V o l. CXXXV. No. 3515. F r id a y , October 12, 1945. Sis {Registered at the General Post Office. Entered as Second Glass at the Nets York U.S.A. Post 0$cs,}

LOOK CLOSELY AT THIS PHOTOGRAPH aWjHKB

HE girls are working under Mazda Fluorescent Lamps, in open-top fittings. NoteT the almost complete absence of shadows — even under the benches.

M40S4 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945

INSTRUMENT WIRES TELEPHONEE RADIO CORDS STRANDSCBRAIDS CABLESE FLEXIBLES

ELECTRICAL C°L«

ALPERTON WEMBLEY MIDDLESEX t e l : PERIVALE 5621-2 g r a m s : ENGINEYOR PHONE LONDON October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN iii

The simplest form of flexible coupling for transmitting rotary movement is shown above. The Metalastik rubber-to-metal weld permits the transmission of heavy loads, with a torsional cushioning effect which extends over an appreciable angle. Note the ‘V ’ section which gives uniform stress.

These couplings are used for many purposes and can be supplied with natural or synthetic rubber of various degrees of flexibility; and in any ordinary metals, including light alloys.

Other Metalastik couplings shown are — on the left, the'ZPU’ type; on the right, the 'Z V S', both have vanes which give a positive drive beyond a certain deflection and are capable of accommodating angular and parallel mis-allgnment.

All these patent couplings are of great value in damping out torsional vibrations, in fact many of them are used expressly for this purpose where all other expedients have failed.

A THE ELECTRICIAN' October 12, 1945

Have you heard about the new

KANTARK' H.R.C. FUSES ? To meet the demand for fuses of higher rupturing capacity than the rewirable type, M.E.M. have introduced a range of “ Kantark ” H.R.C. Fuses with features of exceptional interest. In independent tests they have been proved to exceed the requirements of B.S.S. 88/ 1939.' A great advantage of these H.R.C. fuses is that they can be inserted in existing M.E.M. Switchfuses and Fuseboards by the use of M.E.M. Cartridge Carriers. They are also available in types for use in other than M.E.M. Fuse Carriers. M.E.M. “ Kantark ” H.R.C. Fuses are made in ratings from 5 to 200 amps, for voltages up to 440 A.C. and 500 D.C. Reliable indication is given when fuse has operated. Write to-day for List No. 270 which gives full particulars of these reliable, rapid action fuses.

MIDLAND ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO LTD.. TYSELEY, BIRMINGHAM, 11 London Showrooms and Stores: 21-22 Rathbone Place, London, W.l Manchester Showrooms and Stores: 48-50 Chapel Street, Salford, 3 October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN v

An earth rod which reaches for results Embodying the known virtues of the earth rod electrode—ease and low cost of in­ stallation—here is a new type of rod with a wider field of application. Because it is Extensible it can be driven, in 4 ft. lengths, to great depths to take advantage of deep strata of low resistivity — inaccessible economically by other means. When sunk below ground level and fitted with an “Easy-Access ” Inspection Cover, the bonding and conductor are protected., trom mechanical damage and undesirable face potential gradients are minimised. B.I. Technical Advisory Service will gladly advise on specific applications for tlie EX-TE N B.I. COPPER EARTH

For further details write for “ EARTHING ” — a new B.I. brochure

BRITISH INSULATED CALLENDER’S CABLES LTD. Main Works : ERITH, HELSBY, LEIGH (Lancs.) & P R E S C O T . THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945

Telegram1.ele?)hone HIGH October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN

The design of HENLEY “ Cablegrip ” type Boxes is based on years of experience of practical jointing con­ ditions, and incorporates all those Note ample room jK features which facilitate jointing opera­ for splaying of «4 tions. Their complete reliability bears cores. out our claim for these boxes—that you can “ bury and forget.”

The range of “ Cablegrip ” type boxes include Straight Through, Service and Branch Boxes for underground instal­ lation. The “ Cab leg rip” gland and armour clamp, which is a feature of the boxes, is illustrated below.

Completed Multicore Joint (above) and “CABLEGRIP”’ Box with top half in position (below). STRAIGHT THROUGH SERVICE & BRANCH BOXES

The “ Cablegrip ” gland and armour clamp provides two wide bearings for the cable. A highly efficient bond to the lead sheathing is effected by means of a cast iron shuttle (A) and to the armouring by means of a cast iron arm our clamp (B).

Please ask for Catalogue U C D .2, and Supplement. W. T. HENLEY’S TELEGRAPH WORKS CO. LTD. CHANCERY f>82a 51-53 HATTON GARDEN, LONDON, E-C-l C/RAM St HFNISTEL j Sfiff rtf, LONDON viii THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945

In twilight arctic or blazing tropic, across the trackless wastes of the world you know" whereMARCONI you are with m a r co n i’s w ireless telegraph co. l t d . THE MARCONI INTERNATIONAL MARINE COMMUNICATION CO. LTD. ELECTRA HOUSE, VICTORIA EMBANKMENT, LONDON, W.C.2 ★ October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN

The indispens-' able tool for, the Contractor, ^ Builder, Heat­ ing Engineer,' Electrician, Shop Fitter,- Plant Mainten­ ance Engineer, Millwright, and for every trade working on Stone,' Wood, Metal, etc.-' For full details write, to THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL St. Chad was the first Bishop of Lichfield. The Lady Chapel contains some fine Flemish glass of the sixteenth century

BOOK 9th NOV

E.I.B.A YICTORY BALL CRYSE

MADE IN ENG LA NO

Q U A L IT Y & S E R V IC E

BIRMINGHAM BURY ST EDMUNDS LEEDS LONDON BRIGHTON CARDIFF LEICESTER MANCHESTER BRISTOL GLASGOW LIVERPOOL NEWCASTLE

CRYSELCO LIMITED, KEMPSTON WORKS, BEDFORD October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN

mgieL METALCLAD SWITCHGEAR JttUadueed CUig-inaCiy, in 1934 and ôtiii 3Ue~etninent

SB 18-33 kV - I000 MVA SB 24-66 kV - I500 MVA T i c K e r s ELECTRICAL CO.. LTD TRAFFORD PARK - MANCHESTER 17.

F/K502

INCREASE PRODUCTION BY î r  5,A,îr« TaROEVN,g,KN lE B s THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 ITC LONE

EFFICIENT VENTILATION

These Fans are reversible (rotation being reversed by change-over switch), with motors liberally rated and built to B.S.I. standards. Write for Technical Brochures quoting ref. EJIO

MATTHEWS & YATES LTD SWINTON (Manchester) & LONDON . p! _ _ m. f Swlnton 2273 (A lines) \ London, Chancery 7823 (3 lines) m il k s t o n e s p r in g w o r k s , r o c h d a l e . l a n c s CLASCOW • LEED8 - BIRMINGHAM • CARDIFF PHONE. ROCHDALE 2237-8. 'GRAMS: " RIIOSPRING " October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN. xiii

Everyone’s ‘ sold ’ on Atlas Lamps ! last so long. We are proud of There is extra profit for you in every the perfection of Atlas Lamps and sale. There are extra good discounts our advertising is saying so every­ too, attractive sales aids, and perfect where—in every main thoroughfare, freedom to stock other makes of regularly in the national and pro­ good lamps if you like. Your cus­ vincial daily and evening papers and tomers like Atlas because they are magazines. Get in on Atlas—write obviously such excellent lamps and today for terms. ATLAS LAMPS Nothing better hot tome to light THORN ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES LTD., 105-109 JUDD STREET, LONDON, W.C.I. Phone: EUSton 1183 Northern Branch: 55 Blossom Street, Manchester. Phone: Central 7461 N.-E. Depot: 45 Sandhill, Newcastle-on-Tyne, I. Phone: Newcastle 24068 loi xiv .THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 —ASHTON— LIGHTING CABLES ÄND FLEXIBLES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTORS ASHFORD, KENT : EASTBOURNE : LONDON : NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE : Thomas R. Hills, Ltd., The Battery Services (East­ Paddock, Station Road. bourne), Ltd., 37, Ashford Southern Trading Co., 862, Magbat, Ltd., 60, St. Mary’s Road. Old Kent Road, S.E.15. Place. ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE : T. A. Stevens & Co., Ltd., J. Watson (Wholesale), Lawton Brothers (Sales), EDINBURGH : 21, Dalston Lane, E.8. Ltd., Commercial Buildings. Ltd., 13, Henry Square. Skinners (Charles Skinner), 12, St. James Square. Lamberts, Ltd., 97-99, PARKSTONE, DORSET : BEDFORD : Southwark Bridge Road, S. Hohly & Co., Ltd., 45, Randalls, Ltd., 20 & 22, GLASGOW : S.E.1. Richmond Road. St. Mary Street. Standard Accumulator Co., 1103, Argyle Street. J. G. Medlock, 578, Green BIRMINGHAM : Lanes, Harringay, N.8. PETERBOROUGH : Edwin F. Smith & Son, J. Moffat & Co., 47, George Howarth (Tyre Ser­ Ltd., 1346, Pershore Road, Cadogan Street. Radio Merchandise Co., vices), 165, Cromwell Road. Stirchley. Cable Lamp Co., 595, Ltd., 65, Farringdon Road, Frank Westerman (Whole­ Paisley Road, West E.C.l. READING, BERKS : sale), Ltd., 94, Dale End. H. Hyman, 12, West J. J. Eastick & Sons. Ltd., A. S. Duran & Co., 58. Midland Auto Components Campbell Street. 12, Errol Street, E.C.l. King’s Road. (E. & H. P. Smith), Ltd., Erlco (Electrical Services), 58, Cambridge Street. GLOUCESTER : Corke, Sons & Co., Ltd., Ltd., 18, Queen’s Road. Hillfield Cycle Co., 98, Motor Elec. Services, Ltd., 14, New Bridge Street, Snow Hill. Nettleton Road. E.C.4. REIGATE : Atkins, 63, Pershore Street. Direct Electric Lamp Co., Reigate Electrical Whole­ HARROW, MIDDLESEX : Ltd., 81, City Road, E.C.l. sale, 61, London Road. BLACKBURN : M. & Kays Distributors, J. Swindells & Co., 23, 41, St. Anns Road. London Provincial Factors, ROCHDALE : Larkhill. Ltd., Wanie House, Aylmer Hardman & Co., Ltd., The BRADFORD : HIGH WYCOMBE, Parade, East Finchley, N.2. # Baum, Yorkshire Street. Thomas Dyson, Ltd., 24, BUCKS : Magna Wire & Cable Co., Park Road. Erlco (Electrical Services), Ltd., 16-17, Devonshire ST. ALBANS : W. H. Armytage, Ltd., 26, Ltd., 18, St. Mary’s Street. Square, Bishopsgate, E.C.2. Electrical Services (St. Al­ Aldermanbury. bans), Ltd., Lower Dagnall ILFORD : Street. CAMBRIDGE : B. Finch & Co., Ltd., Ley LUTON : Negus Electrical Co., 22, Street. Electrical Services (St. SHEFFIELD : ___ Regent Street. Albans), Ltd., 1, Langley Flitton Brothers, 25-26, LANCASTER : Street. William A. Morton, 41, East Road. Harry Salkeld, 81, Penny Sheaf Street. Street. CARDIFF : MANCHESTER : SOUTHAMPTON : E. C. R. Mackadam, 33, LEEDS : W. H. Carson (Southamp­ Lower Cathedral Road. John Roberts (M/cr), Ltd., ton), Ltd., 9, Carlton Cres­ Robert Hardman & Co., 3, 39, Cumberland Street. cent. CHELTENHAM : Queen’s Square. D. 0. C. Littler & Co., Rich & Pattison, Ltd., 78, PJ.F.C.O., Ltd., Pifco TORQUAY : Pittville Gates. Woodhouse Lane. House, Watling Street. Stanley Cattell, Ltd., 9-11, COLCHESTER : LIVERPOOL : Nelson, Ltd., 41, Shudehill, East Street. Saunders & Co., St. John’s 4. Avenue. G. Raws & Sons, Ltd., WEYBRIDGE, SURREY : Harford Street, Mount Pleas­ 5. F. Knowlson, Ltd., 80-88, Manufacturers Accessories DUNDEE : ant. Oxford Road, All Saints, Co., 14-16, Baker Street. R. Kilpatrick & Co., Ltd., S. Hathaway & Co., Ltd., 5, Albert Square. 3, Pall Mall. 13. WINDSOR : R. G. W. Brown & Co., Smith & Cookson, White­ Maurice End, Ltd., Black- Erlco (Electrical Services), Ltd., 11-13, Princes Street. chapel. friars Street. Ltd., 412, William Street. AERIALITE LIMITED CASTLE WORKS - STALYBRIDGE - CHESHIRE ______L&l. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN

UN IT-TYPE METAL-CLAD DISTRIBUTION GEAR

FOR LIGHTING AND SMALL-POWER DISTRIBUTION

^.20 amperes at 250 Volts per circuit

Bus-bars protected with insulating shields

Standard 4-way and 6-way units can be bolted together to give any number of ways THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945

have been failed upon to perform a great variety of duties, ranging from ¿mall instrument work to high voltage for electrostatic pre­ cipitation or heavy current for electrodeposition. The illustration shows a typical installation of an automatic magnetic plating plant where metal rectifiers are used for three different functions— (I) D.C. current tQ.the vat, (2) current fo.r the rotating magnet to hold the w ork, and (3) D .C. supply for the variable speed motor rotating the magnet WESTINGHOUSE METAL RECTIFIERS WESTINGHOUSE BRAKE & SIGNAL CO. LTD., PEW HILL HOUSE. CHIPPENHAM, WILTS October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN XVll FRACTIONAL B -l HORSEPOWER T H) MOTORS The most popular in the country

Spigoted 01* Plain Endshields for direct mounting on the machine

Vertical, Horizontal, B TH products include all or Inclined Mounting kinds of electric plant and Sizes from £ H.P. to I H.P. equipment; and M azda, Three-phase up to 550 volts Mercra, and Sodra lamps. Single-phase up to 250 volts D.C. up to 520 volts

BTH RUGBY THE BRITISH T H O M S O N - H O U S TO N COMPANY LIMITED. RUGBY. ENGLAND /OCSjh. -/ xviii THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 POWER CABLES IN LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE

33 kV Cable Bridge crossing Canal in Accrington Area.

Testing a complete installation at Blackburn.

r*\URING the war we have carried out *-' Important contracts for the supply and installation of underground cables for voltages up to, and including, 33 kV throughout Lancashire. We have also installed extensive underground and over­ head systems to the special requirements S.W.A. Government Departments in this Area. Our Area Staff are fully equipped to deal with any urgent Power Cable problem or emergency [which may arise. Standard Telephones and Cables Limited NORTH WOOLWICH, LONDON, E.I6 Area Representative: Te!. Gatley 30S6. Contract Office: Tel. Warrington 672. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN

MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS TENDER SHEFFIELD CORPORATION ELECTRICITY None of the situations advertised in these columns DEPARTMENT. relates to a man bettceen the ages of 18 and 50 inclusive, or a woman between the ages of 18 or 40 inclusive, unless CONTRACT NO. 706. he or she is excepted from the provisions of the Control of Engagement Order, 1945, or the vacancy is fo r employ­ ment excepted from the provisions of that Order. TRANSFORMER. rPHE Electricity Committee are prepared to SITUATIONS VACANT receive tenders for the supply and delivery of the under-mentioned Transformer:— ROYAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE, SALFORD. One 20 MY A 33/11 kV 3-phase Double Wound Self-Cooled. Principal: J. E. RICHARDSON, Ph.D., B.Eng., Contractors desiring to submit tenders may M.I.E.E., A.M.I.Mech.E. obtain Specification and Form of Tender at this office on making a deposit of £2 2s. 0d.. APPLICATIONS are invited for the post of which sum will be refunded on receipt of a -‘Mull-time Lecturer in Electrical Engineer­ bona-fide tender. ing, to commence duties on 1st December, To meet the convenience of Contractors, 1945. two copies of the Specification will bo fur­ Applicants must have had industrial experi­ nished; additional copies may be purchased ence and be capable of teaching Design of at a cost of £1 Is. per copy. Electrical Machinery up to the Higher Any person or firm sending in a tender will National and London University Final B.Sc. be required to comply with the Standing degree standard, together with at least one Orders of the Council relating to the “ Pre­ other advanced electrical subject. Salary in vention of Corruption ” and to the standard accordance with the new Burnham Technical rates of wages and proper hours and condi­ Scale. tions of labour. A print of the Standing Application forms and further particulars Orders may he obtained from the Department. may he. obtained from the Principal, Royal The tender and accompanying documents, Technical College, Salford 5, to whom appli­ filled up as directed, must bo enclosed in the cations should be returned not later than official envelope supplied with the Specifica­ 15th October, 1945. tion, which shall not bear any name or mark H. It. TOMSON, indicating the sender, to be delivered to the Clerk to the Governors. Town Clerk, Town Hall, Sheffield, 1, not later than the first post on Monday, 5tli November, Tj'IRH of electrical engineers and contractors 1945. Tenders received after the time stipu­ shortly opening business in the South lated herein will not he considered. Scottish area invite applications from elec­ The Committee do not bind themselves to tricians and wire-men experienced in the accept the lowest or any tender. highest grade domestic and industrial instal­ lations. Permanent positions with good JOHN R. STRUTHERS, prospects and conditions are offered to suit­ General Manager and Engineer. able applicants over 51 years of age or Class Commercial Street. Sheffield, 1. “ A ” Servicemen. Men expecting release from September, 1945. the Services in the near futtrre are particu­ larly invited to apply. All applications will he considered and acknowledged.—Reply, FOR SALE giving full particulars of age, training and experience, and when disengaged, to Box No. SEARCHLIGHTS (sale or hire). Carbon Bods, 144. Phillips Advertising Ltd., 15, Wilton ‘■'Ebonite. Fibre Hightensite, Porcelain Road, London, S.W.l. House-wiring and other Cleats, Reels and Knobs, Mirrors, Lenses, Lamp Lowering and ANAGER required, with general experi­ Suspension Gear. T.R.S., lead and other ence in the manufacture of lead storage Cables, Winches (hand), hundreds of thousands M batteries. State experience and salary re­in use. etc.—London Electric Firm. Croydon. quired.—Write Box L.P.O., "The elec­ tric ia n .” 154. Fleet Street. London, E.C.4. T EATHER FINGER STALLS—Made of ACANCY occurs on editorial staff of a lead­ '-'Chrome Hide. Very strong and hard Ving electrical -engineering journal for wearing. Length 3 in. Price 4s. per doz. enthusiastic worker with a good general Prompt delivery. Sample on application.— knowledge of electrical industry, and desire Willson Brothers, Industrial Clothing Manu­ to enter journalism. Previous journalistic facturers, Epsom, Surrey. experience unnecessary. Applications treated in confidence.—Box L.Q.E., ” THE ELEC­ TRICIAN,” 154. Fleet Street. London. E.C.4. WANTED pO PIES of "THE ELECTRICIAN” from May, WORK WANTED AND OFFERED '“*1940. to December, 1944, are urgently re­ quired to meet enquiries from European T1UE will gladly undertake the making of readers who have been cut off from supplies ’’component parts, etc.. on our Lathes, during those years. Back number price will Millers, Drills, etc.—London Electric Firm. be paid by "THE ELECTRICIAN.” Bouverie Croydon. 'Phone: UPLands 4871. House, Fleet Street, London, E.C.4. REPAIRS PATENT AGENTS /LOOKERS—We can give good deliveries of ^Sheet Metal Vitreous Enamelled Electric ings patent agency, ltd., b. t . King, Cooker parts.-JOHX KING A SON (ENAMEL- KA.I.Mech.E. (Patent Agent). 146A, Queen LERSL Ltd.. PYRO WORKS. WHITTINGTON Victoria Street. London, E.C.4. ADVICE, MOOR. CHESTERFIELD. Phone: Old Whit­ Handbook, and Consultations free. 'Phone: tington 50. ■ City 6161. XX THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945

