The Electrician : the oldest weekly illustrated journal of electrical engineering, industry, science and finance, Vol. 139, No. 8 (3610)

An a rtist’s impression of the flats on Minerva S treet site, Bethnal Green, London, E.2. (Main C ontractors: Holland, Hannen & Cubitcs Ltd.). These flats w ere featured in a recent B.B.C. broadcast entitled "Flats going up."

Bethnal Green Electricity Under­

taking are installing the HENLEY RISING MAINS SYSTEM in the eight blocks of flats being erected under the new L.C.C. scheme at the Minerva Street site.

M r. E . E . J o l l y , M .I .J L E ., A.M.I.Mcch.E., the Bor(mglKElo.c- trical Engineer, has chosen^ this system because it is specifically designed for multi-floor buildings of this tvpe.

W . T. H E N L E Y * S T E L E G R A P H W O R K S C O . L T D .,' 51-53 H A T T O N G A R D E N , E .C .I

2 2 A U G U S T 1947 S I X P E N C E

:

m 1/

SfiEMERS

R U B B E R I N S U L A T E D C A B L E S

S I E M E N S E L E C T R I C L A M P S A N D S U P P L I E S L T D 38/39 U pper Thames Street, London, E.C.4

Branches at Belfast, Birmingham, Bristo', Cardiff. Dublin. Glasgow.

Leeds, Liverpool. Manchester, Newcastlc-cn-Tyn2, Nottingham, Sheffield.

TH E E LE C T R IC IA N 22 A UG U ST 1947

P R O D U C T S L T D , in T est Sets and Laboratory equipment are manufactured to the same high standard o f precision and exacting specification as the other parts of the instrument.

Therefore A.B. Metal Products manufacture their switches with an eye to reliability and working efficiency. An A.B. OAK H Switch is a contract for easy contact — an assurance of dependable service for many years.

All A.B. O A K H Switches are m anufactured under Patent Nos. 478391, 478392

2i AUGUST 1947

IR E A T SOUTH W E S T ROAD, F E L T H A M , M ID D X . '* I Telephones : Hounslow 6256. Feltham 2865.

New E ra TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

5 0 6

C R Y S E L C O L I M I T E D , K E M P S T O N W O R K S , B E D F O R D

T H E E L E C T R I C I A N 22 A U G U S T 1947

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

i^ ß u c n c /ie c i BIRMINGHAM BRIGHTON BRISTOL

F T Y Y E A R S O F Q U A L I T Y & S E R V I C E

BURY ST EDMUNDS CARDIFF

GLASGOW

LEEDS LEICESTER LIVERPOOL

LONDON MANCHESTER NEWCASTLE

E L E C T R I C A L E Q U I P M E N T

MOTORS A N D CON T R OL GEAR FOR A N Y INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION REGENERATIVE DYNAMOMETER EQUIPMENTS FOR ENGINE TESTING

WATER- POWER OR ENGINE-DRIVEN ALTERNATORS & GENERATORS TURBI NE OR MOTOR-DRIVEN COMPRESSORS A N D BLOWERS

MAGNETOS, A N D ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FOR AI RCRAFT MAZ DA LAMPS. A N D MAZ DAL UX LIGHTING EQUIPMENT

E L E C T R O N V A L V E S OF E V E R Y D E S C R I P T I O N A L L K I N D S OF H E A V Y E L E C T R I C A L P L A N T

P O W E R F A C T O R I M P R O V E M E N T P L A N T E L E C T R I C T R A C T I O N — R O A D O R RAIL

I N D U S T R I A L H E A T I N G E Q U I P M E N T C I N E M A P R O I E C T 1 QN E Q UI P ME N T

E L E C T R I C S H I P P R O P U L S I O N A U T O M A T I C S U B S T A T I O N S

C O N V E R T I N G M A C H I N E R Y T U R B O - A L T E R N A T O R S

EL ECTRI C W I N D E R S R O L L I N G M I L L S

TRANSFORMERS SWI TCHGEAR

RECTIFIERS

S P E C I F Y

^ > T //

1

D n r flB

■

4 f c S JI o R U G B Y

T H E BR IT ISH THOMSON-HOUSTON COMPANY LIM IT E D , RUCBY, E N C L A N D , A 3 5 7 2

22

AUGUST

THE ELECTRICIAN

T h a t N e w E x t e n s i o n n e e d s ™ " ~ ~ —

J. & P. P L A N N E D P O W E R

Factory extensions are always a head-ache, intensified by the necessity to maintain production . . . for timing operations so that interruption in the existing shops is reduced to an absolute minimum.

