LIGHT AND HEAT.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 301, 4 December 1936, Page 4

LIGHT AND HEAT.

STRATFORD POSITION What Sanctioning Of Loan Will Mean. Stratford was amongst trie first of New Zealand country towns to embark on an electricity system, and the improvements that are made possible by the ratepayers’ sanction of a £5,000 loan w.ll once more bring it to the forefront as far as electricity service is concerned.

The scheme and equipment of the present service are little changed from that which was instituted in 1924 when the Borough Council took over control from the company which originally made electricity available at Straitford. During the past twelve years, however, the consumption has increased to such an extent that modernisation is an absolute necessity if a fully efficient and economical service is to be maintained. Growth in 12 Years. Sigures supplied to a Press representative this morning by Mr, A. E. Pollock, borough electricity' inspector, demonstrate the extent of the expansion since 1924. The number of consumers in the year 1924-25 was 889. In 1934-35 there were 1075 consumers, an increase of 20.9 per cent. The, maximum demand in 1924-25 was 195 k.w., and in 1934-35, 531 k.w., an increase of 172.3 per cent. In 1924-25 305,997 units were sold. In 1934-35 2,070,227 units were sold, an increase! of 576.5 per cent. 4n the same period the average cost per unit to the consumer has decreased from 5.96 pence to 1.49 pence.

The position has now been reached that, on account of the greatly increased load, the lines and transformers have become overloaded and require to be placed in proper working order. There are two methods by- which this can be done. One iq to install heavier line copper and increase the present transformer capacity. The other method, which is being adopted for Stratford, is to place additional transformer sub-s’ai’ions at certain points. This is considered to be superior to the first method, and will give a more satisfactory and economical service. It will, moreover, be more adaptable to future expansion.

Transformer Sub-Stations. The cost of these transformers will be about £3,000. One will be placed .to serve central Broadway, one on area comprising Brecon Road, Regan Street, and Olivia Street, one on area comprising Brecon Road, Page Street, and Percy Avenue, and one for the Ariel Street), Seyton SJtreet area. The ren><iing £2,000 will be devoted to improving the centrol of the hot wa'ter service), A|t the present time a system of time switches is in operation. This has given satisfactory' results in the past, but, with 'the steady increasing consumption, has now outlived its usefulness as a means of controlling peak load. It is intended 'lo supesede this with the latest type of control, the flick relay. Whereas at present consumers are entitled to only 20 hours per day service, it is hoped with 'the new* system to give approximately 23 hours per day. When the system is introduced i r will be necessary' to shut off the hot wa'.ler current on|ly (when) the)- total load is approaching a peak. This can be done instantaneously by flicking out the town lights and operates only for a short period, as rquired and no\ for a definite time of li or 2 hours as under the present system.