AN ELECTRIC AGE.

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 April 1927, Page 18

AN ELECTRIC AGE.

SIMPLE FACTS FOR WOMEN. SOME KNOWLEDGE ESSENTIAL In this electric age when every modern home is equipped with electric*’ apparatus of a more or less varied nature. it is highly desirable that the housewife should possess certain elementary knowledge of the power con trolled by her. Electric heaters. ranges, cookers, toasters, washing machines and irons are coming into every-

day use, and for hcri own protection the user should know thel simple working and I peculiarities of each. For instance, howl many women arc! aware that they are I flirting with danger, in using an electric iron, the connecting: cord of which is 1 trayed, and the soc-

kets of which arc cracked or looseHow many housewives know that the fitting of new fuse wires at the main switch is as easy as threading a needle providing that proper precautions „ taken? v rile woman who is prepared to take an intelligent interest in the electrical equipment of her home must first f,,, •‘■arise herself with the language of electricity, and learn that a volt is the pressure at which current is supplied amperes are the units bv which the current is measured, watts are volts multiplied by amperes, while a watt is 1000 watts, or one unit. When any electrical apparatus consumes lOOti watts, or one unit, this means that it consumes one unit per hour. Fused wires are often a source of trouble in a house. It is a good pi*,, to label every fuse with the name of tile particular room or rooms to which it belongs, as this saves time and energin having to examine every fuse holder Another good plan is to keep extra" flexible wires in the house, so that it new wire can lie fixed rather than m*kr a joint in a worn one. Before touching the fuse-box. see that the main switch is off. find out what has caused the f n sp to blow, and remedy before replacing it. In replacing fused wire, be careful not to leave loose ends, and tighten the screw from left to right. When cords fray at the entrance of the cord-grip, they must he shortened and re-connected, after the holders have been removed. To do this, remove the shade, unscrew the cord-grip and fixing ring, remove metal ease, and after shortening the two flexible wires, clamp them home as before. In all cases when handling electric wire or apparatus, switch the current ofT first. Hints and advice on all questions relating to home electrical equip, went, general furnishing, renovation. decoration and construction wilt he supplied to readers of the Home Beautiful section. It must he remembered, however, that detailed estimates for constructions! work cannot be supplied. Correspondence should be addressed to: “Home Beautiful- Section. The Sun.