NIFE STEEL BATTERIES STOOD UP TO IT C R A S H went the enemy bombs on the aerodrome. The big stores hangar received several direct hits and was completely burned out. Later, a Wing Commander, after inspecting the havoc, wrote: 6 No attempt had as yet been made to tidy up the wreckage .... I found a pile of these batteries (NIFE). The wooden crates, insulators and stoppers were burnt right out, but the cases had not been distorted and the steel plates seemed to be still pretty good. . . . We made up some stoppers and on test the batteries proved practically as good as new after a couple of charge-discharge cycles.’ STEEL BATTERIES The all-steel construction of NIFE Batteries withstands shocks and stresses and their unique electrical principle, free from sulphatlon and corrosive fumes, Is proof alike against the extremes of overcharging or long periods of Idleness.

NIFE BATTERIES LIMITED h u n t e n d w o r k s ■ r e d d j t c h - W orcestershire THE ELECTRIC Established 1861 > The Oldest Weekly Illustrated Journal of Electrical Engineering, Industry, Science and Finance Bouvtrit Home. 154, Fleet Street, London, E.C.4. Telegramt; “ Benbrotric, Fleet, London. Telephone; Central 3212 ( Ten Lines). Midland, Office; Daimler Home, Paradise Street, Birmingham .■ Telephone; Midland 0784... Glasgow Office; 11 6 , Hope Street, Glasgow, Co. Telephone; Central 3970. The Offices of T h e F x e c x r i c i a n are closed on Saturdays In accordance with the "Five-day Week" plan adoptee by Benn Brothers, Ltd , and its associated publishing organisations. Until further notice the offices will be ope» between the hours of 9 a.m. and j.3 0 p.m. from Monday to Frida }. r No. 15 1 Annual Subscription 2«s No. 3515. LVol. CXXXVJ October 12, 1945 Overseas 30a. CHIEF CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE fore more factual than many which have Tribute to Engineers ...... 365 been made in praise of the industry; Views on Current Affairs ...... 366 for this reason, coupled with the fact Southern Post-war Coach ...... 36S th at Sir J ohn is himself held in some Institution of Electrical Engineers 369-373 esteem in scientific circles, his tribute to Time Study ...... 371 Electrical News from India ...... 375 tire achievements which Dr. D unsheath Electrical Personalities ...... 376 described is all the more appreciated. Transportable Power Units ...... 379 It Iras long been the opinion of many Progress of Lighting ...... 381 that the war-time history and experi­ Electrode Steam Boilers ...... 382 ences of the industry should be recorded Contracts Open; News in Brief 383 in some official way so that those who Manufacturers' IFar Record ...... 384 follow in years to come may learn of its Jet Propulsion 385 fight against the Luftwaffe, its prepara­ School Buildings for Scotland ...... 386 tion for the offensive which carried the Industrial Information ...... 389 war to its conclusion. So far as space Notes for Contractors ...... 390 considerations would allow, and ¡is the Toronto Hydro-electric System ...... 391 information became free from censorship. Comtímy News ...... 392 T h e E lectrician has already published many details of how the supply industry fared during the bombing of this country, Tribute to Engineers of new defensive and offensive weapons, TRIBUTE to the electrical indus­ of protective measures taken and so on, try’s preparedness for war was given but in Dr. D u n sh ea th ’s presidential A by Sir J o h n A n d er so n at the Institutionaddress is painted a word picture descrip­ of Electrical Engineers last week, follow­ tive of the whole of the activities of ing Dr. P. D u n sh ea th ’s presidential ad­ the industry in one comprehensive re­ dress on the achievements of the indus­ view. It is an attempt which few would try in the national effort during the past have willingly undertaken, .and which six years. Neither in the tribute nor in when attempted few could have carried the address were named, for obvious rea­ to such successful conclusion. sons, every branch of electrical engineer­ Falling as it does in the first year of ing but their authors said sufficient to peace since 1938, it is a foregone conclu­ leave without any doubt that but for sion that Dr. D u n sh ea th ’s term of office the electrical industry the war with Ger­ as president of the I.E.E. will carry with many would have covered a period of it the responsibility of making as widely even greater anxiety, while the measure known as possible the war-time experi­ of time might reasonably have been ences of the industry, but even if he longer. says no more than is in his inaugural ad­ Sir J ohn A n d er so n , as the Minister dress he will have already met that re­ responsible for the national pool of equip­ sponsibility to good effect. Further, in ment and spares in the early years of speaking of these experiences he can do the war and before, knows better than so with personal assurance, in that his most to what length the electrical in­ company was in the front rank of those dustry had prepared itself against every organisations which made possible many emergency, and his remarks were there­ of those military operations whose code 366 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 names have now become commonplace. day celebrations of the E.A.W. and was The spirit of team-work which made promoted by the E.D.A. It is, however, these tilings possible is the same spirit riot only a tribute to women’s war work which, if kept, alive, will ensure the in­ in trie electrical field, for included in the dustry assuming at an early date the exhibits' are a number of prototype large-scale development which was so domestic appliances, a model dining-kit- much in evidence before the war ; it is clion, a cooker with a four-heat super­ a spirit which, made more prominent by speed plate, a time-switch operated the common purpose of war, has perme­ washer and so on. The exhibition has ated the industry from its early days and behind it the goodwill of the Services, which if now applied to meeting the Government departments and the whole needs of the public, to beating down the electrical industry and represents some competition set-up by contemporary fuel small measure of the appreciation felt interests, will lead to further highlights in for the ideals for which the E.A.W. was the history of an industry already proud formed. The foundations of universal of its record. electrical understanding on the part of women, laid by the direct and indirect Development of Jet Propulsion educational work of this pioneer women’s HE subject of jet propulsion has be­ organisation, were the structure upon come one for general discussion since which were built the achievements in T The Electrician first published detailselectrical operation on the part of in the issue of February 25, 1944, and women during the war. the fuller history given by Air-Commo- A Southern Railway Example dore Frank W hittle in the James Clay­ T HE Southern Railway has already ton Lecture before the “ Mechanicals ” A shown its liking for /things electrical last Friday, is therefore timely. As has and its latest demonstration in this re­ already been explained in this journal the gard is in a coach of the future, in which electrical industry made a valuable con­ supplementary heating is provided by tribution to this wholly British invention electric panels in the coach floors. From and for that reason, if for no other, its the brief description given elsewhere it development is followed with interest. will be appreciated that the coach is of How near we were to losing the appli­ tho corridor type and among its appoint­ cations of jet propulsion will be appre­ ments is a form of lighting fitting new ciated from the abstract on p. 385 of the- to the Southern. The rolling stock of inventor’s description of early struggles this railway has had a hard task to per­ with engineering problems and difficulties form during the last six years, especially of obtaining adequate financial backing, in the weeks immediately preceding D- while even the Air Ministry itself was ’ Day, and the new coach which is being dubious of its future. The recording of displayed at the railway’s termini and the facts in the Clayton Lecture should chief stations is a suggested design for dispel for all time all inferences that the replacements. The reactions of the pub­ gas turbine is not wholly British, for as lic to underfloor heating is not yet we have said before, and as the inventor known, but following the experiences confirms, it was not until a working model made by the Northmet in 1941, with of a jet propulsion engine was in Septem­ similar heating in air-raid shelters, we ber, 1941, shipped to the United States should imagine that the Southern lias that that country made any appreciable nothing to fear save an increase in its headway. popularity as a travelling medium. Women’s Electrical Exhibition Industrial Design Display HE first exhibition to be held in this EFORE the British Industries Fair or any other country with a view to again becomes the shop window of all T displaying the part played by women inB that is best in Britain, it is the Govern­ the war in so far as the operation and ment’s intention by accepting a proposal manufacture of. electrical apparatus are of the Council of Industrial Design, to concerned, was opened at the Dorland stage in the summer of next year, an Hall, London, yesterday, Thursday. The exhibition of design in all the main exhibition which will remain open until range of consumer goods, including heat­ October 25, forms part of the 21st birth­ ing, lighting, cooking and all domestic October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 367 appliances. The display will not be so gated. The experiment is said to have vast as a commercial exhibition or trade been successful ; a number of hermit fair, and space will not be sold; it is, crabs placed in the vicinity of the elec­ however, intended to make the exhibit trode in Gullmar Fiord were unharmed; representative of all the prototype de­ while the current had no eSect on the signs which manufacturers have for too magnetic mines laid in its path. long been unable to show the public. Electricity in Italy In making these details known, the Presi­ HOUGH the war must have des­ dent of the Boai'd of Trade, Sir Sta ffo rd troyed or damaged much of the elec­ Cr ip p s , made it clear that acceptance of T trical generation and distribution system the proposal does not necessarily mean in Italy, the northern part of the country that industry is likely to get all the where most of the hydro-electric develop­ materials it wants, for “ no goods will ments are located has, apparently, escaped be excluded on the ground that they are serious demolition, in that there is so not yet on general sale or in quantity much power available that surplus sup­ production ”—inferring that neither the plies are being exported to the south. materials nor the labour for mass manu­ Less free from trouble, however, is the facture may be available even next sum­ country’s railway system, for whereas mer. The director of the Council of before the Germans took possession of Industrial Design, Mr. S. C. L e s l ie , is, the rolling stock, there were in operation however, hopeful, and is now engaged in 2 000 electric locomotives, there are now working out detailed arrangements for only 400. In a country where railway publication at an early date. The elec­ electrification plays so largo a part in trical industry is naturally, interested, the transport network, and where the for there are already available many shortage of coaL is limiting the use of ■ appliances and designs which are even steam locomotives, the loss of 1 600 elec­ now sufficiently important to warrant trical traction units is having a crippling wide display. effect upon the industrial recovery. A Swedish Experiment Radio Industry and the Services HE transmission of power from the HE close collaboration between the north of Sweden to the south and radio industry and the Services dur­ Tcentre of the country is carried out byT ing the war was one of the vital factors 250 kV overhead lines carrying 50 cycles in the defeat of the enemy, and, accord­ a.c. The increasing demand for power, ing to a statement by Air Vice-Marslial however, is giving rise to the need for Sir Victor Tait, Director-General of a transmission system of greater capa­ Signals at the Air Ministry, that useful city and the possibilities are being association is likely to be continued. He examined of using high-tension d.c. To informed the members of the British ■this end the A.S.E.A. Co., and the Institution of Radio Engineers on Swedish Board of Waterfalls, on August October 5 that a plan was being formu­ 27, tried the experiment of passing a lated by the Services to make a long- current at 2 000 V through the sea from tenu contract with the radio industry to Gullmaren on the Swedish west coast to undertake development work. Thus the Gisslehamn north of Stockholm in the industry would enjoy Government Baltic, adistance of 1 100 km. measured patronage and support, if only to a along the coast. Two iron electrodes, limited extent, and also the benefit of 75 m. long were used, one in Gullmar some of the fruits of the work of the Fiord and another oS Grisslehamn. A research establishments of the Services current at 2 000 V was transmitted from which might be applied to civilian uses. Gullmar Fiord by overhead line across As Sir V ic to r aptly remarked, a vigor­ country to Grisslehamn (350 miles), and ous development section of the industry the purpose of the experiment was to is essential if British radio is to main­ try to ascertain how on the return route tain the lead in the introduction of new the current would pass between the two and advanced techniques which it electrodes. The Navy had laid mag­ established in the war. Ho also ex­ netic mines in order to see whether the pressed the belief that if we successfully current would affect them, while the develop radio weapons they will act as effect on marine animals was also investi­ a strong deterrent to aggression. 36S THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 Southern Post-War Coach Plastic Heater Panels in Compartment Floor HE first of the Southern Railway’s Compartment corridor doors have inter­ post-war passenger coaches which are locking brushes to prevent draughts; slid­ being built for use between Waterloo,ing glass shutter ventilators are fitted to BournemouthT and the West of England, fixed outside windows of the compart­ and will, in due course, be extended to ments and corridor. The outside doors and corridor sliding doors have spring other services, has been inspected by an balanced drop windows. The electric heater floor panels are by Reinforced Plastics, Ltd., and the heater wires are interwoven in a plastic, the finished ele­ ment being moulded and completely en­ cased in insulating material resulting in a thin, flat, light and flexible panel which is claimed to be non-inflammable, damp- proof, foolproof and non-corrodiible. The panels being hard and glossy, do not re­ quire painting, and the heating wires not only fulfil their primary function, but con­ siderably increase the mechanical strength of the panel. The panels are so con­ structed that in the unlikely event of an element breaking there will, it is claimed, be no danger of fire or overheating and only a reduction of the heating effect. The heating elements, woven into an almost indestructible rock-hard insulated bond­ ing, do not exceed “ black ” heat and View of corridor of S. R. post-war coach, this makes the life of the panel almost showing type of lighting installed in the everlasting. compartments The panels used in the demonstration interested public at Waterloo and Victoria coach have a wattage of 180-200 and the stations, where it has been on view. temperature is thermostatically controlled. Several new features are incorporated in the coach which provides for four first TELEVISION PLANS and three tliird class compartments, ac­ The decision announced in Parliament commodating 48 passengers. Outside doors on Tuesday that television would be re­ to the compartments have been eliminated, sumed at Alexandra Pul'ace next spring will giving an unobscured view on one side be implemented with the least possible through large windows. To avoid con­ delay. The transmitter at the palace gestion at stations, intermediate door­ is undamaged, but a certain amount of ways are provided between third and first reconversion from war purposes is neces­ class sections, in addition to doors at each sary. ft is hoped that before the end of end of the coa-ridor. The length of the the year, tests for industry will be possible. vehicle is 64 ft. 6 in., against 59 ft. 0 in. At first, these will be of still patterns only. pre-war, and it is 3 in. wider than a pre­ The date for the re-opening of the public war coach. By careful attention to de­ service will be settled in consultation with tailed design the weight is not correspond­ the advisory committee. The extension ingly increased. to. the provinces will be pressed on as staf­ Diffused electric lighting is fitted in com­ fing and materials allow, but the time-table partments and in one compartment there will again be the subject of a recommenda­ are electrically heated foot warming panels tion by the advisory committee. The under the floor rug to supplement the B.B.C.’s intention is that the resumed general steam heating. These are to be service shall at the earliest possible installed in all compartments. moment once again achieve that high de­ A ventilation air duct has been provided gree of reliability and consistently good in the upper part of the corridor partition entertainment to wliich the Hankey Com­ with which roof torpedo extractors are mittee referred ■ when speaking of the sys­ connected, an air grille being fitted in each tem in operation before the war from compartment over the corridor doorway. Alexandra Palace. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 369 Institution of Electrical Engineers Opening of Session— Sir John Anderson on Industry’s Achievements HE opening meeting of the 1945-46 some knowledge, Sir John said there was session of the Institution of Electrical going to bo just as great need in the years Engineers was held on October 4, when theimmediately ahead for the qualities ' of T retiring president, Sir Harry Railing, whoinitiative, resource, courage and energy was in the Chair, presented the premiums and awards for the previous Session. Following the presentations, and at the invitation of Sir Harry, Dr. P. Dunsheath then delivered his Presidential Address, an abstract of which is given in p. 370. Mr. P. V. Hunter, proposing a vote of thanks to Dr. Dunsheath at the end of the reading, said it had been apparent for some months that an attempt should be made to give a picture of the achievements of electrical engineers in the war. Person­ ally, he had thought that the painting of such a picture would have taken some years to complete, but was agreeably sur­ prised that during the short time that had been available since Dr. Dunsheath’s nomi­ Sir Harry Railing Sir John Anderson nation as President, he had been able to that were displayed during the war. We cover the subject in his Presidential Ad­ had to recover our position among the dress. He knew of no one else in the elec­ nations, having sacrificed almost every­ trical industry who would have had the thing for the purpose of winning the war. courage to attempt it. The Address would We could do it, but we could only do it be looked back upon in the years to come by putting forth every effort and by as an inspiration. mobilising all the resources in skill and The President, before calling on Mr. technical knowledge (that, as Dr. Duns­ Haldane to second the vote of thanks, heath had shown, served the country so asked Sir John Anderson to speak. well during the critical years of the war. Pre-war Preparations Mr. T. G. N. Haldane, seconding the In response to this request Sir John vote of thanks, said that Dr. Dunsheath Anderson said he, with the rest of the could have chosen no more appropriate audience, had been fascinated by Dr. subject for his Address and no more appro­ Dunsheath’s account of the contribution priate person could have given it. It was made by the electrical industry of this an Address of outstanding merit and gave country towards the prosecution and win­ a very clear picture of the progress and, ning of the war. As a member of the above all, the adaptability, of engineers Government for a year before the war and during the past six years. All that had throughout the war with Germany, he had come about under the stimulus of war was, many opportunities of following the course in his view, the result of team work of events and, indeed, he was primarily directed to a common purpose. Not the responsible, as Lord Privy Seal, for the least important aspect of. the Address was preparatory work that was undertaken that it immediaitely raised the fundamental before the actual outbreak of war. Later question of—the war having passed—how on, as Lord President of the Council, he were we to find a similar common purpose, had special responsibility for the super­ and the team spirit which would enable us vision of the scientific effort of the nation to convert our swords into ploughshares? so far as it concerned the responsibility of The vote of thanks was cordially given. the Government, but despiite the fact Sir Stanley Angwin, proposing a vote of that he knew in some detail what was thanks to Sir Harry Railing for his ser­ being done from time to time in the elec­ vices as President during ithe past year, trical field, he had no conception, until said he did.so in order to assure Sir Harry he listened to the Address and the very that he had accomplished a great task and fascinating account Dr. Dunsheath had, had tackled a job and done it well. His given of the various developments in their Presidential Address a year ago gave a proper sequence, of the magnitude or even foretaste of the qualities which Sir Harry of the crucial importance of that contri­ had brought to bear in the Chair, qualities bution in winding the war. Speaking with which were based on his authority and ex­ 370 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 perience as an engineer and as a grealt in­ during his term of office and specially dustrialist. In addition, Sir Harry was thanked the Secretary and his staff, with­ a great humanitarian, and possessed that out whose help no President could do his personal touch which meant so much in work. They had carried the burden dur­ the relationship of engineering and matters ing the war years cheerfully, efficiently and in general. enthusiastically, and it was a burden the Mr. V. Z. de Ferranti, who seconded, extent of which very few were aware. He said he naturally had a great sympathy himself had been thanked, but. it was he with a brother industrialist, for though he who should thank Ithe members. The had a very hard task to perform, he was greatest privilege in life was to serve open to criticism from every side. It was and it had been his privilege to serve the clear that the institution had been privi­ institution in that year which saw the end leged to have such a man as Sir Harry of the war. It was his earnest hope that Railing as president, and he had com­ during the year of office of the new Presi­ manded the affection of all members. dent, when tasks of peace would have to Sir Harry Railing, in reply, expressed be dealt with, there would be the same his indebtedness to the Past-President, the co-operation and the same common pur­ Vice-Presidents and members of Council pose as there had been during the past. I.E.E. Presidential Address Review of Electrical Engineers’ War-Time Achievements OME of the contributions of British to enemy action at the end of any' month electrical engineers to the successful never exceeded 266 000 kW, much of Soutcome of the war were surveyed by the which was out of commission for short president, Dr. P. Dunsheath, in his inau­ periods only.* gural address to the I.E.E. on October 4. For strategic reasons it became neces­ Those contributions, he said, were so varied sary early' in the war to effect a major and extensive that it was only possible transfer of munitions works to the west, in the time at his and this, together with a reduction of load disposal to emphasise in the south-east, due to evacuation and the more outstand­ other reasons, involved a serious redistri­ ing. In the first- bution of electric power load. From the place, the mainten­ beginning of the war to the end of 1943, ance and extension of an additional 544 miles of 132 kV line were the various essential erected, together with 123 miles for lower home services by the voltages. This change in load distribution electrical engin e e r resulted in heavy' transfers of energy be­ had played a vital tween areas, and consequently' imposed a part in the conduct very' onerous task on the national cont'o' of the war. Elec­ organisation. For instance, between the tricity entered into beginning of the war and 1944. the South- every sphere of West England and South Wales area modern warfare, par- changed over from an export of 7 000 kW f. ticularly in the pro- to an import of 244 000 kW, whilst South- Dr. P. Dunsheath ;! duction of munitions East England changed over from an im­ and in 1939 the vast and immediate ex­ port of 96 000 kW to an export of 292 000 pansion in the manufacture of war sup­ kW. plies involved the supply undertakings in During the five y'ears from Jan. 1, 1939, extensive development. to Dec. 31, 1944, new generating sets in Hundreds of factories with individual individual sizes up to 60 000 kW in 73 loads up to 50 000 kW, as well as bar­ different- power stations provided a total racks, encampments, searchlight stations additional capacity of 3 896 000 kW, along and aerodromes sprang up all over the with boiler capacity for over 49 million country'. The heavy' bombing attacks on lb. of steam per hour. The concentration this country caused less damage to supply of the manufacturing industry of the coun­ installations than had been anticipated. In try on munitions made it necessary' to cur­ all cases, equipment supplied from the tail very materially' the normal plant ex­ national pool made a great contribution tension programmes. Towards the end of to the effecting of temporary repairs, so the war the generating plant was barely that services could be resumed within a sufficient to meet the requirements. During few days. The total loss of generating- station output capacity in the country due * The E lectrician, May 110 1945, p. 418. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 371 the war period the installation of new To meet the enormous expansion in the generating plant was attended by many land services, the underground trunk tele­ difficulties due to shortage of labour and phone plant was also increased from 6 material, yet there were a number of ex­ million miles of single wire in September, amples of rapid construction of new power 1939, to nearly 11 million in April, 1945, stations which constituted a triumph for i.e., almost doubled. In addition to the British engineering. permanent systems a number of emergency In addition to the problems, already re­ routes were set up following the fall of viewed, which faced the electrical engi­ France, to pro­ neer responsible for power supply he had vide service in the difficulties of securing adequate sup­ the event of plies of suitable coal and labour for main­ invasion or of tenance, so that there could be no ques­ wides p r e a d tion that the successful operation of a damage to main system of public supply stations with an routes. Much output in 1944 of over 38 000 million kWh, progress was with an increase since 1939 of nearly 12 000 made during million kWh, was an outstanding perform­ tho war in the ance. This increase in output of 45 per equipment used cent, was achieved notwithstanding a re­ on audio, car­ duction of 27 per cent, in the personnel rier and coaxial of electricity undertakings. systems. As the supply of electric power for in­ On the radio dustrial purposes was a prime war-time side, the Brit­ necessity, so was the maintenance and ex­ ish Post Office tension of communications between dif­ contributed in ferent parts of the country and overseas. many' ways to In this field the British Post Office pro­ the prosecution vided a vast private-circuit network for of the war. During the the operational, meteorological and admin­ Battle of istrative traffic of the fighting and allied France in 1949, Services, and enlarged its peace-time trunk high - power system to reduce delays in priority traffic long - w a v e concerned mainly with the supply' of muni­ transm it ting tions. The number of long-distance private stations in this telephone circuits over 25 miles in length country were in use for war purposes reached a peak in sucessf u 1 1 y August, 1944, of 9 300, or one-and-a-lialf used to inter­ Cupid, the unit developed times tho size of the whole pre-war public fere with radio for searching and following trunk system, while on the telegraph side messages sent the VI flying bomb the corresponding increase was four times. out by Ger­ man Army' headquarters to forward headquarters and tanks, thus reducing Allied losses considerably and permit­ ting a longer . time for a more orderly retreat. The advantage of short-wave radio was largely exploited by the British Post Office during the war. In order to cause confusion to the enemy flying over this country, the Post Office in 1940-41 picked up navigation signals sent out by the enemy and re-radiated them from comparatively low-power trans­ mitters situated in this country. During air-raid “ alerts,” to prevent broadcasting transmitters being used by the enemy as navigational aids, each broadcasting sys­ tem had two or three “ spoiling ” stations operating simultaneously. Crystals having identical performances controlled the oscil­ lators of this family of stations so that they transmitted on precisely the same wavelength. Many' disasters due to enemy action over­ Glaxo, the latest development in A.A. fire took the Post Office during the war y'ears. control radar An example was the incident of May 10, 372 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 1941, when a high-explosive bomb on the sea by the enemy, although the capture of Old Bailey severed 18 audio cables, 6 Malaya resulted in the loss of one cable carrier cables and 4 coaxial cables, inter­ route to Australia. Many hundreds of re­ rupting 5 200 working circuits, mainly long­ pairs to cables had to be carried out during distance. • the war, and some thousands of miles of No description of war-time telecommuni­ enemy cable were used to strengthen the cations would be complete without some network. reference to submarine cables and cable .The enormous quantities of Press traffic, ships. The main responsibility for com­ etc., were mainly cleared on wireless cir­ munication with the Continent rested on cuits, the number of which was increased the British Post Office submarine-cable net­ by about 50 per cent, during the war; and work, the maintenance of which depended on this long-distance service an outstanding at the outbreak of war on two small repair war-time technical development was the im­ ships, the Monarch (1 150 tons) and the provement of continuity by the extension Alert (940 tons), with a rather larger vessel, of relay working. Another remarkable de­ the Ariel (1 500 tons), under construction. velopment in British electrical engineering A fourth, the Iris, was ordered immedi­ enterprise during the war in connection ately and commissioned eight months later. with this Empire system had been the rapid In the coui'se of their work, cable ships were development of wireless transmission of sitting targets for hours at a time, and it photographs, drawings, etc. Although the was not surprising that casualties were whole of the London photo-telegraph heavy. After the Alert and the Iris had apparatus was lost during the “ Blitz ” in laid the first submarine cable to the Nor­ May, 1941, 2 000 facsimiles were heing ex­ mandy beach-head two duys after the changed monthly over direct circuits be­ initial landing, the former was sunk with tween London and the principal cities of the all hands on February 24, 1945, while re­ world. pairing the Anglo-Belgian cable off Broad- stairs, and finally the Monarch was lost Broadcasting Developments on April 16, 1945. Prior to D-Day, in addi­ A telecommunication service which had tion to maintenance and repair work, tliis played an important part in.our war effort fleet laid, at different points around the was that of broadcasting. In spite of all coast, eight major cable schemes totalling the war-time difficulties, the listening 375 nautical miles, and, since D-Day, a total audience at home actually increased, from of 559 nautical miles between this country under 9 million licences in 1939 to close on and the Continent. 10 million at the present time. To-day, as The war period had brought extensive the result of the war-time efforts of our elec­ activity in the design and manufacture of trical engineers, this country possessed the cables of all kinds. In communication cables world’s largest long-wave broadcasting for land use very little development work station, capable of delivering to the aerials had been involved in the audio-frequency a power of 800 kW, as well as the world’s range. Improvement was, however, called largest short-wave broadcasting station, at for in the design and manufacture of coaxial which there were 12 transmitters, each cap­ cable transmitting frequencies from 60 kc/s able of delivering a power of 100 kW to the to 2 Me/s, in which a pair consisted of a directional beam aerials, of which there central solid conductor and an outer tubu­ were 51. To improve home reception dur­ lar conductor. Between 1939 and 1945 ing the “ Blitz ” and to provide for local over 400 main audio cables of various broadcasting in the event of the interrup­ lengths and sizes were installed by the Post tion of communications by invasion, the Office, 36 12-channel carrier cables (28 be­ B.B.C. built and operated 64 small broad­ ing wholly or partially equipped for 288 casting stations. These were finally closed telephone circuits) and five coaxial schemes on July 28, 1945, when the B.B.C. changed were brought into service. over to the first instalment of peace-time Submarine Cable Communications broadcasting. All these transmitters were Throughout the war the Allies’ com­ synchronised on one wavelength, an out­ munications, with their navies, armies and standing technical achievement. air forces, as well as the carrying of enor­ Dr. Dunsheath went on to deal with the mous quantities of Press traffic and per­ contribution of electrical engineers in the sonal messages for Forces overseas, had de­ production of “ Operation Pluto,* the de­ pended largely on the British Empire net­ struction of magnetic mines,** the metadyne work. A secret telegraph network for the system for gun control, radar,*** the de­ Services was provided mainly by the sub­ marine cable system, a network of 155 000 * “ Operation Pluto ,r was described in nautical miles, which suffered many vicissi­ The Electrician, p. 461, May 25, 1944. tudes due to enemy action and other ** The E lectrician, p. 482, June 1, causes. The complete cutting of all five 1944. cables between Gibraltar and Malta was the *** T he E lectrician, August 17, p. 156, only case, however, of cables being cut at and August 24, p. 183. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 373 velopment and production of electronic million kWh at 100 per cent, efficiency. valves and cathode-ray tubes, and the de­ Dr. Dunsheath mentioned that the cyclo­ velopment of wireless technique. He also tron was a remarkable development of tho referred to the extensive co-operation which mass spectrograph of J. J. Thomson and was built up between the Services and.the Aston, invented at Cambridge 30 years ago. electrical industry for the purpose of solv­ He added that it was gratifying to know ing tho many problems of design and pro­ that during the last few months the re­ duction which continually arose, and to the search programme had been extended in valuable war-time function fulfilled by the three of the large electrical engineering well-established research organisations of laboratories in this country, where problems the large electrical manufacturers in this were now being solved for the Government. country. - It was not to be lightly anticipated that Illumination Problems tho great success achieved so rapidly in re­ Many illumination problems, he said, leasing atomic energy would open up at claimed the attention of the electrical en­ once a new practical source of power, as gineer; for instance, the development of the there were many difficulties still to be over­ highest-power searchlight in the world so come. Recently, however, it had been far constructed, giving 1 000 million c.p., found possible to control a chain reaction was no mean, achievement, and with it went generating heat continuously from nuclear a protracted study of photometric proper­ energy, and it was practically certain that ties of the atmosphere by means of instru­ this work would quickly' advance to the ments sent up to 30 000 ft. As the result of stage of providing energy for the electrical these experiments, bomber crews were industry. Let them hope that this offspring briefed with a proper knowledge of the im­ of war might thus be tamed to peaceful portant effects of haze and night sky illu­ uses and that the electrical engineer would mination. be able to contribute-still further by mak­ Electric heating with sensitive thermo­ ing atomic energy available as a boon to static control provided an answer to the mankind. freezing up of sirens in cold weather, and FUTURE OF ELECTRICITY some of them were modified to utter an Mr. Shinwell announced in the House of alternative kind of howl as an intimation, Commons on Tuesday that he hoped to of an imminent raid. Special war-time elec­ make a statement in the very near future trical requirements typified by generators concerning Government policy on the for “ degaussing ” equipment and instru­ future of the gas and electricity supply ments for aircraft were legion, but also industries. there had been many ways in which the Colonel Thornton-Kemsley (C., Kincar­ electrical engineer had helped the war effort dine and Western) asked if Mr. Shinwell in unusual directions. The application of was aware that electric power companies vacuum technique developed in valve had set aside £ 100 000 000 sterling for post­ manufacture gave the solution for the war expansion, but that the Government’s freeze-drying of penicillin. proposals for nationalisation in the indus­ Among the manufacturing processes try had created an uncertainty unfavour­ which had been developed by the electrical able to industrial expansion, and what engineer for the conduct of the war, should steps he proposed to take to ensure that be mentioned high frequency heating, in cheap electric power was made available which the technique of radio at frequencies at the earliest possible date in all rural up to megacycles per sec. had been applied areas. to the heating of metals by induction and Mr. Shinwell replied that he was aware of non-conductors (such as thick plywood many electricity supply undertakings had for propeller blades) by dielectric loss. prepared schemes for post-war develop­ The recent dramatic revelation of the ment, and in considering the organisation progress made secretly during the war years of the industry he would not overlook those in the release of atomic energy must make schemes nor the necessity of improving a strong appeal to the imagination of all electricity supplies in rural areas. electrical engineers. In the first place, with­ It is interesting to note that extensive out detracting in any way from the wonder­ plans for rural electrification have been ful achievements of the physicists in this drawn up by the Incorporated Association epoch-making development, it might be of Electric Power Companies. They have stated that the contribution of the electrical informed the National Farmers’ Union, engineer had been of great consequence. with whom there is to be a standing On a theoretical computation, one ounce liaison committee, that they are to start of matter transformed entirely into heat at once to extend their services. The as­ energy would convert a million ton's of sociation agrees to minimise and wherever water into steam. If the whole of the possible to avoid capital contributions by matter were converted it would only re­ farmers towards the cost of carrying the quire a mass of 1 lb. to generate over 10 000 supply to out-of-way areas. 374 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 Time Study By JOHN W. HENDRY, F.R.Econ.S., F.I.F.M. ECENTLY there has been evidence of the inefficiencies revealed by time study, a growing appreciation of time and corrects and reduces fatigue-causing Rmotion study as a contributory factor toelements. the resolving of industry’s many problems. By the application of time study The impact of the war has brought about measurement an equitable distribution of a demand for more accurate data on work- incentive bonus is possible, and further, because of its factual reliability, ensures that once the target, is set, incentive tiso schemes can bo installed with safety. I '50 Its main contribution, however, lies in / the fact that the overall efficiency is pulled «§ MO up to a measured level before the incen­ \ n o tive award becomes operative. (See Fig. 1.) / Pre-war, it was considered that the "&ro I average operator efficiency, all other ^!00 1 factors being equal, was only 75 per cent, 90 V of that of the Americans, certainly the Paym ent s '■arts average day work rate was approximately ■■ 70 V 'ua this figure as compared with time rate (or 60 intpod uc & bonus received). During the war the posi­ fan. May I M Sep. Nov. Jan. Man. May tion has worsened, the influx of women, the introduction of dilutees, outworkers, etc., have all depressed our total efficiency Fig. 1.—Operator efficiency still further. performance than that furnished by the Time study by its qualifying system of traditional system of rate-fixing. rating ensures a raising of this standard. Further, the piece-work system has had It would be unreasonable to set a target its faults exposed and the recent trade that only the best operator could reach disputes, together with the not so occa­ and obviously unmoral to restrict earnings, sional fantastic bonus payments, have re- because of the profit motive alone. Wages .vealed the weakness of basing payment of must be paid for a standard of workman­ results on arbitrary standards. ship, quality and quantity, that will com­ With the war over, and the contracts pare no less favourably than with any with the sole purchaser, i.e., the Govern­ other organisation, firm, trade or industry. ment, coming to an end, the implacable In order to accomplish this, an average battle between cost price and selling price must be taken. Time study measures the is about to commence. work done by an average operator, under Cost control and all that it implies will average conditions, exhibiting an average prove to be the dominant factor in the degree of skill and working at an average industrial economics post-war era; high speed. If the operator being studied is wages will probably be the keynote of above the average, he is rated high, if labour’s demands, and this may not be a below, rated low, and thus a “ norm ” is bad thing, providing that high wages produced, to which allowances are added mean high output, which in turn means for fatigue, relaxation and personal needs; low unit cost. this, then, results in ■ a target in hours, It is in this connection that time study units, or a combination of both, to con­ and its corollary, motion study, can be of form to the costing system. most assistance. High wages and low costs demand two Detecting the “ Square Peg ” early requirements; they are: (a) Each Because the “ norm ” is based, there­ wage earner produces a measured effective fore, on average, it follows that the return for wages paid. (b) A critical abnormal worker receives more in the form analysis is made of each job-task to find of incentive, whilst the sub-normal re­ the “ one best way.” mains static. This, of course, provides a Time study by its measurement of effec­ basis for comparison and the expensive tive human endeavour ensures a fair “ square peg ” can be easily discerned and Totum for the wages paid—fair, that is, to the appropriate measures taken to correct both employer and employee; also by its the condition. analytical breakdown of the work-task, it Reference to Fig. 1 shows how the spotlights inefficiencies. measured efficiency before the incentive Motion study and economy, working on was applied was 76 per cent. This means October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 375 that to reach an output of 100 per cent, to which amount should be added the in­ to compete on output with a. firm which centive payment of 2/- @ 56 per cent. uses time study, an extra 31.5 per cent, = 1/lid . of lalbour is required. . 1/lid. plus.2/6£- = 3/8id., or a saving Assuming an average labour rate of 2s. of 1 ffiid. per labour hour. plus 100 per cent, overheads, output of It will be observed that the greatest 100 then costs : saving is in the overhead charge; this is Rate 2 /- due to the phenomenon of greater output O.H. 2 /- for the same cost, thus reducing the, cost per unit. 4/- plus 31.5 per cent, (to com­ • It is reliably assumed that only 5 per pensate for the ineffi­ cent, of British industry uses time study, ciency ratio) = 5 / 3d. so, according to this figure, tho total of But at the other end of the scale the 95 per cent, or 10 000 000 employables are efficiency is 156 per cent., so the 100 to not accuratedly measured. be attained, only requires 64 per cent. : Following this assumption through, it 2/- wage rate. may be stated with some justification that 2 /- O.H. only 5 per cent, of the 245 000 employing agents just do not know what their labour 4/- 64 per cent. = 2/6fd. should be costing them. Electrical News from India From Our Own Correspondent F the necessary plant and equipment Rs. 19 0S0 111, and this was to be charged arrive in Ceylon within two years from against the 1937 Public Works Loan. Inow, as is anticipated, it should be pos­ There is no balance now available on the sible to supply current from the Ceylon vote provided to meet the increased cost Hydro-Electric Scheme in 1948, states the of the scheme, and though tho money is Minister of Communications and Works, not required immediately, it will be needed Mr. J. L. Kotalawala, in his observations two years hence when, on the delivery of on the supplementary estimate placed the machinery and equipment, payments before the State Council in connection with will begin to fall due. The funds already tho increased cost of the scheme as a result released for the scheme—Rs. 15 000 000— of the war. will be sufficient to meet actual commit­ According to revised quotations, an ments for the next year. additional sum of approximately Rs. On the suggestion of the Municipal Com­ 9 500 000 is , required for tho scheme. missioner, Mr. M. G. Punniacotty, the About 65 per cent, of the civil and engi­ Municipal Council of Calicut, South India, neering work has been completed up to has decided to negotiate with the West date. Coast Electric Supply Corporation for Contracts for pipe lines, electrical and acquiring the right of distribution, and mechanical work were placed with British authorised the Chairman of the Council, firms in 1939, but the contracts have been Rao Bahadur K. V. Suryanaxayana Ayyar, held in suspense owing to the war. In and two other members of the Council to May last year a note was sent to the meet the management of the supply cor­ Secretary of State for the Colonies stress­ poration in this connection. ing the importance of the early construc­ The Administration Report of the South tion of the scheme for the general economic Indian State of Mysore, for 1933-44, states development of the country; it was also that the total outlay on the civil engineer­ pointed out that the existing generating ing works relating to the Jog power scheme plant is fast nearing the end of its useful in Mysore up to the end of June, 1944, was life, and that a new source of supply would Rs. 15 280 000; the outlay incurred on the have to be secured within the next five electrical portion of the scheme was Rs. years. A request was, therefore, made to 1 394 361. the Secretary of State for the earliest pos­ The total expenditure incurred under sible allocation to the contractors concerned hydro-electric works amounted to Rs. of all materials needed for the manufacture 677 497. Some of the larger construction of equipment. works had to be suspended for want of The original estimate of the cost of the necessary materials. whole hydro-electric scheme (including a The Dewan of Mysore, Mr. N. Madhava sum of Rs. 145 313 spent on extensions at Rau, in the course of his Budget speech in Watawala where the scheme is located) was the Mysore Representative Assembly, re­ 376 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 ferred to hydro-electric development in but provision has been made for increasing the State, and'said that in spite of various the capacity to 120 000 kW. If the whole difficulties and set-backs, very good pro­ of this power is to be profitably utilised it gress has been made on the construction will be necessary to remodel and extend of the Jog works. The outlay on civil the transmission system and to establish works is about Rs. 17 900 000, against a a number of new transformer and sub­ provision of Rs. 26 400 000 in the revised stations. The probable cost of these ex­ estimate. The Karagal anicut, the fore­ tensions is Rs. 5 crores, which is to be bay and the materials track have been spent over a period of years. The total completed, while work on the main dam capital investment on the State’s electrical and the power canal and the erection ol undertakings will thus have risen to about penstocks is progressing satisfactorily. Rs. 16 crores. Details and specifications The generating capacity of the station for the new schemes are being worked out during the first stage will be 48 000 kW ; and the cost is to be spread over five years. Electrical Personalities We are always glad to receive from readers news of their social and business activities for publication in this page. Paragraphs should be as brief as possible Birkenhead Electricity Committee has Regional Controller, Wales, and has ap­ appointed Mr. J. Anwyl, now assistant, as pointed Mr. Howell Owen as his successor. consumers’ engineer. Mr. W. J. Allum, secretary of the Read­ Rotherham Electricity Committee has ap­ ing branch of the E.T.U., and Mr. F. pointed Mr. R, S. Atkinson as power Taylor, assistant secretary, are standing station superintendent. as Labour candidates at the forthcoming Mr. Charles Caryll Baker, late chairman municipal elections in Reading. of the Kalgoorlie Electric Tramways, Ltd., Sergt. Arnold Watson, nephew of Mr. A. left £26 509 (net £26 442). Goward, Accrington borough electrical en­ The Sheffield Electricity Committee has gineer, who was taken prisoner at Hong recommended the appointment of Mr. I. P. Kong, has cabled that he is safe in Allied Campbell, generation engineer to the Hull hands. Corporation, as deputy general manager. Mr. William John Wood, an apprentice Mr. A. N. Duffett, resident construction electrical engineer with the British Thom- engineer at Rotherham, has been appointed son-Houston Co., Ltd., has been admitted deputy borough electrical engineer of a Freeman of Berwick, members of the Blackburn. family having been Freemen of the town The York Electricity Committee reports for centuries. that Mr. E. J. Nichols, the city electrical Mr. James Carson has been elected a engineer, will retire on reaching the age of director of Stewarts and Lloyds, Ltd., and 65 next February. appointed assistant general managing Mr. T. W. Dent, supervisor in the tele­ director in charge of tube production to graph office at the L.N.E.R. Central take the place of Mr. A. G. Stewart, now Station, Nowcastle-on-Tyne, has retired chairman and general managing director. after 45 years’ railway service. Flt.-Lieut. John Metcalf has been awarded Councillor P. Brady has been elected the Air Force Cross; he was awarded the vice-chairman of South Shields Electricity D.F.M. wdien a flight-sergeant. He was Committee in succession to the late Alder­ also mentioned in despatches for operations man G. H. Linney. in Egypt and Libya. Until early in 1940 Colonel W alter' MacFarlane, head of he was employed by the Automatic Tele­ Walter MacFarlane and Co., Ltd., has phone and Electric Co., Ltd. been nominated Deacon-Convenor of the At a farewell gathering in the Stockport Trades House of Glasgow. electricity showrooms, of employees of the The Battersea Electricity Committee undertaking and members of the Elec- recommends the appointment of Mr. John triciay Committee, Mr. G. H. Oidroyd, who Richard Jones, chief electrical engineer has retired from the position of electrical at Hammersmith, as general manager and engineer after 38 years’ service, was pre­ engineer. sented with a wallet containing bank notes. Mr. J. G. W. Pawlyn has joined the The gift was handed to him by the Mayor. board of Ransomes Sims and Jefferies, On his retirement after 48 years’ service, Ltd. He is chairman. Mr. Frank Ayton Mr. Samuel Carlisle, deputy general mana­ and Mr. Henry Deck are managing ger of the Belfast transport department, directors. was the recipient of a token of the esteem The Ministry of Fuel and Power has and regard in which he is held by his agreed to release Mr. William Jones, colleagues and staff, at a social party pre- October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 377