It is in these situations that experience counts above all; where a J. & P. planned electric power installation is of the greatest importance.

J. & P. engineers are accustomed to tricky schedules . . . used to dovetailing with architects and consulting engineers so that operations proceed quickly, smoothly, and economically.

This is but one of the reasons why it pays to let the manufacturer of the equipment undertake the plant installation . . . why it pays to

Co-opt J. & P. at

the Planning Stage

frustration.

T h e sym ptom s displayed are a peculiar reluctance to w elcom e new friends, and a lack o f enthusiasm at th e sight of large orders, w hich in th e norm ally healthy provide an exhilarating ton ic.

It sh ould be noted that th e com plain t is superficial in character, and m anifests itself so le ly in th ose w ith a strong sen se of ob ligation tow ards the strict honouring of prom ises. It is rarely found in opp ortu nists, black m arketeers and the like.

It is anticip ated th at th e com plaint w ill even tually pass.leaving th ose w h o have been attacked greatly strengthened in prestige and w ith an enhan ced reputation for reliability.

S A N D E R S

W E D N E S B U R Y

M A K E R S O F G O O D S W I T C H G E A R F O R O V E R F I F T Y Y E A R S

W M . S A N D E R S & C O . ( W E D N E S B U R Y ) L T D ., W E D N E S B U R Y , S T A F F S .

22

AUGUST

THE ELECTRICIAN

M E T A L L I C S E A M L E S S T U B E C O . L T D .

Ludgate Hill, Birmingham. Phone: CEN. 7167. Grams:"Flask", Birmingham.Sales Depots: London:88 Goswell Rd.,E.C1.

Newcastle-on-Tyne: St. John Street. Leeds: 5 York Place. Swansea: 1 Grove Place. Glasgow: 137a St. Vincent Street --- TO

THE ELECTRICIAN

AUGUST

pioneers o f the

H O M E C O M F O R T S a r e c a r r i e d u n i v e r s a l l y v i a

W herever there is a switch, M E T A L L I C , w ith its consistent quality and accurate fitting, can be relied u po n to “ lead in ** hom e com forts w ith m axim um safety and convenience.

e v e r y r e q u i r e m e n t

A lready in use by m any supp ly authoriti C E M D U is the up-to-date, trouble-free and me flexible system for the intake and distribution o f electricity.

C om prising one unit housing all dom estic supp ly control C E M D U banishes the usual chaotic conditions at the incom in g end. It can be placed in any position.

Supplied 60 ampere or 60 and 30 ampere double pole M ain Sw itch Control. A n y m eter can be fitte d ; consum ers’ fuses are rewireable and ex ­ tensions are a very sim ple matter

C E M D U is supplied in attractive black or cream stove enam elled finish. W rite for full particulars to the sole manufacturers.

c a r d i e

E L E C T R I C A L ^

M AN U FACTU RIN G CO. LTD.

Bentdiffe W orks, Eccles, Lancs.

phones: Eccles 1691-2-3-4. Telegrams : " Carlectrlc” Eccles.

Type "

T w o

Components Double Tariff

2 5 0

V.A.C.

60-30 amps.

T y p e

" C“

Two Components Single Tariff

250

V.A.C. 60 amps.

