THE UNIT.

Shannon News, 5 October 1923, Page 3

THE UNIT.

What is a unit The dictionary definition is“ Any known determinate quantity by constant application of which any other quantity is measured.” ' ,

When we comie to the question of an electrical unit it deserves a somewhat fuller explanation. Gas is measured by the cubic foot, water by the gallon ; the measure of electricity is the Board of Trade “unit.” . Technically an electrical unit is a kilowatt hour or 1000 watts operating over a period of one hour. To- the layman this bare statement conveys little, if any information. “What will a unit of electricity .doP” he asks. Here are some of the things that can] be done with one “unit” of electricity: Run a 4-cow milking plant for 50 minutes;

Saw 300 feet of timber. Clip 6 horses. Cut the chaff for your horse for two weeks.

Work a sewing machine for 21 hours. Charge the battery on your Ford. Blow a smith’s forge for four hours. Drive a washing machine for two hours.

Carry you three miles in an electric motor car.

Lifiht a 50 candle power lamp for 17 hours.

Pump 100 gallons of water to a height of 25 feet. Fill 500 feet of sausage skins. Drive a ventilating fain for 20 hours. Drive an electric dental machine for 16 hours.

Knead eight sacks of flour into dough.

Clean 5000 knives. Blew ai church organ for one service.

Run an electric clock for 10 years. There are only a few examples, but they certainly show the enormous power obtainable from one little “unjit.”