sided over by Lt,-Colonel R. L. M'Creery, was made to the design and manufacture general manager and engineer, who was of the Hais cable. recently demobilised. Mr. Kenneth R. Evans has been ap­ Mrs. W. H. Seymour has relinquished pointed manager of the education depart­ the chairmanship of the Blackburn Electri­ ment of Metropoli- cal Association for Women on health tan-Viekers Electri­ grounds. She had been in office for eight cal Co., Ltd. He years. was educated at Den- Sir Edward Wilshaw, chairman, and the stone College, Staf­ directors of Cable and Wireless entertained fordshire, and Sidney at luncheon on October 3 ut Electra House, Sussex College, Cam­ Victoria Embankment, W.C.2, members of bridge, and secured the staffs of the telegraph and Press cen­ second class honours, sorships who have been attached to the Natural Science Tri­ company’s London telegraph station. pos, in 1920, having Mr. Bentley Jones has joined E. K. Cole. returned to Cam­ Ltd., as assistant radio sales manager. He bridge to complete was for twelve years with the E.M.I. group degree studies after of companies and immediately prior to four and a half years’ the war was sales manager of H.M.V. house­ service with the Lan­ hold appliances. He joins E. K. Cole from cashire Fusiliers (3rd I.C.I., Ltd., where he has been engaged Salford Pals Battalion), in which he since 1939. held the rank of captain. Subsequently It is announced by A. Reyrolle and Co., Mr. Evans was admitted a corporate Ltd., that Sir Claude D. Gibb has been member of the I.Mech.E. and the appointed dep u t y I.E.E. and also the Institute of Labour chairman of the com­ Management. He went to the Metropolitan- pany, Sir Claude re­ Vickers Electrical Co., in 1920, and assisted cently relinquished Sir Arthur P. M. Fleming in his work as his appointment in director and manager of the education de­ the Ministry of Sup­ partment. He now succeeds Sir Arthur ply, and is chairman Fleming, who was the first manager when and managing direc­ the department was formed more than tor of C. A. Parsons, thirty years ago. and Co., Ltd.. Mr. Mr. J. Bloome has relinquished his ser­ George Wansbrough vices with Johnson and Phillips, Ltd., who is chairman of after twenty years in their transformer A. and Reyrolle switchgear and Co., departments, to take up Ltd., is a member of the appointment of general manager to the Development London Transformer Products, Ltd. Mr. Areas Treasury Ad- Bloome received his engineering training Mr. A. J. Bowron visory Committee, with the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical recently appointed to advise the Treasury' Co., Ltd. and at Royal Technical College in giving financial assistance to industry of Salford. under the Distribution of Industry Act, Mr. William Dixon, the new chairman 1915. Mr. Andrew J. Bowron, who has of the North-Eastern Centre of the I.E.E., been superintendent of the Royal Ordnance served his apprenticeship with C. A. Par­ Factory at Llanishen, Cardiff, was released sons and Co., Ltd., and joined Messrs. at the end of September by the Ministry Merz and McLellan, consulting engineers, of Supply to take up the position of pro­ in 1911, becoming a partner in 1937. He duction manager at the Hebbum works. was closely connected with the construc­ Sir Clive Baillieu, president of the tion of the County of London Electric Federation of British Industries, has re­ Supply Co.’s Barking power station, and turned from Paris, where he, with a party the building of the Littlebrook power of British industrialists, has been having station for the Kent Electric Power Co. conversations with leading French indus­ At the October meeting of the Coventry' trialists. Among those who accompanied Electric Club Mr. R. Court delivered a Sir Clive was Mr. F. C. Holroyde, presi­ lecture on “ Flame-proof gear and instal­ dent of the B.E.A.M.A. lations.” The author gave a brief historical A paper on “ Operation Pluto,” pre­ survey' at the gradual increase in safety pared by Mr. F. Shaw, of Siemens due to the improvements in design of Brothers and Co., Ltd., was read before, flameproof apparatus from the original the members of the London Centre of the “ gas-tight ” type, to the present day Institute of Traffic Administration at Buxton certified gear, including the main Alliance Hall, Palmer Street, Westminster, details of design of up-to-date equipment. last night, October 11. Special reference The meeting was well attended and an in­ 378 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 teresting discussion followed. Mr. F. W. Greenock Corporation as power station Godden was in the chair. superintendent. He then became deputy Mr. G. K. Palmer has been appointed as­ electrical engineer of Croydon Corporation. sistant managing director of Brush Coach- From 1925 to 1930, Mr. Parker was borough work, Ltd. Mr. Palmer’s first appoint­ electrical engineer and traffic manager for ment was with the Harrow Electric the West Hartlepool Corporation, and was Light and Power Co. During the 1914-18 responsible for the conversion of the West war he held commissioned rank in the Hartlepool tramways to trolleybus opera­ Royal Engineers and the R.F.C. and was tion. In 1930, he -was appointed by the mentioned in despatches. In 1920 Mr. London County Council as electrical en­ Palmer joined the Birmingham and Mid­ gineer of the tramways department. In land Motor Omnibus Co. and was ap­ 1933, on the formation of the Board Mr. pointed assistant chief engineer in 1921; in Parker was responsible to Mr. J. H. Millen, 1931 ho left to join Crosville Motor Ser­ tho then chief electrical engineer, for the vices, Ltd., and in 1939 was appointed electrical supply and equipment of the acting chief engineer, which position he tram and trolley ’bus systems. In 1937, has left to join Brush Coachwork, Ltd. he was appointed electrical engineer (dis­ Mr. T. H. Wlndibank, the works director tribution), and on February 1, 1939, be­ at the Chelmsford factory of Crompton came a principal officer and chief electrical Parkinson Ltd., when addressing students engineer, following the retirement of Mr. and visitors at the firm’s occupational J. H. Millen, and later he assumed direct training scheme prize-giving on September responsibility for all new works in the 25, emphasised that the Crompton Parkin­ department. son training scheme was designed to give With reference to the death of Mr. J. Y. equal opportunity to all boys regardless Fletcher, recorded in T he E lectrician of their parents’ wealth or social position. of September 28, Mr. W. H. . Wil­ He stressed that any boy with the neces­ liams writes: May I add a personal sary ability could rise to be works tribute to what has already been manager; in fact, his training would be written in remembrance of James directed to that end. He said there were Young Fletcher. I had the privilege and 153 boys in eight classes. During the past pleasure of being intimately associated with year, two students had been promoted to him for nigh on thirty years, and am student apprenticeships, three had been proud to have enjoyed his friendship. His taken from the -works to be trained as life’s work for the G.E.C. and for the elec­ draughtsmen, and one had gone to the tric lamp and lighting industry has been research laboratory. He hoped that spoken of, and is well known. It will before long the Crompton Parkinson long be remembered. “ J.Y.”, as he was scheme would be further developed. Mr. familiarly known, was a man of dynamic B. Hallows Garside, general manager of energy and determination, wonderful atget- the Chelmsford works, presented certifi­ ting things done, a great leader. He was cates of training to students who had a man of many parts—a great student of completed their period of tuition in the the Turf (he could name from memory the occupational training scheme. sires for generations of all prominent race­ The London Passenger Transport Board horses) ; he loved “ Diana ”—that was the announce that Mr. J. H. Parker, the chief name of his yacht; farming absorbed him; .... electrical engineer, is he was greatly interested in the theatre retiring on the and was a regular “ first-nighter.” A great personality, but with it all, a very human man, always ready to help; how much no one will ever know, for it was always done so very quietly. A real man, chief engineer respcm- and a much loved friend has passed and has left a gap that never will be filled. No- one will attempt that. Obituary Mr. Alexander Buchanan Selkirk, of D. B. Selkirk and Co., medical electricians, Glasgow. manager (road ser- Emeritus Professor William John Goudie, vices). who occupied the James Watt Chair of the Mr. P. Croom-Johnson Mr ' j H p arker Theory of Practice of Heat Engines at the has had 15J years’ service with the Board University of Glasgow from 1921 until he and the London County Council. In 1904, retired in 193S. He was bom at GirVan after a technical education followed by in 1S6S. During the 1914-IS war he was practical experience in electrical engineer­ engaged on research work for the Air ing, Mr. Parker was appointed by the Board. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 379 Transportable Power Units Special Equipment Designed and Manufactured for U.S.S.R.. N the April 20, 1945, issue of Tins impulse type stages. The steam chest, in­ Electrician reference was made to the tegral with the top half of the h.p. end of Imobile power stations supplied by the the cylinder, is equipped with two Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co., Ltd., automatically - operated governor valves for service in the U.S.S.R. A somewhat controlled by an oil relay system. These similar development is a transportable valves control the admission of steam to turbo-generator set designed and manu­ two nozzle groups, one of which deals with factured by the same company to the in­ loads up to approximately 350 kW, while structions of the Ministry of Supply, also the other and smaller group deals with for the U.S.S.R. This unit consists of a 500 kW turbo-alternator with condenser and auxiliaries in one transportable assem­ bly and, separately, a switch cubicle, and a case of loose items and spare parts. The main assembly is self-contained and is provided with skids to facilitate its dis­ posal near a suitable steam and cooling water supply. A complete set is shown in Fig. 1, where, with its foundation structure, it is being hoisted by crane. This structure is of fabricated mild steel plate and though light, is extremely rigid and free from resonant vibration. The turbo-set itself is a small deriva­ tive of the company’s self-contained tur­ bine, in which the condenser is integral with the turbine exhaust casing. It is of the single-cylinder h.p. impulse type, oper­ Fig. 2. —Side view of unit nearing completion ating at 6 500 r.p.m. with stop valve steam conditions of 214 lb./sq.in.g. 518° loads up to the maximum rating. On the F. The l.p. end is supported or, a steam chest a selective device is incor­ transverse beam and the' h.p. end is car­ porated to enable efficient running to be ried by the gear box. There are six rotor obtained at partial loads, by permitting wheels of which the first three are forged the smaller groups of nozzles to be first brought into use. The condenser is of the surface type, of 450 sq. ft. cooling area and is arranged axially beneath the turbine. Fabricated construction has been used for the con­ denser shell and the associated bottom half-casing of the low pressure end of the turbine cylinder. The c.m.r. is based on a vacuum of 27.5 in.Hg. and a supply of 935 gal. per min. of circulating water at 68° F. The main circulating waiter pump is of the vertical type, mechanically- driven from the main turbine shaft and mounted on the same spindle as the con­ densate extraction pump, which is of the centrifugal type. Air is removed from the condensate by a two-stage steam-operated air ejector, provided with inter- and after­ coolers. The main feed passes through Fig. 1.—Complete transportable power unit these coolers and thus the latent heat of being hoisted the ejector operating steam is conserved. In order to give an extra discharge head of solid with the shaft; the remaining three' 49.0 feet to the circulating pump, a hori­ are separate, being pressed on and keyed. zontal motor-driven booster pump is fitted The first wheel carries a velocity com­ into the cooling water discharge line from pounded stage, and the other five single the condenser. 380 THEJELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 Transmission to the 1 000 r.p.m. alter­ sertion in the open slots. The completed nator is effected through double-helical stator winding is vacuum dried and then single-reduction gears of ratio 6.5 to 1. A impregnated with bitumen compound flexible quill drive is used to couple the under pressure. turbine spindle and the gear pinion A The magnet wheel with its shaft and claw' type coupling engages the pinion on solid half-coupling is turned from a single the remote side, from a flexible shaft, forging. Robust field coils of copper strap, bent on edge and insulated with class B insulation, are fitted on to lami­ nated poles which are then secured by bolts to the magnet wheel. A shaft exten­ sion is spigotted and bolted to the end of the magnet wheel remote from the coup­ ling end. On this extension is turned the journal for the bearing and the seating for the excilei armature, which is over­ hung. Like the alternator, the exciter has pro­ tected type enclosure, and is fitted with a canopy. It is a standard shunt wound d.c. machine equipped with interpoles and with small cumulative stability windings to give Stability in operation over a wide range of voltage. The exciter is controlled by a field rheostat and for fine adjustment by an automatic voltage regulator. A direct-on starter is included to operate the booster pump mdtor. Tho switchgear is contained in a sheet steel cubicle type indoor switchboard, and is mounted separately from the turbo- assembly. The cubicle consists of four panels arranged for controlling the genera­ tor, the exciter and four feeders. There is, in addition, a small synchronising panel mounted on the hinged bracket outside the ■which is coupled to the iturbine spindle cubicle. The framework is robust and is and passes through the hollow’ pinion. The constructed to allow for slinging from a gear W'heel in turn is connected to the crane and levering into position. The alternator shaft by a solid type registered main doors are at the rear and are pro­ coupling. The gear case is fabricated from vided with locks. With the exception of mild steel plate and is split horizontally the isolators on the generator panel, which about its centre. are pole-operated from the rear, all The alternator is rated to give 500 kW switches are operated by levers mounted (625 kVA at 0.8 p.f.), 400 V, three-phase, on the front of the cubicles, and can be 50 cycles at 1 000 r.p.m. It is of the padlocked. The gear is designed for use salient pole, rotating field type, with six with either earthed or insulated neutral. poles on the rotor. Ventila­ tion is provided by a fan mounted on the rotor, air being drawn into the nrachine at the exciter end and expelled at the turbine end. To prevent falling water entering the end bells, a canopy is fitted. The stator yoke is made of cast-iron with internal ribs machined and key-waved to carry the one-piece circular stampings constituting the stator core. The stator winding is of dia­ mond pattern with coils in­ sulated with class B insula­ tion and formed before in­ October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 381 The busbars are sufficient in capacity for is provided with power factor compensa­ two 500 kW equipments and the switch­ tion, which can be switched out at will, board is so arranged that it can be paral­ and the regulator itself can similarly be leled with a similar set of cubicles placed cut out when desired. The switchgear for alongside. The generator control cubicle the station auxiliaries—circulating water carries the circuit-breaker, instruments and booster pump, forced draught fan, light­ their associated details. The circuitr-ibreaker ing and two spare auxiliary feeders—is also is of the 1 000 A (per phase) BL2 (type carried on the exciter control panel. Each fitted with three overcurrent and one un­ main feeder cubicle carries two complete restricted earth-fault releases, each with a feeder circuits of 125 kW capacity. The shunted time-lag fuse and mechanical equipment consists of knife switches with “ on ’’ and “ off ” indicator. The meters fuses, ammeters with their current trans­ comprise ammeter type SL, power factor formers, and neutral links. meter type FC, watt-meter type FC, and If it is desired, the power unit can at watt-hour meter type NEL, with their re­ once or ait a later date bo mounted per­ quisite current transformers. The exciter manently on concrete foundations, and control cubicle includes the shunt field thereby become an ordinary power house rheostat, the carbon pile type VP voltage plant. The power sets and their switch­ regulator, instruments and a series of boards have been so arranged that two knife switches with fuses. The regulator units can be run in parallel. Progress of Lighting Presidential Address Before The Illuminating Engineering Society N his presidential address at the open­ justified by accumulating evidence of the ing meeting of the Illuminating Engin­ effects of conditions of fighting upon human efficiency. Ieering Society, on Tuesday, Mr. H. C. Personal efficiency was one of the Weston pointed out that the society com­ indices of health and though there was menced its first peace-time session after no .single and simple method of measuring six years with a membership of more than the latter,’ if it was found that better twice the pre-war strength. The history fighting improved our efficiency it was be­ of lighting might have been very different cause our health was improved. . but for the effects of wars in Europe cen­ It was a great mistake to suppose that turies ago. ‘One of these effects was the the meagre values of illumination available disruption of the civilisations of ancient with artificial lighting in “ the good Greece and Rome, followed as it was by old days ” were adequate for comfort, centuries of cultural stagnation and retro­ health and efficiency. Most of the fine gression. The Greeks had. remarkable work done by our forefathers was done in street lighting, for example, in ancient daylight, and some of the old craft guilds Antioch, but it was only in modern times prohibited night work because it was likely That this amenity had ibeen a feature of to result in bad craftsmanship. our own cities and, even now, there was The new fluorescent lighting, which had much room for its improvement. proved- such a boon in our war factories, In the writings of the Roman poet, and in other places where war service had Lucretius—who described the atomic to be done without any daylight, had not theory of matter formulated by Greek altogether escaped adverse criticism. philosophers—occurred what was probaibly Much of this was misconceived, and t.he earliest description of glare. Yet, two some was due to installation faults and thousand years after the death of Lucre­ neglect of maintenance. No satisfactory tius, glare remained one of the most evidence that it had any ill-effects upon common faults of lighting. Every effort the eyes had yet been brought forward. should be made to eliminate it and rules of Bad or indifferent lighting was still wide­ practice for its avoidance were features spread. It was responsible for much dis­ of the new I.E.S. Code which was about comfort, strain, irritability and loss of to be issued. efficiency. Just because they were com­ There had been a steady rise, during the monplace, these supposedly minor ill-effects past 25- years, in the values of illumina­ of improper fighting were important. There tion recommended for good lighting. That was no need to look beyond them to find rise had been facilitated by the falling justification for our interest in the ad­ running cost of artificial lighting, and had vancement of the science and art of light­ naturally been encouraged by the lighting ing. and for the efforts of the Illuminating industry. But the upward trend of recom­ Engineering Society to secure better fight­ mended standards of illumination was ing in every field. 382 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 Electrode Steam Boilers Some of the Advantages Claimed for Use in Textile W ork OTABLE progress is being made with situated close to the drier and under direct electrode heating of steam boilers, control of the operators of the sizing plant. using a.c., which, for many smaller estab­ Prominent in this field are Bastían and N lishments in the textile industries, includingAllen, Ltd., whose standard electrode steam special laundries, has a number of advan­ boilers, vertical and cylindrical in shape, of tages compared with gaseous, liquid, or solid drawn steel, are available in sizes solid fuel firing. For many applications, within the range of 25-1 000 kW,- taking when current is a.c. at 346-440 V 3-phase, 50 cycles, and available at a evaporating 75-3 000 lb. of water per hour. reasonable price, Approximately the performance is 3 lb. say 0.30-0.60d. evaporation per kWh, within the range per unit, electric of, say, 2.85-3.30, according to the inlet steam genera­ temperature of the feed-water and the tion is no more steam pressure. The latter is up to 120 lb. expensive than per sq. in. gauge (250 lb. test pressure). by fuel in net The boiler has a dished bottom and a bolted annual cost, and flat top cover, being carried on four chan­ in some cases it nel iron legs, whilst the electrodes are made is cheaper. of cast-iron plate wrapped round to form Amongst the a circle, three in number (one for each advantages phase) dipping into the water, and sus­ are simplicity pended from the cover supported in heavy and very small porcelain bushings. The boiler is insulated size of appara­ with 2 in. magnesia-asbestos blocks in an tus, since no outer casing of planished steel with stain­ flues or special less steel bands and screws. ventilation are Simple in Operation necessary, so The overall dimensions for the 30-1 000 that such boilers kW range are 42J in. x 98 in. high and can easily bo 19 in. x 40 in. diameter, with a maximum placed along­ evaporation of 100-3 350 lb. per hour. Com­ Typical electrode steam side the steam- plete equipment of mountings and auxilia­ boiler using equipment. ries is provided, the feed pump being of Another feature the single-acting drum type direct-coupled is extreme flexibility of operation, as well to a totally-enclosed electric motor through as easy and convenient automatic control, enclosed oil-immersion gear, the size of the so that the boilers can be started up from motor being ¿ h .p . for the 30 kW boiler, cold in a few minutes, the change-over in and up to 1J h .p . for the 1 000 kW boiler. the rate of steam production to steam pres­ The control panel wall mounting has a sure being rapid. 6 in. dial ammeter, automatic and adjust­ In hosiery and knitwear establishments, able load control relay, motor starter for for example, the electrode boiler is par­ the feed pump, overload protection and a ticularly suitable for presses. It is usually set of fuses. operated at about 40-60 lb. per sq. in., either intermittently or continuously. Operation is simple, merely necessitating Often a battery of such presses is used, the the use of the starting or stopping switch varying demands for steam being supplied and the regulating handle to the steam easily and efficiently without waste of pressure required. Included in other steam and heat. These electrode boilers are advantages are no labour, a very high equally suitable for general purpose presses thermal efficiency, about 98 per cent, in the clothing trade, as well as special safety, and negligible trouble with scale. presses for sleeves, collars and vests. An­ other use is in modem cap-making and House Wiring Delay.—At a meeting of shirt factories, where steam is required Brackley R.D.C. it was stated that 26 generally at 15-30 lb. per sq. in. for block­ houses at Aston-le-Walls had been wired ing and pressing irons. In weaving for electricity in the early part of the mills, where warps and tapes, after passing war, but they could not be proceeded with through the sizing bath with pressure owing to restrictions. The Clerk stated rollers, are dried continuously on steam- that he had written to the Electricity heated drums, the electrode boiler is Commissioners, but so far no reply had. found to be particularly convenient, being been received. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 383 Contracts Open E give below the latest information No. 839). Particulars from Mr. R. A. S. regarding contracts for which tenders Thwaites, Electricity Department, Town W are invited. In the case of overseas con­Hall, Manchester; deposit £1 Is. tracts, particulars are to be had from the Sheffield Electricity Department, Novem­ Department of Overseas Trade, Millbank, ber 5.—-Supply and delivery of one 20 London, S.W.l (corner Horseferry. Road), MVA, 33/11 kV, 3-phase, double-wound, unless otherwise stated. self-cooled transformer. Contract No. 706. North of Scotland Hydro-electric Board, Specification from Mr. John R. Struthers, October 15.—Supply, delivery and erection Commercial Street, Sheffield ; deposit, of 132 000 V transmission lines. Speci­ £2 2s. fication from Mr. T. Lawrie, 16, Rothesay North of Scotland Hydro-electric Board, Terrace, Edinburgh, 3; deposit, £5 5s. November 6.—Supply, delivery and erec­ Stone (Staffs.) Electricity Department, tion of 11 000 V distribution lines in con­ October 15.—Supplies of underground nection with Distribution Scheme No. 2. main and overhead line materials. Par­ Specification from Mr. T. Lawrie, 16, ticulars from Mr. C. Scholefield, 56, High Rothesay Terrace, Edinburgh, 3 ; deposit, Street,' Stone, Stalls. £2 2s. Cumnock and Holmhead T.C., October 15.;—Electrical work in connection with the Overseas erection of 20 Swedish timber houses. State Electricity Commission of Queens­ Applications to the Town Clerk, Cumnock, land, December 10.—Supply, delivery, Ayrshire. erection, and setting to work of 7 500 kW Inverkeithing T.C., October 18.—Elec­ and 750 kW steam turbo-alternators, trical work in connection with the erection accessories, and evaporating plant at Wide of 48 houses at Hillfield. Applications to Bay Regional Electricity Board, Mary­ the Town Clerk, Inverkeithing. borough; Capricornia Regional Electricity Alloa T.C., October 24.—Electrical work Board, Rockhampton ; and Townsville in connection with the erection of 20 Regional Electricity Board. Tender Swedish timber houses at Hutton Park. forms from the Agent-General for Specifications from the Burgh Architect, Queensland, Queensland Government ¡Municipal Buildings, Alloa. Offices, 409-410, Strand, London, W.C.2. Hackney B.C., October 26.—Supply and Eire Electricity Supply Board, January delivery of six 500 kVA transformers. 28.—Supply, delivery and erection of the Specification from the Borough Electrical hydro-electric generating plant at Catha- Engineer, 18/24, Lower Clapton Road, E.5. leen’s Fall and Cliff stations on the River Manchester Electricity Department, Erne. Particulars from the Chief Design October 26.—Supply, delivery and erection Engineer, Electricity Supply Board, 26, of ventilating plants for No. 2 boiler house, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin, C.18, Stuart Street generating station (Spec. deposit, £5 5s. News in Brief X-ray Installation.—The Bradford Clinic Heating.—The Stretford Welfare Health Committee is to provide new X-ray Committee has asked the Borough Engi­ plant for Grassington Sanatorium. neer to report as to the practicability of Supply to Farmers.