22

AUGUST

THE ELECTRICIAN

a n d w e s h a l l p r o b a b l y b e d e a d ! S o y o u s e e , t h e r e ' s a l w a y s s o m e t h i n g t o b e c h e e r f u l a b o u t . O r i s t h e r e ? A n y w a y , l i k e e v e r y b o d y e l s e , w e ' r e s t r i v i n g a n d s t r u g g l i n g t o h e l p o u r s e l v e s a n d y o u t o g e t o v e r d i f f i c u l t i e s . H o w a r e y o u g e t t i n g o n b y t h e w a y ?

l e n h y N

BLIMEY! ILL BE I AN OLD MAN J

BY THE TIME ^ I THEY GET THROUGH I THOSE ORDERS! ,

THE ELECTRICIAN

AUGUST

S t a n d a r d T e l e p h o n e s a n d C a b l e s L i m i t e d

T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N E N G I N E E R S

Consultants for every kind o f C om m un icatio ns Project . . . M anufactu rers o f Equipm ent for all Telecom m unication systems.

B ro a d c a stin g S tu d io E q u ip m e n t.

C ables (T e le c o m m u n ic a tio n ) &. A ccessories.

C ables (E lectric P o w e r) & A ccessories.

C a th o d e R ay O sc illo g rap h E q u ip m e n t.

C re e d T e le p rin te r & H ig h S peed M o rse S ystem s.

F ire A la rm System s.

H ig h F req u en cy H e a tin g E q u ip m e n t.

In s u la tin g M ate rials.

M ag n etic M a te ria ls.

P u b lic A d d ress System s.

Q u a rtz C ry stals.

R a d io E q u ip m e n t.

R a ilw a y C o n tro l System s.

S e n T e rC e l S e le n iu m R ectifiers.

S upervisory &. R em o te C o n tro l System s.

T e le p h o n e E q u ip m e n t.

T e le c o m m u n ic a tio n L in e T ra n s m is sio n E q u ip m e n t.

T h e rm io n ic V alves.

T ra n sm issio n T e stin g A p p a ra tu s.

S t a n d a r d T e l e p h o n e s a n d C a b l e s L i m i t e d

CONNAUGHT HOUSE, 63, ALDWYCH, LONDON, W.C.2.

O verse as B ra n ch e s: C airo, Calcutta, D u b lin, Johannesburg.

a

22 AUG U ST 1947 THE E L E C T R IC IA N

B

5 1 4

w m m

B R I T I S H I N D U S T R I E S F A I R

B irm in g h a m C h a m b e r o f C o m m e rc e In c ., 95 N e w St., B irm in g h a m , 2

TACHOMETERS

I. G e n e ra l P u rp o se G e n e ra to r T ra n s m it t e r 2. * C irsc a le E n g in e R o o m in d ic a to r 3. * C irsc a le S w itc h b o a rd T y p e In d ic a to r 4. A .C . A lt e r n a t o r T ra n s m it t e r

S p e cial T y p e s a vaila ble f o r M o t o r B u se s and T ro lle y Buses, R a il C a rs, L o c o m o tive s, etc.

* Cirscale is the Registered Trade N a m e of the Record Electrical Co., Ltd., and applies exclusively to their instruments.

T H E R E C O R D E L E C T R IC A L C O ., LTD.', B R O A D H E A T H , A L T R IN C H A M , CH ESH IR E.

Tel: Altrincham 3221, 2. 'Crams : “ Infusion," Altrincham. London : 28, Victoria Street, S.W.I. Tel: Abbey SI48.

A p plication s for s p a c e sh o u ld b e m a d e not later than 20th S e p te m b e r, 1947.

INTENDING EXHIBITORS

w h o h a v e not r e c e iv e d an A p p lication Form sh ou ld w r ite to the fo llo w in g a d d r e s s :—

OMETERS TACHOMETERS

THE ELECTRICIAN

AUGUST i 947

The above illustration shows a group of N E T T L E lam p­

holders, etc. A consistently high standard of manufac­

ture is maintained through­

out the N E T T L E range which includes a wide variety of dom estic and in­

dustrial switches, lam p­

holders, bell transform ers,

sockets and plugs, ceiling roses, handlamps, etc.

