precaution against accident is to avoid at any time, touching any cable which may have fallen down or otherwise. Should such he found, the Board’s staff should immediately be communicated with. Also whenever a shock is received from, any connection whatever, the Board should be notified, as this is a certain indication of a faulty system.

Tn conclusion, Mr Overton pointed out: that the risk of accident was rc-ally extremely slight, and that, the danger was in the case of children who might not understand the result of touching a 7 wire. At the same time lie was emphatic that too nincli attention could not be directed io (lie fact that danger did exist id thill all parents would be advised to warn their children against interfering in any wav with wires or touching one in flic unlikely contingency of its bee online disconnected from the insulator.