— The Nelson Elec­ the installation of tubular heaters, or some tricity Committee is providing supplies of other form of electric radiators for pro­ electricity to agriculturalists in the Rough- viding alternative heating at Trafford Park lea area. Nine -farmers desire such a service clinic. up to date. Exchange of Officials.—The City Elec­ Blackburn Sales Department.—The Cor­ trical Engineer of Melbourne, Australia, poration has agreed to the establishment has sent a letter to the Liverpool Electric of a sales and development section of the Power and Lighting Committee suggesting electricity undertaking.. an exchange of officials. The Committee Liverpool Savings Week.— 'Thanksgiving passed a resolution proposing that two Savings Week investments included: members of. the electrical engineering staff Automatic Telephone and Electric Co., from Melbourne should visit Liverpool to Ltd., £100 000; Cable and Wireless, Ltd., gain experience and that all necessary £50 000; Liverpool Overhead Railway Co., facilities be granted. Consideration as to £ 12 000; British Insulated Callender’s whether personnel from Liverpool should Cables, Ltd., £10 000; Radiovim, Ltd., visit Melbourne for the same purpose was £ 1 000. postponed. 384 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 Manufacturers’ War Record Searchlight Equipment for the Services OR the last forty years the London and so on. The drums were fitted with Electric Firm, of Croydon, have been junction boxes for sealing in the 3-phase, making searchlights or other supply cables, and the collector F of every description, rings remained stationary while the brushes including the largest rotated. Heavy worm and spur gearing for and the smallest in hand winding was used, and a hand brake the world, and their was available for holding the load. war-time activities A phenomenal number of hand winches included the design were supplied to several Service depart­ and manufacture of ments by the firm, who commenced the searchlights of a manufacture of earlier types nearly half-a- novel pattern for a century ago. These were required for multi­ special Service re­ farious purposes, including the raising and quirement. These lowering of aerials in the field, for portable equipments were tools in aerodromes, racks for workmen’s fitted with the clothes and a number of special uses. firm’s well-known Distance control, which has been one of high intensity lamp, the firm’s specialities for many years, has which has proved been further developed during the war i t s efficiency i n years by the provision of turning gears for many applications aerials, and accessory apparatus of pre­ A modern naval over a number of cision order for radio work. searchlight years, a'nd the The manufacture of the company’s well- generating plant, known raising and lowering gear for light­ automatic control gear and cabling were ing fittings has been continued, chiefly for also supplied. war factories and other essential services, Among other war contracts executed was including obstruction lights on chimneys one for cable winding drums, with en­ and masts fitted at heights difficult of ac­ closed slip rings and brushes in medium cess, sometimes as much as 240 ft. It is sizes, and large units for dealing with heavy essential to have a ready means of lowering cables for use in connection with sinking these lanterns for cleaning and maintenance pumps for clearing water from mine shafts, purposes. Workers-at-War Exhibition EVERAL electrical companies are par­ specimen sections depicting the develop­ ticipating in the “ Workers-at-War ” ment of the Hais cable in three stages—the Exhibition which was opened by Mr. George prototype, the two-inch pipe and the SIsaacs, the Minister of Labour and three-inch pipe that was finally adopted National Service, at Greenwich Town Hall, for “ Operation Pluto ”—as well as the on Saturday, October 6. It has been special coupling designed by the company organised by an industrial committee for joining sections of the cable. There are representing all the prominent firms in the also on the stand specimens of various 'borough, and the exliibits are typical types of power cables made for the fight­ examples of their war-time products, or ing sendees, aerodromes, factories and pictorial records of workers engaged on docks; and a wide range of tele-communi­ manufacturing processes. Johnson and cations equipment, including a waterproof Phillips, Ltd., show pictures illustrating portable telephone set developed by the bomb damage caused to their premises in company for jungle warfare, an electro­ September, 1940, and March, 1945; of magnet telephone transmitter fitted into one of the electric transformers built for an airman’s helmet, a telephone trans­ the U.S.S.R.; girls engaged on braiding mitter for use in a gas mask, a head re­ cables for the Air Ministry and the Ad­ ceiver and an electro-magnetic throat miralty, and stranding fine wires; the ex­ transmitter used by Commandos and truding of the lead alloy pipe for “ Opera­ others; various types of electric relays, tion Pluto,” special machinery used for and so on. laying the Hais cable, and the cable ship The Anchor Insulating Co., Ltd., show “ Holdfast” alongside the J. and P. samples of insulating materials used for wharf; and other war-time activities. war purposes; Brooks Crystals, Ltd., Siemens Brothers and Co., Ltd., display demonstrate the production of crystals October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 385 used in radar equipment; the Delta Metal 600-lb. A.S. bomb, as well as transformer Co., Ltd., exhibit a range of metals used tanks; the Anglo-Swedish Electric Weld­ in radio equipment, aircraft instruments, ing Co., Ltd., have pictures of war-time range finders, etc.; at the stand of J. welding repairs, sample welds and so on; Stone and Co., Ltd., are, among other the Telegraph Construction and Main­ products, a generator exciter as used tenance Co., Ltd., have on their stand on searchlight equipment, and castings for samples of their cables, and demonstrate the Whittle jet engine; Saxonia Electric the respective characteristics of their pro­ Wire Co., Ltd., in addition to numerous ducts, Mumetal, Radiometal and types of insulated electric wires and cables Rhometal, and also Telecothene sleevings made during the war, show a penicillin tank and mouldings, all of which had war-time electrically heated, using Insuglass heater applications in relation to telecommunica­ wire; G. A. Harvey and Co. (London), tions and radar. Sofnol Ltd. exhibit il­ Ltd., display photographs of their per­ lustrates the prevention of scaling in forated mild steel cable plates used for boiler tubes, etc., and the removal of various applications in warships and scale from pipes by Sof-N-it. The submarines, depth charge cases and a exhibition closes tomorrow, Saturday. Jet Propulsion Electrical Industry’s Association with British Development N The Electrician of February 25, 1944, components. Testing of the engine started some particulars were given of the de­ on April 12, 1937. Ivelopment of jet propulsion as far as it After the first series of tests the Air Minis­ interested the electrical industry, and for try placed contracts with Power Jets for this reason the remarks of Air-Commodore further research running, but the work was Frank Whittle, when he delivered the first still regarded as “ long-term ” research. James Clayton Lecture before the Institu­ Air-Commodore Whittle described the tion of Mechanical Engineers, in London, early difficulties with a series of progres­ on October 5, are of special significance. sively better engines, most of which eventu­ Air-Commodore Whittle first started ally broke down after test running. In the thinking about the use of jet-propulsion for summer of 1939 the Air Ministry ceased to aircraft in 1928. He applied for his first regard the development as a matter of long­ patent in January, 1930. His specification term research. Power Jets received a con­ was submitted to the Air Ministry, but was tract for an engine which could be flown, turned down on the ground that the practi­ and a short time later a contract was placed cal difficulties in the way of development with the Gloster Aircraft Company for an were too great. During 1930 he tried to in­ experimental airframe, known as the terest various firms in the scheme, but met E28/39, which became the prototype of the with no success. Meteor. In April, 1941, a Whittle engine In May, 1935, he was approached by two was installed and the aircraft left the ex-R.A.F. officers, Messrs. R. D. Williams ground for the first time. and J. C. B. Tinling, who suggested that Evidence from Germany had shown that they should try to get development started. the Germans started practical work on jet- Though the original patent had been propulsion gas turbines about the same time allowed to lapse through failure to pay the as ourselves—in 1936—but they succeeded renewal fee, the three decided to co-operate. in flying with this system a few days before the war. However, the engine they used They eventually succeeded in coming to was of a type subsequently abandoned, and an arrangement with a firm of investment successful flight trials with the new type bankers, which led to the formation of did not take place until some time after the Power Jets, Ltd., in March, 1936. The British flight trials in May, 1941. initial sum subscribed was £2 000, and, said The British engine with which the flight Air-Commodore Whittle, “ with this we trials of the E28/39 were carried out was cheerfully went ahead.” The President of the obvious parent of a successful series of the Air Council was a party to the agree­ British and American engines. ment, which resulted in the formation of Jet propulsion was only one way of using Power Jets, and the Air Ministry was a the gas turbine in aircraft propulsion, and shareholder from the' start. the gas turbine was the only one of five, Power Jets placed an order for the manu­ systems of jet propulsion developed during facture of the engine with the British the war. It has already been used Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd., in June, 1936. successfully in locomotives in Switzerland, Its specifications were beyond all previous and it may reach some prominence in the engineering experience in each of the major field of marine propulsion. 386 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 School Buildings for Scotland Planning Committee’s Electric Heating Recommendations HE report o£ the Committee on usually loaded at 60 W per foot and attained School Buildings for Scotland, No. 21, a surface tempeiature of 120°F. above the of the Post-war Building Studies (Sta­ambient, or approximately 200°F., but T guards were necessary to prevent accidents. tionery Office, Is. net) has just been pub­ Room temperatures could be raised rapidly, lished. Among those who gave evidence as the tubes reached the maximum tem­ were Mr. E. B. Doughty (Glasgow elec­ perature in about 20 minutes after switch­ tricity department), Mr. M. W. Hime ing on. Conversely, loss of heat was rapid. (district engineer, E.L.M.A., Glasgow), Mr. Convection heaters were robust and could G. B'. Miles (senior education engineer, bo loaded fairly high to give quick results. Central Council for School Broadcasting), The air was wmrmed and emitted at fair Mr. W. F. Mitchell (consulting electrical velocity, with the result that convection engineer, Edinburgh) and Mr. G. V. currents were set up. The placing of these Downer (consulting electrical engineer, heaters, therefore, required careful London). consideration. There were two types of Cost and Efficiency panel heaters—high temperature at 450°F. In the appendix dealing with heating and and low temperature at 120-150°F.—and ventilation of schools, the Committee state these should be guarded, unless beyond that the choice of a heating system should reach. Electric radiators were used chiefly be governed by two main considerations, for staff rooms. Electric hot-water radia­ cost and efficiency, the cost being con­ tors had been marketed for several years, sidered in relation both tc initial and to and recently oil-filled radiators had been maintenance expenditure. The systems introduced, but neither of these types could most suitable for schools were low-pressure yet be said to be popular. hot-water heating and electrical heating. Temperature Control For the former the source of heat might All electrically-heated systems were be electricity, using either thermal storage specially suitable for temperature control. or electrode boilers. Heating by means The economical running of the direct of electrical energy was practicable; method of electrical heating depended to a the various appliances and fittings were great extent on the attendant’s ability to robust and maintenance costs were estimate the time necessary for pre-heating low, but the running costs were higher in the early morning hours. Regulation of than for fuel-fired boilers with low- the early morning switching by means of pressure hot-water systems. The choice of time switches had been attempted, and fur­ the indirect or direct method would be ther developments would doubtless produce determined by economic factors. With the a satisfactory type of fitting. former where electrical energy was used The electric current for projection devices to heat water in boilers or circulators, these in classrooms, the report recommends, might be situated in any convenient posi­ should be obtained from a power point with tion, as no provision was required for flues, an independent switch. The equipment storage of fuel, or removal of ashes; the should consist of a three-pin, 15 A socket boilers were simple, compact and robust, with an iron-clad switch-fuse alongside. A but they operated on a.c. systems only. ready-wired spare fuse holder should be Opinions differed as to the economic value provided. All this apparatus should be en­ of thermal storage systems since, closed in a lock-fast- box fixed in a suitable owing to day-to-day fluctuation in the position on the back wall opposite the weather, more hot water might be accumu­ centre line of the screen. A second similar lated than was required. Systems without supply point might be provided at a con­ storage were cheaper to instal, but the cost venient position adjacent to the chalkboard. of the electrical energy required serious Dealing with the wiring of schools for consideration. broadcast reception, the report states that For a system where electrical energy was in a large school a centrally installed re­ applied directly to the heaters in the ceiver with loud-speaker circuits to the various rooms, several types of unit were several rooms was most satisfactory. If available. Tubular heaters were robust, and possible, the set should be accommodated 'the majority of manufacturers would in a separate room where it would be pro­ guarantee a life equivalent to five years’ tected from unauthorised interference. This continuous use. They were easily installed room, which need not exceed about 8 ft. sq., and could be readily adjusted if structural should not be too near the main switch alterations were necessary. They were room. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 387 Electricity Supply Salford.—The Light Heat and Power Co. Southport.—The Electricity Committee is seeking sanction to borrow £3 000 for recommends that subject to the approval meters. of the Commissioners, the cost of chang­ Poplar (London).—The Electricity Com­ ing-over consumers’ apparatus in the Birk- mittee is seeking sanction to borrow £1 000 dale area from d.c. to a.c., and any other for meter testing equipment. work incidental, be met from the surplus Rotherham.—The Electricity Committee revenue of the undertaking. is to provide supply to housing sites at a Coventry.—Sanction is being sought by cost of £3 077. the Electricity Committee to borrow £8 123 Wallasey.—The supply for the Mariners for additional plant at Longford power Homes and to the Manor Road area is to be station, £41 305 for the provision of . provided by the Electricity Committee at a supply to a new factory, and permission cost of £16 190. to utilise £10 000 from surplus revenue for Birkenhead.—Sanction to borrow £2 173 services and meters. for supply to temporary bungalows and Rotherham.—The Electricity Committee £66 600 for the power station site, is being is seeking sanction to borrow £22 650 for sought by the Electricity Committee. switchgear, cables and overhead lines for Birkenhead.—The Electricity- Committee the supply to Newton Chambers, and Co., is to provide supply to permanent housing Ltd., and proposes to utilise £3 500 sur­ • estates at a cost of £41 716, and to tem­ plus revenue for provision of supply to porary bungalows at a cost of £2 425. John Brown and Co., Ltd., at Aldwarke Witney (Oxon.).—The U.D.C. has asked Colliery. the Electricity Committee to submit a Hackney (London).—The Electricity scheme for the provision of electrical ap­ Committee has had under consideration pliances, including cookers, for houses on the question of the charge of Is. 6d. for the Hailey Road housing site. fuse replacements on consumers’ premises. Hull. — The Electricity Committee is The Committee understands that there is seeking sanction to borrow £50 000 to a difficulty in collecting this small charge, finance the resumption of the cooker hiring and is of opinion that a return should be scheme and £25 000 for the water heating made to the pre-war basis of no payment schemes. for this service. The revenue involved is Ilford.—The Housing Committee has ar­ approximately £150 per annum. ranged for the electricity department to Darwert.—The annual returns of tho provide mains and services to temporary electricity undertaking show units sold houses on the Forest Road estate at a cost (15 552 064) were double the output of the of £5 986. last pre-war year. Gross income was Blackpool.—The Finance Committee has £80 082, cost 'of current purchased was arranged to allocate £8 113 from the profits £44 881 and other expenses £21 206, leav­ of the electricity undertaking and £25 000 ing a gross profit of £13 995. After adding from the transport undertaking to the relief interest and grants of £879, and deducting of the rates. loan charges and income tax of £12 768 the Hove.—The Electricity Committee is net profit was £2 106. seeking sanction to borrow £105 225 for the Wallasey.—The Electricity Committee completion of the change-over scheme and has decided that the hire purchase by to utilise £30 000 from the reserve fund consumers of any electrical apparatus be for changing consumers appliances. allowed for periods not exceeding six years, Manchester.—The Electricity Committee and to apply for sanction to borrow £10 000 is seeking sanction to borrow £10 000 for for apparatus for hire purchase, and £5 000 corporation distributing stations plant, for mains and services in connection there­ £10 000 for consumers’ distributing stations with. Sanction is also to bo sought for a plant, and £18 000 for feeder mains. loan of £7 000 for supplies to housing London.— The L.C.C. Education Com­ estates. mittee is to renew the electrical installation Guildford.—At a meeting of the Housing at St. Olave’s and St. Saviour’s grammar Committee the Borough Engineer reported school, Southwark, at a cost of £1 288, and that the net cost of buying a cooker, wash- instal an electric cooking range at West­ boiler, immersion heater, and electric fire minster technical institute at £640. in new houses on the Stoke Hill estate Rotherham.—Terms have been arranged would be £27 10s. 3d. per house, adding for the supply to Mexborough U.D.C., and that quotations for refrigerators were not the Electricity Committee reports that at present available. The simple hire per feeders and switchgear will be required annum based on the average life of 10 from the Carlisle Street sub-station in­ years would amount to £3 Is. lOd. The volving a cost of about £6 478. Committee recommended that appliances be 388 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 purchased outright and that the electricity and the increase of £13 300 was the second department be asked to provide free main­ largest increase in expenditure. The net tenance throughout the life of the appli­ effect of the charges in income and expen­ ances. diture had been to reduce the profit from Sunderland.—The annual report of the £24 116 in 1943-44 to £200 last year. This electricity undertaking for the year ended is the lowest figure since 1927. Units pur­ March 31, 1945, the fiftieth year of operate chased totalled 186 546 427, compared with ing, shows that the total units sold num­ 187 540 743, a reduction of 994 316. Of bered 93 543 775 as compared with these units 173 649 945 were sold, com­ 93 698 575 last year, a decrease of 154 800. pared with 173 256 604, an increase of The revenue for the year from the sale of 393 341, so that the efficiency of electricity was £385 126, as compared with distribution rose from 92.4 per cent, to £365 059 in 1944, an increase of £20 067. 93.1 per cent. A decrease of 7 million units The working costs were £286 119 sold to other authorities had been offset (£272 219), an increase of £13 900. The by an increase of 7 millions in the units net trading surplus is £40 887 (£42 276), sold to ordinary consumers. The maxi­ a decrease of £1 389. The sum of £20 631 mum load of 44 660 kW was the highest is transferred to the development and re­ recorded in the history of the undertaking. newal fund. The average price per unit West Ham (London).—In the report of sold was .983d. (-937d.), and the average the engineer and manager, Mr. J. W. J. cost per unit .sold, .907d. (.948d.). Ap­ Townley, for the year ended March 31, paratus on hire for 1945 was as follows: 1945, the total sale of electricity is given Cookers, 4 041 (3 991), wash-boilers, 837 as 136 533 897 units, as compared with (832); water-heaters, 371 (368); fires, S82 135 175 727 for 1944. The decrease in (882); kettles, 3 470 (3 477); irons, 13 093 sales, as compared with 1939/40, amounts (13 094). In 1945, consumers numbered to approximately 205 million units. The 27 798, compared with 27 394 in the pre­ gross revenue (including sales department) vious year. for the year was £785 908, total expenses, Tummel-Garry Scheme.—At a recent £618 839, leaving a gross profit of £167 068. meeting of the local authorities’ Hydro- The net surplus for the year amounted to Electric General Committee the County £5 202. The number of consumers at the Clerk indicated that it was probable that end of the year was 39 420, as compared the Perth and Kinross C.C. would put with 40 503 at March, 1944, and over down in Parliament a motion for the an­ 56 000 at the outbreak of war. Approxi­ nulment of the Order in regftrd to the mately II miles of mains have been laid Tummel-Garry hydro-electric scheme. The for essential services during the year, bring­ Council, Mr. Marshall said, had been ing the totab mileage of cable laid to 535 very disappointed by the decision to carry miles. The total units generated during through the scheme. This was the only the year was 111 592 150, and the maxi­ proper course open to them now, and he mum load on the generating station was asked for the support of all local authori­ 59 400 kW. Further damage was suffered ties representative of the Committee if such by the undertaking due to flying and a motion should be passed. Asking that rocket bomb attacks. Approximately the name of Aberdeen T.C. be dissociated 118 ft. in length of the main building, the with any motion to have the scheme an­ main stores, with a large proportion of the nulled, Mr. A. Gardiner, city electrical stock, and outbuildings were completely engineer, Aberdeen, said he could confirm destroyed. The destruction included the that there was a desperate shortage of transformer station, the meter test- depart­ electricity throughout the country. He ment, and general workshops with nearly was afraid there was a tendency to forget all their equipment, including instruments the proper name of the authority that had and machine tools. Over 2 000 services been set up. It was the North of Scotland were disconnected from badly damaged or Hydro-Electric Board, not the Highlands destroyed premises, bringing the total to Board. nearly 12 000 since the commencement of Stoke-on-Trent.—The report of the enemy air attacks. A draft scheme for the general manager of the electricity under­ construction of What is, substantially, a taking, Mr. T. Lockett, shows that the new generating station at Canning Town revenue for the year was £717 656, com­ was submitted to the Central Electricity pared with £686 862 in the previous year, Board early in the year, and, as a result,, an increase of £30 794. The expenditure they issued a further direction for the in­ at £717 456, compared with £662 746, stallation of a 30 000 KW turbo-altcrnator showed an increase of £54 710. The in­ and four boilers, with all necessary auxi­ creased cost of bulk supply was £44 963, liary plant, additional to the unit included out of the total increase in expenditure. in the direction issued in 1943. This will Income tax amounted to £37 741, com­ form one third (60 000 kW) of the ultimate pared with £24 441 in the previous year, capacity of ISO 000 kW. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 389 Industrial Information Public Address at Holiday Camp.—The bo ample work for the next four or five public address equipment at Butlin’s holi­ years and they intended to press vigor­ day camp at Filey, Yorks, described in our ously for export trade. last issue, was installed by Tannoy Pro­ Northampton Polytechnic.—The sylla­ ducts (Guy R. Fountain, Ltd.). bus for the 1945-46 session, which began Factory Extension.—Philips (Blackburn on October 1, includes courses in general Works), Ltd., are to develop their works electrical engineering, radio engineering, at Whitebirk, Blackburn, and a start is to electrical installations, electric cable joint­ be made on a site of 70 000 sq. ft. The ing, telephony, telegraphy, radio communi­ Board of Trade has granted a licence for cations, illuminating engineering, instru­ the work to proceed. ment making, and arc welding. Evening Fuel Efficiency.—The recovery of waste classes not represented in the scheduled heat from flue gases is the subject of Fuel courses will cover, among others, the Efficiency Bulletin No. 42 issued by the following subjects : vacuum technology, Ministry of Fuel and Power. Among X-ray technology, electronics, applied other matters, it deals with recuperation accoustics, non-linear problems in electrical and regeneration, and waste heat boilers engineering, and the cathode-ray tube and and their application to specific industries. its applications. Electric Boiling Rings.—The Central Atlas Lamp Publicity.—An intensive ad­ Price Regulation Committee has approved vertising campaign is now being launched the following prices, exclusive of purchase for Atlas lumps, in which ail the leading tax, for the I.K.W. electric boiling ring, national newspapers as well as the large- complete with flex, manufactured by the circulation weeklies, and many provincial Lonsdale and Company (Electric), Ltd. : papers, supplemented by certain weekly Manufacturers’ selling' price, 8s. 6d.; newspapers in selected localities will be wholesale, 10s. 7|d.; retail, 14s. 2Jd. used to the fullest extent. The already Expansion Programme.—C. A. Parsons extensive chain of permanent road .sites and Co., Ltd., announce a programme of and bulletin boards in key positions expansion involving the expenditure throughout the country is being expanded. over the next few years of over In addition, Atlas advertising is appearing