T h e s e a c c e s s o r i e s a r e designed for safety and easy w iring and are manufactured in accordance w ith the appropriate B.S.I. specifica­

tion. Y o u r enquiries will receive our careful atten­

tion.

VICTOR H.IDD0N LTD. HARPER RD. WYTHENSHAWE.M/CR.

22

AUGUST

THE ELECTRICIAN

5 1 6

B U S H I N G S I N S U L A T O R S T U B E S

TEXOLEX LAMINATED PLASTICS COMBINE MECHANICAL STRENGTH

AND HIGH ELECTRICAL INSULATION PROPERTIES

T H E B U S H I N C CO. L T D

H E B B U R N - O N - T Y N E

T E L E P H O N E : H E B B Ü R N 3 2 2 4 »

T E L E G R A M S : B U S H I N G H E B B U R N LONDON OFFICE : IMPERIAL HOUSE

Kl NGSWAY, W.C2.TelrTEM BAR 9584

R I L E Y

R O B E R T ^ R I L E Y L T D

T E X O L E X 1Bk U88UBN OHUNfJ ^{... Æ}

springs, large or small springs;

springs tipped with precious metals, whatever your needs consult Riley of Rochdale, makers of quality springs and technical leaders since 1821.

M ILKSTO N E SP R IN G W O R K S, R O C H D A L E LAN CS.

Telephone : R O C HDALE 2237-8 Telegrams : -RILOSPRING ” ROCH D A L E

t h e e l e c t r i c i a n 22

AUGUST 1947

N o w a te r c a n c r e e p in s id e B.I. Callender’s D.P. Street Lighting Fuse Box for looped in L .T . cables up to 0.0225 square inches. A novel design effectively counteracts condensation and water seepage down the V.R. cables in­

side Street lighting standards. T he three point attachment cast-iron box, with single drop-down cover hinged at base and secured by a captive nut, carries two 15 amp. capacity fuses and will fit into most cast-iron hollow steel or pre-cast concrete lamp standards. Change over links can be supplied. Full details are available on application.

STREET L I G H T I N G FUSE BOXES

BRITISH IN SU LA TED CA LLEN D E R ’S CABLES LIM ITED

N O R F O L K H O U S E , N O R F O L K STR EET, L O N D O N , W . C .2

22

AUGUST

THE ELECTRICIAN

5 1 8

If you require Cotton, Silk or Enamel covered.copper wires . . .

’P h o n e : Prospect 1032 (3 lines). W ir e : “ Encosil, Richm ond, S u r r e y ”

o r W r it e t o :

KENT BROS. ELECTRIG WIRE CO. & E. H. PHILLIPS LTD.

KEW W ORKS, MORTLAKE ROAD, K EW GARDENS, RICHM OND, SURREY

Our By w o rd is Service

IT I Telebhone : Acorn 3904 Telegrams : lsenthal London

T H E E L E C T R I C I A N 22 A U G U S T 1947

Rapid Action

V O L T A G E R E G U L A T O R

0 For A.C. and D.C. Generators, Booster Sets, Steam, Diesel or Hydro - Electric Generating Plant.

0 Constant voltage maintained through wide variations of load, temperature and speed.

0 Extremely rapid and accurate, can be in­

stalled on existing or new generators, are inexpensive in first cost, require little or no maintenance and they are absolutely reliable.

0 They are easily fitted and we supply full information for installing.

I S f N T H A L C » V0LTAGTy lc P T0R

D U C O N W O R K S . V I C T O R I A R O A D , N O R T H A C T O N . L O N D O N , W . 3

T I I 6

W H E R E T H E Y U S E B A K E L I T E L A M I H A T E D

P hoto by courtesy af C. A. Parsons Gr Co.Ltd.

N o . 4 — D O M E S T I C R A D I O R E C E I V E R

l>y

M u r p h y R a d io L td .

