ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1922, Page 7

ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY.

POSITION IN NSW PLYMOUTH. LIGHTING FOR HOUSES. BETTER PROSPECTS AHEAD. Householders in New Plymouth who l.yve made application for the installation of electric light to their premises will be glad to learn that as the position of the electric light department has improved, in regard to supplying current there is a possibility the Borough Council again undertaking installations in certain cases. In his monthly report, the general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) makes reference to the subject of lighting connections as follows: - “Owing to the demand exceeding the capacity of the available plant the council, upon the recommendation of the electrical engineer several months ago, decided that, outside of those applications which had been accepted prior to June 20 last, no-further applications for lighting and power could be granted. This decision naturally caused considerable inconvenience to householders, particularly those who had erected and wired new houses, and at the present moment there are over 350 houses awaiting connection. The position wal also unsatisfactory from the point of view of the department, inasmuch as it prevented the business being extended. It is, therefore, with some relief that I am now able to report that with the arrival and erection of additional plant, and with the change over to three phase now nearly completed, the position has been considerably eased.” The general manager quotes correspondence which has passed between himself and the electrical engineer (Mr. R. H. Bartley) with reference to the power house load. Mr. Bartley states, inter alia:—“As far as this department is concerned we have gathered up every possible leakage of power and devised many means of increasing economies, which have no doubt been helpful I am hopeful that still further economies can very shortly be obtained, due to reduction of transmission and distribution losses, brought about with three phase operation. I am expecting approximately 8 per cent, reduction, which should amount to approximately 40 or 50 h.p., and this should enable us to carry on a bit further with lighting consumers. It will be noted from the charts that the majority of our peaks do not occur at lighting hours, with the exception of Friday or Saturday, and these could be reduced by lowering the voltage, which is automatically done by the machines themselves when the loading becomes too heavy for them. This low voltage means bad lighting, but the periods should not be long, and serious objections may not be raised to it under the circumstances. Also, as I have mentioned before, there is approximately 30 h.p. consumed by the street lighting, and at extreme periods at least 30 h.p. of this could be temporarily switched off to relieve the position. The danger of burning out the machines, due to overloading, has now passed with the change over and rewinding, etc., and the worst that can happen is for the turbines to slow up, due to insufficient water or too much load, and this will result in bad lighting. To date we are not getting the full benefit of the three phase system, as we are not completely over on the distribution. This will take time, but is continuing. I am of opinion that under the altered circumstances The council should seriously consider the continuation of lighting connections only, and I can assure them that everything possible will be done to keep the lighting reasonable. I would like to stress the importance of getting No. 1 tunnel in use at the earliest possible moment. The present intake is a source ot continual worry and anxiety to us, and, further, with the new intake in operation we should be able to maintain the head on the existing dam much more easily, and this should help us considerably during low river.” •Tn view of the above (The general manager continues) the electrical engineer and I are satisfied that the council would be justified in accepting sUeh applications for lighting only as can be connected without extensions of the mains in the streets. There should, however, be some limit to prevent large consumers absorbing the available current to the exclusion of later applicants. The electrical engineer considers thb limit should be four lights, with a total maximum consumption of 200 watts, (approximately 200 candle power). Subject to this limit. I. therefore, recommend that the electrical engineer be authorised to grant applications for lighting onlv. applicants for power to be specially dealt with by the council as at present" in order that the hours may be restricted to suit the demands made upon the plant.”