ÁTLÁS LAMPS fo r STAYING POWER THORN ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED An example of the Atlas lamp advertising drawings, and a poster one million pounds. Sir Claude D. Gibb, on many of the main line railway stations chairman, ’ states that . the board has and the London Underground system. Al­ ordered equipment costing a quarter of a though under the prevailing conditions million pounds and has sanctioned pur­ material is somewhat restricted, Atlas lamp chases fora further £150 000. There would retailers still have the benefit of a window 390 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 dressing service designed to tie up with the secondary voltages up to 6.6 kV and 660 Press and outdoor campaign. The new V, respectively. To facilitate transport, the • Atlas advertising campaign is a develop­ unit has very low overall dimensions, while ment of the well-known theme of the in sizes up to 200 kVA the oil content is “ little man carrying the lamp,” (a modern below 50 gall. Of interest, also, was the conception of the classical figure of Atlas carrying the globe), and a new slogan “ For Staying Power ” is being adopted. The new Atlas poster is attractively designed in compelling colours, and in the Press ad­ vertising the “ Staying power ” theme is being emphasised by. a series of striking drawings of a semi-humorous nature. Sales aids for Atlas retailers include the plastic counter model, cinema slides, window bills, price lists, etc. New Manufacturers’ Association.— Membership of the newly-formed Elec­ tronic Manufacturers’ Association is open to all manufacturers of complete electronic apparatus having factories within Great Britain and Northern Ireland and in other The G.E.C. display at the Moira Colliery parts of the British Empire to which it exhibition may be decided to extend the association, flameproof lighting transformer designed and also to all manufacturers of parts and to give a 110 V supply for the illumination accessories within the same territories. of underground roads, haulage houses and Coventry Exhibition.—In celebration of crossings. Other exhibits included flame­ the six-hundredth anniversary of the in­ proof accessories. On a separate stand corporation of the city a “ Coventry of the G.E.C. electric welding equipment was Future ” exhibition opened at the Drill demonstrated. Hall on October 8, and will conclude on Notes for Contractors.— In accord­ October 15. The object is to illustrate to ance with an agreement made be­ the people of Coventry some proposals and tween the National Federated Electrical suggestions for the physical reconstruction Association and the Electrical Trades and planning of the City. Among the ex­ Union, as from the third pay day in Octo­ hibits in the housing section is an “ all- ber, 1945, for the pay period covered by electric ” example of kitchen design for that pay day, the cost of living (war) ad­ the future. In the section dealing with dition for the electrical contracting in­ public services are demonstrated, the dustry is to be SJd. per hour until the Severn water scheme by which the City’s second pay day in April 1946, when for water supply is to be augmented by sup­ the pay period covered by that, pay day, plies from the river Severn, and a model the rato declared is to be subject to an of a possible district heating scheme for the addition of Id. per hour, the resultant central area of the city. payments being: to labour over 21 3'ears Electrical Mining Equipment. — The of age, 6Jd. per hour, between 18 and 21 General Electric Co., Ltd., showed a repre­ 4jd. per hour, under 18 2d. per hour. sentative selection of flameproof mining For the three months from the third electrical apparatus at the recent exhibi­ pay day in October, 1945, covered tion organised by the South Midland sub- by the cost of living (war) addition branch of the A.M.E.M.E., at Moira declaration, which has increased the Colliery, near Burton-on-Trent. The dis­ amount by Id. an hour, the inclusive play included an automatic gate-end hourly rates paj'able are as follows: Grade switch (type F.M.U.2), for the control of “ A,” 2s. 54d.; Mersey district, 2s. 31d.; motors driving coal cutters, loaders, and Grade “ B,”'2s. 2Id.; Grade “ C,” 2s. lfd. conveyors at the coal face. It is suitable Certain recommendations made by the in­ for voltages up to 600 and full load cur­ dustry’s Joint. Apprenticeship Committee rents up to 80 A and is skid-mounted. were discussed at the last meeting of the Other flameproof switchgear included a.h.t. National J.I.C. who agreed to the wording oil circuit-breaker (type F.H.2), having a of two certificates of training. One is for breaking capacity of 25 mVA at 3.3 kV. use by employees when category II boys Another exhibit was a portable mining sub­ either leave their employer prior to the station, a self-contained unit, comprising a completion of training, or complete their transformer, with flameproof h.t-. isolator, training, and the other is a certificate l.t. eircuit-breaker, and flit type cable to be issued bj? the N.J.I.C., upon request, boxes. This type of sub-station is avail­ to ex-category II boys, who have com­ able up to 250 kVA, with primary and pleted their training. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 391 Toronto Hydro-Electric System Commissioners Thirty-fourth Annual Report HE thirty-fourth annual report of this temporary reduction in rates was Toronto Electric Commissioners shows estimated at approximately 5918 000.00. that the operations of the hydro-electricEarly in the present year, this temporary Tsystem for 1944 resulted in a gross income ofreduction was follow-ed by a permanent S13 599 960.78. The cost of electric cur­ reduction in rates which wall result in sub­ rent and expenses of operation and stantial savings to system consumers. management amounted to $9 950 169.82, leaving a surplus of income on the operat­ War-time Restrictions ing account of $3 649 790.96. After de­ In the report for 1942, attention was ducting 52 514 099.14 for interest, de­ drawn to the fact that under date of preciation, taxes, sinking funds, deben­ September 12, 1942, tho Power Controller ture retirals and exchange on debt of the Department of Munitions and Sup­ charges, the net income carried to resorve ply had issued Order No. P.C. 5 restrict­ for stabilisation of rates was 51 135 691.82. ing tho use of electricity for certain pur­ Tho net funded debt as at December 31, poses in various designated power short­ 1944, less sinking funds in the city age areas, including that in which Toronto treasurer’s hands and accrued, amounted to is situated. Tho restrictions applied par­ $3 572 323.02, all of which will foe paid ticularly ¡to street lighting and commercial at. maturity by the annual retirals of serial lighting. In the case of street lighting, debentures, and by the. operations of the the restriction involved a curtailment sinking fund applicable to the long-term of twenty per cent, of the load. debentures. The fixed assets of the system Tho restriction in commercial lighting in­ with respect to the distribution plant in volved the discontinuance, with some Toronto amounted to 540 657 481.35. minor exceptions, of sign, show window’, Current assets amounted to 510 607 992.74, show' case, outline, ornamental, decora­ whereas current liabilities, including tive and advertising lighting; the dis­ amounts duo to the city treasurer tout not continuance of electric air-heaters and yet payable, amounted to 5948 529.23. fires; the discontinuance of outdoor lighting and floodlighting, with minor ex­ Reduction in Rates ceptions, and the curtailment of lighting Tho total number of kW hrs. sold dur­ in theatres, etc. At the same time, the ing the year was 1 371 645 482, as against Power Controller publicly appealed to 1 311 901 982 in 1943, and the annual residence consumers to voluntarily reduce peak load was 393 920 h .p ., compared their consumption, if possible, to the ex­ with 393 920 h .p . in 1943. The electrical tent of twenty per cent. The restrictions energy purchased from tho Hydro-Electric under the above Order and the amend­ Power Commission of Ontario during 1944 ments thereto were discontinued on Octo­ cost 57 308 446.49, or 53.7 per cent, of ber 1, 1944. The restoration of normal the gross income, against 57 579 430.60 street lighting was completed ¡by the end for the preceding year, or 58.0 per cent, of the year, and commercial lighting was of the gross income of that year. The similarly re-established during the same governing rate for the year was S22.60 per period. The result was reflected in the H .P. per annum. The monthly bills, as increase in the annual peak load of the rendered, were paid for at this rate. After system, but the change occurred too late the close of the year’s operation, the Pro­ in the year to appreciably affect the sys­ vincial Commission advised that the cost tem’s revenue. of power supplied during the year was 5716 501.97 less than had been already Large-scale Extensions paid. On tins basis, the net cost of power The Commissioners have prepared a for the year was $7 308 446.49, or 520.58 programme of extensions -to the system’s per h :p . The adjustment for the year plant and equipment involving capital 1943, amounting to 5121 006.52, had been expenditures approximating 52 Ô00 000.00 added to the reserve for stabilisation of per year for the first three years follow­ rates. ing the cessation of hostilities. This pro­ During the year, the question of a reduc­ gramme comprises a large number' of pro­ tion in rates again received the careful jected works which, it is anticipated, may consideration of the Commissioners, and be required within that period. the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario was requested to grant approval The A.E.M.T.— The Electroplant Co., to a reduction to forty per cent, of the Palace of Engineering, Wembley, has been normal rates for one normal billing period. elected a member of the Association of The 'saving to consumers resulting from Electrical Machinery Traders. 392 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 Company News E ricsson Telephones Ltd.—Intm. cliv. remun. £3 000 (same), fwd. £83 365 5%, tax free (same). (£85 348). Manganese Bronze and Brass Co., Ltd. L eyland and B irmingham R ubber Co., Intm. on ord. 7£% (same). Lt d .—Net tradg. pft. (after tax), £124 744 E rin o id Co. Lt d .—Fst. and fin. 10% (£121 005). Dirs.’ remun. £4 815 (same), (same). deprecn. £13 295 (£13 802) discount P inchin J ohnson and Co. Ltd .—Intm. prov. £1 666 (¡£864), lvg. net pft. div. 2}% (same). £104 968 (£101 524). Pref. div. again R aavlplug Co. Ltd.—Intm. div. 10% takes £75 000 gross (same). Res. £20 000 on ord. (same). (same), lvg. carry fwd. £56 075 (£52 107). W. M. B eardmore and Co. Lt d .—Intm . P hilco R adio and T elevision Co rpn . div. 3% on ord. (same) lor 1945. of G t. B ritain .—Prelim, statemt. gives P acific G as and E lectric.—R eg. qtrly. div. 10% on 1 250 000 ord. shs. for 1944/ 50 cts. on com., payable Oct. 15. 45, and 25% on 1 000 000 shs. for 1943/44. J. and F. Stone L td .—Div. on ord. 15% . Net tradg. pft. for yr. ended Mar. 31, (6%), for yr. to June 30, payable Oct. 25. 1945, is announced as £115.701 Strand Electric Holdings.—Fst. and (£108 862). After deductg. £55 814 fin. div. 10% (same), plus bonus 2J% (£49 874) for bank interest, note interest (same); net ipft. £15 752 (£15 186). and premium, depreciatn., deferred re­ R ansomes and R a pier, L td.—Intm . on pairs, dirs.’ fees, sinkg. fund and interest ord. 2% tax free (same), payable Nov. 23, on sinkg. fund ceits., and pref. cap. 1945. redemptn. fund, net credit ¡bice, was Watford E lectric and Manufactur­ £59 887 (£58 988). Prov. for current ing Co., Ltd.—Intm. div. 5% (same), N.D.C. and inc.-tax—after takg. acct. of less tax. provri. for future taxatn. previously made, R ichard J ohnson and C lapham M o rr i­ is £31 741 (£2 074) and pref. div. £12 337 son.—Fin. div. on ord. 11J%, and bonus (£10 500). The 10% div. will absorb 5%, mkg. 20% (15%) for yr. ended June £6 250 and will leave a fwd. bice. £9 559 30. higher at £12 930. L inley E ngineering Co., L t d .—Net Company Meetings pit. to May 31, £5 005 (£8 621). Fst. and B arcelona T raction L ight and P ow er fin. div. 10% (same), and bonus 2J% (5%), Co. Lt d .—The annual meeting was held mkg. 121% (15%). in Toronto on October 3. In the course of A ssociated F ire Alarms, L td.—Pit. to his address the president, Mr. Henri Juno 30, £772 (£1 049), less tax £375 Speciael, referred at some length to the (£680), lvg. net pit. £396 (£369). Div. serious drought in Spain and the conse­ 3% £858 (same), fwd. £1 682 (£2 144). quent heavy' restrictions on the consump­ Glacier Metal Co. L td .—Co. proposes tion of electric current with an adverse to increase authorised cap. from £275 000 effect on earninigs. He stated that the gross to £400 000 by creatn. of a further 100 000 earnings for the first eight months of 1945 pref. shs. of £1 and 100 000 ord. shs. of were down 17 million pesetas and expenses 5s. were increased by an even greater sum, A berdare Cables Lt d .—Pit. bice, to chiefly arising from heavier steam genera­ Oct. 31, 1944, includg. div. from subsid. tion expenses and the cost of emergency and after dirs.’ fees, £37 618 (£35 496). power purchased from other suppliers. Taxn. £27 973 (£21 500), defd. reprs. East African Power and Lighting Co., £1 160 (£7 000). Div. 6% (same, but on L td .—Tlie annual meeting was held at increased cap.). Fwd. £9 814 (£9 789). Nairobi on September 28. In the course W illiam D oxford and Sons Lt d .—Fin. of his remarks the chairman, Maj. H. F. div. 10% and bonus of 2|% on ord. mkg. Ward, said the maximum demand over the 17J% for yr. to June 30. Prelim, statemt. Avar period in all the company’s East Afri­ shows net pft. after providg. for taxatn. can areas of supply increased from 8 360 of £184 S17 (£173 323). AUocatn. to gen. kW to 15 317 kVV with a sharply increasing res. £75 000 (£50 000). Carry-fwd. £59 332 load factor. Despite the fact that addi­ (£52 015). tional plant to meet these demands could R ansome and M arles B earings Co., . only' be procured from A'ery restricted Lt d .—Tradg. etc., pft. to June 30 (after sources they were able, during the war tax) £ 1S4 143 (£187 039). To dirs.’ fees period, to increase their installed plant £1 700 (same), deprecn. £59 216 (£62205), capacity from 19 000 kW to 25 000 kW. lvg. net pft. £123 227 (£123 134). To war The directors were hopeful that as nor­ damage £2 210 (£S 714), div. 20% £70 000 mality returns it will be possible to con­ (same),, contings. £50 000 (£35 000), dirs.’ template charges reduction. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN 393