Certain types o f M urphy radio receivers em p loyin g pu sh-button control demand an insulating material from w hich to produce extrem ely com plex pu nchings having close­

ly spaced holes and slots. M essrs. M urphy R adio Ltd. adopted Ba k e l i t e Lam inated for th is purpose and for th e term inal strips and all the contact strips in the construction

o f the sw itch itself. Ba k e l i t e Lam inated is a good electrical insulator w h ich punches easily and cleanly, is m echanically strong and dim ensionally stable.

In addition, the material is ligh t in w eight and resists heat, oils and acids. It is m ade in sheets up to 4 inches thick, rods and tubes.

B A K E L I T E <t> P L A S T I C S

R E G D . T R A D E M A R K S

Essential Materials for Essential Work .

22

AUGUST

5 2 0

N O .

8

'• C H I S is the story, sad but true, O f w hat befell Professor Pew,

Sacked from his cosy Brains T ru st chair, For advertising on the air.

T he question-m aster asked “ Can you Say w hen m ankind first used a screw ? ” And, w hile each exp ert scratched his head Professor P. spoke up and said :

“ It all depends on what you mean — Screw s w ere first used A .D . 16 — B ut nowadays m ankind does ow e G reat Progress to the screw — and so W h e n you need uniform ity

In small screw ed parts, try D & T ! ”

^ © A V I S &

T I M M I N S L-

Head Office : BILLET RD., W A L T H A M S T O W L O N D O N , E.I7

Phone: Larkswood 2313 (6 lines)

This e n a b le s the skirt to be fix ed after the w iring h a s b e e n com p leted and m ean s greater e a se for the w ire man.

Just another in g e n io u s add ition to the DS Fused

Plug and Socket r a n g e .

The rather rummy look ing object ab ove is one sectio n of the n e w DS Bkirt for surface mounting the DS conduit box type so ck et. The other sectio n Ib an absolute tw in . a n d th e y g e t to- g e th e r a s show n below .

Announcement of DS Plugs Ltd., Manchester . London - Glasgow. E1M47

T H E E L E C T R I C I A N . 22~ A U G U S T 1947

7 9 Y E A R S E X P E R I E H C E

AT YOUR SE R VI CE

W. T. C L O V E R & C O . , LTD.

T r a f f o r d P a r k , M a n c h e s t e r , 17

1 8 6 8 Cj L O V E R S manufactured braiding m achines w hich w ere then used to cotton braid iron w ire s for M y L a d y ’s C rin o lin e s. Sub sequently the braiding w as applied to copper w ires fo r telephone and bell circuits.

Later a layer o f pure ru b b e r was introduced u n d e r the braid, w hich provide d one o f the first form s o f the

electrical cable.

1 9 4 7 " ' G l o v e r s are still in the forefront as m anufacturers o f all]classes and types o f cables for e very electrical pu rp o se up to w o r k in g ''p r e s s u r e s , o f 1 3 2 kV.

J22

AUGUST

THE ELECTRICIAN

5 2 2

S M M -l

all metallic made from small y°ur

a to o lin g s u b s ta n tia l

L E Y t o n s to n e

a n d <a C t ° rY o » ' c e

b e t t e f E m p i r e H a l l , O L Y M P I A , L o n d o n

O c t o b e r I — O c t o b e r I I , 1 9 4 7 O rgan ise d by the Office Appliance

T rade s A ssociation o f Gt. Britain and Ireland, 11-13 D ow gate Hill, C ann on Street, London, E.C.4.

OPEN from 10 a.m.—8 p.m. daily (Except Sunday)

THE E L E C T R IC IA N 22 A U G U ST 1947

C O L L I N S

Collins Electrical Ltd.

Head Office

115

1

Central London Works

22

1

. West London Works a

9

0212-4

3227

8

or Southall

0168

REDESIGNS REWINDS

REPAIRS

22

AUGUST

THE ELECTRICIAN

5 2 4

THE ELECTRICIAN

AUGUST

We have M illions of Threads in Slock..

