An Electrical Mystery

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 28, 24 January 1930, Page 27

An Electrical Mystery

Power from the Earth

PROGRESS in the scientific world has been made with almost unbelievable rapidity during the past 20 years, but occasionally natural phenomena, inexplicable even in the light of present-day knowledge, mystify scientists. Such ‘an incident occurred recently when an Atherican radio experimenter was attempting to connect "a power speaker to an electric light socket. The experimenter in some way while handling the wires mixed them and introduced a ground wire. He then turned off the chandelier switch for fear he would receive a shock, but instead of plunging the room into darkness it was left lighted as.before. At first he thought the switch was not working, but tests proved that it was in perfect working order. Then he discovered that when. he disconnected the ground wire the light went off. \ He turned off the chandelier switch and even unscrewed a fuse from the fuse box, completely cutting the circuit. When he connected his ground wire the light flashed on as before. At first he thought he must be completing the circuit through the ground, but then he learned that alternating circuits from the power-house are not grounded. There is an outgoing wire from the power-house and a_ return wire to complete the circuit, through the generator. Then he discovered still another startling fact. When he connected 4 second light bulb in series with the ground wire it also glowed-and more brightly than the one in the chandelier above his head. He studied this out and came to the conclusion that "his" electricity was coming from the ground -which he knew would startle the world if it were true. To make sure that he was not using current from the: electric light company the experimenter watched the electric, meter. The thin steel wheel that always turns slowly when current is being used was motionless. He took his wire to a college and demonstrated for a professor, It worked there as well as at home. The professor tested the current with fine instruments. He ‘could see nothing wrong or explain where the current was coming from. The experimenter demonstrated similarly for other professors, and all who saw the demonstration were puzzled, but they expressed the opinion that the phenomena could be explained by present electric laws. ‘Some of the demonstrations are as follow :- . A compass is held to the’ground wire while the light in the chandelier is burning and the needle does not deflect towards the wire. Then he holds the compass near a circuit fed by a dry. cell and the needle instantly turns at right angles to the wire. A solenoid coil containing a 40-penny nail is connected in his circuit and demonstrates that it.will not pick up the finest iron filings.. Then he connects the same coil to the dry cell and it picks up a generous portion of the filngs, . He holds two bare wires in his hands and connects them with impunity.

Sparks flash when the ends touch, but there is no appreciable heat, and only the slightest shock is experienced. This madé Mr. Sherman realise that he has a form of electricity that will light a 110-watt lamp and yet would be harmless to people. With the socket switch turned off and the fuse pulled from the box connected with the electric meter, he makes one, two, or three lamps glow with light strong enough to read by with comfort. It is argued that the electricity is coming from the ground because the lamp nearest the ground in the circuit glows the brightest, the next one less brightly, and the upper one least of all. Professors declare that the simple experiments are faulty; that the man. is getting alternating current from that source. Still they have announced that they are planning exhaustive sets of the hookup to determine whether he has discovered a new principle, or if this is merely a freak performance.