COMPANY MEETING ABERDARE CABLES LIMITED Continued Good Progress The ninth ordinary general meeting of progress. It has done valuable work for Aberdare Cables, Limited, was held on tho Admiralty throughout the war October 4, in London, Sir George Usher period and is now turning its attention (chairman of the company) presiding. to the development and marketing of Tho chairman said: I am happy to industrial and domestic equipment. place before you the accounts for the In conclusion, I should like to express year ended October 31, 1944, and to re­ my thanks to the managing director, Mr. port continued good progress in ithe cur­ F. G. Penny, to Mr. Wignall and Mr. rent year. Our organisation has been Nicholas, to Mr. Gilliver, our efficient actively employed during the war years secretory, and to the workpeople and in coping with the heavy demands for staff who have so loyally supported us war material. Your company has de­ throughout the difficult days of war. livered nearly one and a half million 25- We send our cordial greetings to all poundor shells, nearly 400 000 6-pounder employees serving in H.M. Forces and shells, approximately 15 000 mines and hope they will soon be -with us again. smoke bombs, and over 100 000 miles of The report and accounts were unani­ copper wire for the purpose of telephonic mously adopted and the proposed divi­ and telegraphic communication. We are dend of 6 per cent., was approved. proud to think this lias been accomp­ lished on the site of a dereliot coal mine. In other words, your company is a living example of a new industry arising from Commercial Notes the ashes of an old one, and we are grati­ Mortgages and Charges fied to think that on this site we are now N ote.— The Companies Act of 1908 provide/ that employing, in what was an entirely new overy Mortgage _ or Charge shall be registered toithin 21 day] after its creation, and that every company industry in South Wales, as many people shall, in its annual summary, specify the total amount as formerly earned their livelihood in of debt due from it in respect of mortgages or charges. raising coal there. The following mortgages and charges have been registered. The total debt prior to the present creation, as shown in the annual summary, is given—marked “ Q.P.I.” with an *—followed by the dale of the summary, but We have a well filled order book and uch total may have been reduced. excellent prospects. Our export busi­ Electron (London) Ltd., London, W., ness is developing on sound and satis­ gramophone, wireless and electrical manu­ factory lines. Our Q.P.I. cables are facturers.—Sept. 12, £1 000 deb. to R . finding a ready sale in markets formerly Slayton, London, general charge. the monopoly of tho Cable Makers’ As­ R. J. Kemp and Co., Ltd., Coalville, electrical engineers.—Sept. 20, £3 000 (not sociation. I might explain that ex.) charge, to Lloyds Bank Ltd.; charged “ Q.P.I.” means—Quality, Price, Inde­ on premises at Ashby Road, Coalville. * pendence. . Mar. 25, 1943. It has been our pleasure during recent Redcar Radio Relays Ltd.—Sept. 10, months to welcome home our representa­ charge, to Burnley Building Society secur­ tives in Africa, India and Australia, who ing £1 000 and any other money &c.; report considerable activity in those charged on 23/25, West Dyke Road, Red­ m arkets. car. ’Nil. Dec. 31, 1944. Other important export business in­ United Components Ltd., London, cludes contracts with the U.S.S.R., Tur­ E.C., electric and wireless dealers.— Sept. key, Egypt, Portugal and Prance, to 20, £1 000 deb. to W. Harris, London; mention but a few of the countries with general charge. which we are in active daily negotiation. Corex Communications Equipment L td ., London, S.W., electrical and wireless Our munition contracts are now com­ engineers.—Sept. 20, mort., to Barclays pleted, so that we can turn our full Bank Ltd., securing all moneys due or to activity towards our peace-time products. become due to the Bank; charged on Our subsidiary, South Wales Switch- moneys under contracts. *£7 196. May gear, Ltd., continues to make satisfactory 30, 1944, 394 THE ELECTRICIAN October12, 1945