Carefully cut around Steel and Brass Rods of various lengths, from i t " to I " in diameter, we have millions of W h it ­ w orth B.S.F. and B.A. T h r e a d s in stock. Send us your enquiries for

Large P rom p t D e liv e ry

T E L C O L T D .

3 NEWMAN ST. LONDON

W .l Museum 5701

Registered Trade Mark.

m m

P O S I T I V E E A R T H I N G

Trouble-free Earthing is secured by using this highly efficient, heavy electro-tinned Bonding Clip for clamping Earth W iring in direct contact with Conduit Tube.

This Bonding Clip ensures positive and vibration proof earthing.

FOR

TUBES

S iz e s : I ' , T . 1 '. I f '. 14”. V C a n a l s o b e u s e d o n G a s and W ater Pipes.

For Gas Tubes - Sizes : For Lead Pipes - Size : 15/16"

Details of 'Metway* full range of Earth Clips is given i LIST No.: OE.3I/E.

E L E C T R IC A L IN D U S T R IE S K I N G S T R E E T , B R I G H T O N , I.

Phone : Brighton 8366. Grams : 'Metway,* Phone, Brighton.

M E T W A Y !

F R E D E R I C K S M I T H & C O M P A N Y

(Incorporated in The London Electric Wire Company and Smiths, Limited')

A N A C O N D A W O R K S . S A L F O R D 3 . L A N C S M a n u f a c t u r e d i n r a n d o m s t r a i g h t l e n g t h s

o r i n c u t p i e c e s t o m e e t y o u r r e q u i r e m e n t s .

W e should be glad to have your enquiries.

A ^{N ACO S}

C O M M U T A T O R S E C T I O N S

22

AUGUST 1947

D

Schistocerco gregarlo—Locusts— are on the march, and the Government of South Africa alone is spending

£500.000 a year destroying the vast hordes of these voracious little pests Locusts arc migratory grass­

hoppers about 2J‘ long; born with rudimentary wings, they rapidly develop and congregate in thou­

sands of millions. These huge swarms infest and lay waste many countries throughout the world Because of their fatty protein con­

tent, locusts have been used for food from the earliest biblical times and are still considered a delicacy by natives in many tropical lands.

b u t i t ’s e a s i e r t o s a y

E N F I E L D

f o r a l l C a b le s u p t o ^{1 3 2} k V

P A P E R ■ R U B B E R ■ P . V . C .

(©)

R A W M A T H !« , TO

E N F I E L D C A B L E S L I M I T E D . B R I M S D O W N , M I D D L E S E X

W o rk s: Telephone: H OW ard 2661 « London Offices: Telephone: H O L born 0591

THE ELECTRICIAN

AUGUST IQ

J

E L E C T R I C I

E S T A B L I S H E D 1 8 6 1

Botiverie House - 151 Fleet Street - London E C 4

Telegram s- " b e n b r o tr ic f l e e t L ond on” Telephone: c e n t r a l 3212 (12 lines) E d ito r : S t a n le y G. R a tte e , A .M .I.E .B . Publisher a n d M a n a g e r : J o h n V estey

Number 3610 22 A U G U S T 1947 Vol

N o.

C O N T E N T S

V iew s on C urrent A ffairs ... 527 P o r tr a it— M r. S a m u el F erg u so n 530 L o a d S p rea d in g N e x t W in te r ... 531 A b o u t T ra n sfo rm ers I I ... 533 E lectrica l P erso n a lities ... 538 S w an n D ip lo m a s ... 539 E lectrica l D e v e lo p m e n ts in In d ia ... 540 T h ree-p h a se I n d u c tio n M otors ... 541 C orrespon den ce ... 543 E lectrica l I n d u s tr y in P o la n d ... 544 T w o -w a y R a d io F a cilities fo r th e P ress 545 E q u ip m e n t a n d A p p lia n c e s ... 546 E le c tr ic ity S u p p ly ... 547 I n P a r lia m e n t... 548 I n d u s tr ia l In fo rm a tio n ... 549 E lectrica l I n v e n tio n s ... 551 C o n tra cts O p en ... 552 C o m p a n y N e w s ... 553 C om m ercial In fo rm a tio n ... 556

MIDLANDS OFFICE:

Daimler House, Paradise Street, Birmingham Telephone: Midlands 0784—5

SCOTTISH OFFICE:

116, Hope Street, Glasgow, C.2 Telephone: Central 3970

The offices of The Electrician are closed on Saturdays in accordance wish the 11 Five-day Week** plan adopted by Benn Brothers, Ltd.

