A GREAT ELECTRIC PLANT.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 129, 28 March 1901, Page 1

A GREAT ELECTRIC PLANT.

Now that the improvement of motors ami the perfection of systems for the transmission 'of electric power have opened a new era in industry, attention is being, directed to the possibility ‘of utilising water-power in all parte of the world. Many of the greatest electric plants in use have been installed by the General Electrr, Company • of America, whose factories are themselves worked by power obtained from a distance, A few years ago these factories a’t Mccbauicsvilie, New York, covering IMO acres of land, were operated from an extensive steam plant, but the company was not long in dir;oovering that it could obtain ai; the power required at a much lower cost. The cataracts on the liaison river are eleven miles from Troy, eighteen from Albany, and seventeen from Shenectady, so that there was,' a certain market iri the neighbourhood for almost ariy power tiie river might afford. The river is divided into two streams.‘by an island, and the western channel is used for the ne'tcd. and the power-house is built out'-,about 21.7 met into the river, being practically a continuation of one of tl.’a dams. The main dam is 16$. high’ above the bed of the river, Sft. thick at the crest, 16ft. through, the base, and 60ft. through base and apron. Concrete is used throughout'. The up-stream face is vertical, while the down-stream is curved, and there is a horizontal, apron 14ft. wide so constructed, as to prevent the possibility cjf; scour.’" There is' no- need to gi\c ail the measurements arid figure’s in connection with the works, but it may bo stated that the ma h wheel plant consists of ten pairs uf J2in. horizontal Victor turbines, bach main turbine consists of two pairs of wheels, with a total power of .1000 horse-power. The he: d under which the water-wheels are operated is LSfr. The generate h capacity of tire station is 70(A) horse-power. Trig power is transmitted to IShenectady by three hare wires on bOft. poles to the town limits, and is then carried by three* strain! ei copper cables laid in terracotta conduits! The hydraulic works were constructed by"' the Stilivvcl;-UieTco ' and Smith-Vaile Company, of Dayton, Ohio, and the combination of hydraulic and electric machinery is Said to be the most economical in the world.