Company Winding Up Notice of Dividend Hants Electric Chassis.—At a meeting of the members of the said company, held B rid g m a n , Howard Cecil, 37, Canynge at Eleetra House, Victoria Embankment, Road, Clifton, Bristol, lately residing and London, on September 19, 1945, the reso­ carrying on business at 7, Abbey Road, lution was duly passed “ that the com­ Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, electrical en­ pany bo wound up voluntarily and that gineer. First and final dividend 7-1 d. per Mr. Harold Percy Goodall of Eleetra House, £, payable Oct. 19, 1945, The Official Re­ London, W.C.2, be appointed Liquida­ ceiver’s Office, 26, Baldwin Street, Bristol tor.” 1.

Coming Events Friday, October 12 (To-day). Forrest. H. W. Grimmitt, A. J. Drummond and I.E.E., N.W. CENTRE (RADIO GROUP).—Man­ Wing Comdr. R. if. Poulter. Joint meeting chester. “ Studio Technique in Television,” with the Royal Meteorological Society. D. C. Birkinshaw and D. 11. Campbell. 6 p.m. 5.30 p.m. Electrical association for women.— Friday, October 19. Institution of Electrical Engineers, London, I.E.E., N.E. STUDENTS’ SECTION.—'" My Occu­ W.C.2. Symposium of speeches. 2.50 p.m. pation and some Experiences.” (Informal Saturday, October 13. talks from members of the Section.) 6.50 p.m. JUNIOR INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, N.W. Saturday, October 20. SECTION.—Manchester. Annual general meet­ I.E.E., N. MID. STUDENTS’ SECTION.—Leeds. ing, followed by presidential address, " The " Colour,” Dr. Mole, ,T. A. Foot and K. A. Engineer’s Tools—Words and Figures,” L. H. Milligan. 3.30 p.m. I.E.E., LONDON A. Carr. 3.30 p.m. STUDENTS’ SECTION.—Visit to Evershed and Vignoles, Ltd. 9.45 a.m. Sunday, October 14. A.M.E. AND M.E., S. WALES BRANCn.— INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC ENGINEERING — Bridgend. Discussion, "Electrical and Waldorf Hotel, Aldwych, London. “ Notes on Mechanical Aspects of the Eeid Beport.” Factory Organisation,” Prof. F. L. M'eyenberg. (Joint meeting with W. Wales Branch.) 3.30 p.m. INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC PLANNING, MID­ Monday, October 15. LAND SECTION.—Birmingham. "Competitive I.E.E., LONDON STUDENTS’ SECTION.—London. Planning,” A. H. Huckle. 3.30 p.m. W.C.2. Chairm an’s address, " Tuning Forks,” H. Shorland. 7 p.m. BIRMINGHAM ELECTRIC CLUB.—Grand Hotel. “ Technical Education in the Present and Immediate Future,” C. F. Partridge. Metal Prices Monday, Oct. 8 I.E.E., Mersey and N. wales centre — Copper— Price. Inc. Dec. Liverpool. " The Place of Eadiant, Dielectric Best Selected (nom.) per ton £60 10 0 — — and Eddy-Current Heating . in the Process Electro Wlrebars ... „ £62 0 0 — — Heating Field.” L. J. C. Connell, 0. W. Hum­ H.O. "Wires, basis ... per lb. 9^-d. — — phreys and J. L. Eyecroft. 6 p.m. Sheet „ ll&d. — — Tuesday, October 16. Phosphor Bronte— I.E.E., E. MIDLAND SUB-CENTRE, DERBY.— Wire(Telephone)basl3 „ Is. O&d, — “ Excess Current Protection by H.E.C. Fuses Brass (60/40)— on Medium Voltage Circuits,” E. T. LythaU. Rod, basis „ — — — 6.30 p.m. Sheet „ ...... — — — I.B.E., N.W. CENTRE.—Manchester. “ Modern Wirs ...... lid. — lil. Electric Lift Practice,” L. S. Atkinson. 6 p.m. Iron and Steel— ASSOCIATION OF SUPERVISING ELECTRICAL Pig Iron (E. Coast ENGINEERS.— E.L-M. A. Lighting Service Hematite No. 1)... per ton £7 13 6 — — Bureau. London, W.C.2. Presidential address, GalvanisedSteelWire E. E. Wilkinson. 6.15 p.m., preceded by indus­ (Cable Armouring) trial films, 5.45 p.m. basis 0.104 in. ... „ £28 5 0 — — BRITISH SOCIETY FOR INTERNATIONAL Mild Steel Tape BIBLIOGRAPHY—I.E.E., London. W.C.2. Presi­ (Cable Armouring) dential address, Dr. S. C. Bradford. 3.30 p.m. basis 0.04 in. ... „ £20 0 0 — — Galvanised SteelWire Wednesday, October 17. No. 8 S.W.G. ... „ £26 0 0 — — I.E.E., TRANSMISSION SECTION.—London, Lead Pig— W.C.2. Chairman's inaugural address, E. T. English „ £31 10 0 — — Norris. 5.50 p.m. Foreign or Colonial „ £30 0 0 — — INSTITUTE OF WELDING. LEEDS BRANCH.— Tin— Bradford. " Welded Construction, and the Ingot (minimum of Drawing Office.” H. V. Hill. 7 p.m. W. SCOT­ 99.9% purity) ... „ £303 10 0 — — LAND BRANCH.—Glasgow. " Some Technical ■Wire, basis...... per lb. 3s. lOd. — — Problems in the Execution of ' Pluto J. S. Aluminium Ingots ... per ton £85 0 0 — — Blair. 6.30 p.m. Spelter...... „ £31 5* 0 — — Mercury (spot) Ware­ Thursday, October 18. house per bott. £31 5 0 — £38 10 0 I.E.E.—London, W.C.2. Discussion. “ W eather Prices of galvanised steel wire and steel tape supplied by the and Electric Power Systems,” opened by J, S. O.M.A. Other metal prices by B.L Callender’s Cables Ltd. i

HPM Electrification £ The design, construction and installation of electric lifts Schemes have been for all purposes formed, before the war, an important applied to all industries, including: Aircraft activity of the G.E.C. Installations of EXPRESS-S.M.S. Factories; Chemical Lifts are used in commercial buildings, factories, Works; Collieries; Food hospitals, etc., and in ships in all parts of the world. Factories; Gold Mines Iron, Steel and Copper i During the war the factories of the G.E.C., of which the Works; Locomotive and ■ ■ Express Lift Co. Ltd. is a subsidiary, were engaged Railway Carriage and Wagon Works; Motor i w'holly on war production. | Car Works; Ships and I Shipyards; Textile j Electrical progress has been constant, and technical Mills, etc., etc. advances of the utmost importance in lift design have been made as a result of ever changing requirements. B O O K T H E 9th N O V . New equipment, standardized to a high degree, will be for the available to all concerned with reconstruction schemes. E.L.B.A. VICTORY BALL

THE GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. LTD., MAGNET HOUSE, KINGSWAY, LONDON, W.C. 2. xxii THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945 ELECTRODE SOLDERING TOOLS MODEL No. H 1008. (BRITISH PATENT No. 5-HO11) AW "TO O LS are available for solder­ Suitable for light or medium work, and J ing cables into lugs, ferrules on to soldering temperature is attained in tubing, etc., up to 3 ' In diameter. thirty seconds. Production is speeded up as the soldering time is considerably reduced. Other models of hand tools are available. These tools operate from power units and are safe in use. Operate off A.C. supply. T.4. Light Duty Specify cored Solders, Solder wire, Jaws. Argent Solder and Solder Paste.

Proprietors : STANDARD TELEPHONES AND CABLES LIMITED. FERNDOWN NORTHWOOD HILLS, NORTHWOOD, MIDDLESEX. T.8. Medium Duty Jaw s . Telephone: p in n e r <885.

CAPSTAN AND AUTO PDODUCTS

IN AIL MCTALS

HENRY RAR CL!F FE ù CO. 29 IVAN STONE LANE • BIRMINGHAM • IB • PHONE: CEN SB9S October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN xxiii

ARDING R a t i o n s

Electric POWER is a mighty sinew of the nation's effort. It must be GUARDED against leakage. Tullis Russell Rothmill Cable Insulating Papers are called upon by leading cable manu­ facturers to perform this task, and it is carried out admirably by these renowned, uniformly high-quality insulating papers. Rothmill Papers are guaran­ teed free from metals and grit. Write for details of the com­ plete range. ROTHIillLL CABLE INSULATING PAPER TuU bfyuteU rC o.ltd. Ar^hmuty 8c Rothes Paper Mills, Markinch, Scotland LONDON MANCHESTER BIRMINGHAM ITador St., 372 Corn Exchange 116 Cohnore Row EX.4 Bldgx, Corporation St. XXIV THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945

W indo w Lights will go up soon!

WHITE FOR " H ARCO RAY " BROCHURE ILLUSTRATING COMPLETE RANGE OF REFLECTORS FOR SHOP, STORE AND SHOWCASE LIGHTING.

0'/l'

STANHOPE HOUSE, KEAN STREET, DUR ACA81 ES ALDWYCH, W.C.2. DURAWIRES Telephone : TEM PLE BAR 9671/2/3. l è s . DURATUBE tW IRE LTD/ ^^ELTHAMMIDDLESEX^ÿ

TRIPOLIT” TRIPLE-POLE SWITCH 5 & 25 A. AT 250 V. D.C. & 500 V. A.C.

THPEE — PHASE SUPPLY FLUSH PATTERN Wiring Connections for A.C. 3-Phase Motor-Starting. LEAFLETS El. 78 & 101.

Established in 1882 I REC? A.R LU ndberg&S0 NS EKTRIK. NORTHtclcpnoni 3354 vJELECTRICAI. — ACCESSORIES^/ LUNOBESC.IONDOUteucrams ------PIONEER ELECTRICAL WORKS- " ~ TRADE H A R K 49It*493 LIVERPOOL R2 HOLLOWAY, LONDON,H .7. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN XXV

A.I.D. APPROVAL, Part I VIDAFLEX INSULATING SLEEVINGS We are large manufacturers of all types of sleeving, from raw material to finished product.

VIDAFLEX PRODUCTS include— VARNISHED & UNVARNISHED COTTON SLEEVING VARNISHED & UNVARNISHED SILK SLEEVING VARNISHED & UNVARNISHED GLASS SLEEVING which comply to Air Ministry and other specifications. Deliveries from stock. Our Technical Department can assist you with the design of new types of sleeving for parti­ cular purposes, or on the use of our standard product.

LONDON REPRESENTATIVE BIRMINGHAM REPRESENTATIVE NORMAN & CO.» F. G. GRIMES, 55 Downs Road, Coleridge Chambers, Coulsdon, Surrey 177 Corporation St., Birmingham Telephone: Downland 225 Telephone: Central 3889

Price list and samples available on request.

JONES STROUD & Co., Ltd., VIDA MILLS, LONG EATON, NOTTINGHAM Telephone: LONG EATON 404/6 xxviii THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945

LONDEX REMOTE CONTROL of STREET MA/NS. LIGHTING /jaz/sti MOTORS, GENERATORS, TRANSFORMERS ALL SIZES WITH THE MINIMUM DELAY MAST£R SW/TCH. FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE WIRE mor “ PORTER,” LINCOLN

This simple a'-rangj PRIORITY ORDERS ONLY UNTIL ment In wide use. UG/iTS:. BETTER TIMES Ask for leaflet 104/EL MA/tfS. PENNEY & PORTER (1932) LTD, LINCOLN - manufactories of rclats Grams: Porter. Phone: 1706/7. 207ANERIIYR0AD*L0ND0N-)-i*2O<• BURDETTE D A Y AN D N IG H T MACaulay 1 FOR RELIABLE SERVICE 4 5 5 5 WE REPAIR, REWIND, AND REDESIGN A.C. AND D.C. MOTORS. ALTERNATORS ROTARY CONVERTERS AND CONTROLLERS. Nothing too Small. Nothing too Large. WE COLLECT AND DELIVER. BURDETTE & CO., LTD., Stonhouse Street, Clapham, LONDON, S.W .4 ESTABLISHED OVER 35 YEARS.

HARDNESS TEST— Wylex make their own tools, and “hardness" determines the quality of the tool. Here is shown The "R o c k w e ll” Hardness Tester, with which all Wylex Tools are tested. The tools are tested— the products are tested. Wyler mustbe ywd

GEORGE H. SCHOLES & CO. LTD. WYLEX WORKS. WYTHENSHAWE, MANCHESTER Tel: Wythenshawe 2251/2. Grams: '* Kilowatt.” Manchester. October 12, 1945 THE ELECTRICIAN

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION COMPANY LIMITED RICHMOND • SURREY Telephone RICHMOND 2342-3-4

_ Sole Manufacturers of the % METHYL BROMIDE FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT

THE NOTTINGHAM THERMOMETER Co., Ltd.

MANUFACTURERS OF PYROMETRIC EQUIPMENT : INDICATORS— Wall Type. Portable, - Multi-point, Panel Mounting. j§ THERMO-COUPLES— Base & Rare Metals. RESISTANCE THERMOMETERS. COMPENSATING CABLES: S H E A T H S -1 Refractory, Steel. Alloy, etc. SPARES-—Wires,. Elements, Insulators, Therm o-Couple Heads, etc., etc. THERMOMETERS GLASS STEM DIVIDED— Ranges up to We suppjy and repair 550° C. o r 1,000° F. GLASS IN VARIOUS METAL FITTINGS— thousands of Glass Pipe Type, Jam, Varnish, Molten Metal, C o o k e r Thermometers. Quenching Bath, Bakers, Dyers, Flue Gas, etc. J r • DIAL VAPOUR PRESSURE — Flexible Send your consignments of Capillary and Rigid Stem Patterns, etc. broken thermometers to: 63, MANSFIELD ROAD - NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND 'Phone: 45815 THE ELECTRICIAN October 12, 1945

TEST INFLATION OF AIRMEN’S DINGHIES BY HOOVER BLOWER Inflation is the test for seaworthiness.' But deflation is the test for airworthiness. That is because any air remaining after test would expand at high altitudes, and a dinghy inflating itself on the wing of his aircraft is no help at all to a bomber pilot. However, the Hoover Blower both inflates and deflates — and deflates completely. It’s one of the many jobs these versatile Hoover machines have been doing in the war. If Blowers, Rotary Transformers, Fractional Horse Power Motors and Generators enter into your post-war plans, consult us now. HOOVER LT Makers of the World's Best Cleaner

HOOVER LIMITED, PERIVALE, GREENFORD, MIDDLESEX

Printed in Great Britain by S t r a k h b B r o t h e r s L t d ., 194-200, Bishopsgate, E.C.2, and published by I Bxxx B r o t h e r s , L t d ., at Bouverie Blouse, 154, Fleet Street, I