SINGLE COPY (FRIDAY) (BY POST) ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION HOME AND OVERSEAS

6d.

8d.

30 s.

E n g a g e m e n t O r d e r s

T

T h e e x p e r ie n c e o f t h e w a r y e a r s p r o v e d t h a t t h e d ir e c tio n o f la b o u r w a s n o t o n ly w a s te fu l, b u t so far a s t h e e le c tr ic a l in d u s tr y /was c o n c er n e d , s o m e th in g o f a m ix e d b le ssin g . T h e r e a s o n for th is c ritic ism , a p a r t a lto g e th e r fr o m p o litic a l issu e s , i s b a s e d o n t h e f a c t t h a t th e M in is tr y o f L a b o u r o fficials, in th e a b s e n c e o f a n y in t im a t e k n o w le d g e o f th e in d u s tr y c o n co rn o d , c a n , w h e n in te r p r e t­

in g O rd ers r e la tin g t o te c h n ic a l p e r ­ so n n e l, o n ly th in k in te rm s o f th e n u m b e r o f w o r k e r s d ir e c te d . T h e m o s t im p o r ta n t fa c to r in th o o p e r a tio n o f a n O rd er c o n tr o llin g th e m o v e m e n t o f la b o u r, h o w e v e r , m u s t, if i t i s t o b e o f a n y re a l a s s is t a n c e in in c r e a s in g o u tp u t, b o to d ir e c t to t h e in d u s tr y in q u e s tio n o n ly th o s e w h o h a v e a t l e a s t s o m e k n o w ­ le d g e o f th e in d u s tr y , o r a r e m e n ta lly a le r t e n o u g h to b e a b le to a b s o r b in s tr u c ­ tio n in m a t t e r s r e la t iv e t o i t ; a fa c to r w h ic h , th o u g h p e r h a p s a p p r e c ia te d b y t h e M in is tr y , is u n d e r s ta n d a b ly d iffic u lt for C iv il S e r v ic e c le rk s t o e a te r for.

R ig h t ly o r w r o n g ly , o u r u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e p r o p o s a ls in t h e n e w O rd er w ill

5 2 8

r e q u ir e e m p lo y e e s a t p r e s e n t e n g a g e d in e s s e n tia l in d u s tr ie s t o r em a in in th a t e m p lo y m e n t, w h ile th o s e e m p lo y e d in n o n -e s s o n tia l in d u s tr ie s w ill n o t b e a ffe c te d u n le s s th o y s e e k n o w e m p lo y er s.

I n t h e la t t e r e v e n t t h e y w ill fa ll w ith in t h e sc o p e o f t h e O rd er a n d b e d ir ec ted b y t h e M in is tr y to e s s e n t ia l in d u s tr y . I t i s n o t y e t c le a r w h a t m a y b e r e g a r d e d a s e s s e n tia l o r n o n -e s s e n tia l in d u s tr y — a n d in v ie w o f t h e e x p o r tin g v a lu e o f p r a c tic a lly e v e r y fo r m o f i n ­ d u s tr y , t-ho d e fin itio n s w ill b e h a rd to d e te r m in e — b u t u n t il a w o rk er is b o th u n e m p lo y e d a n d p r e p a r ed to s e e k a n o w jo b , h e o r s h e w ill b e u n a ffe c te d b y th e O rd er. I n t h o s e c ir c u m s ta n c e s t h e p r o p o s a ls w o u ld a p p ea r to b e n e g a tiv e o f b o t h p u r p o se a n d r e s u lt ,u n le s s su p p lie s o f fu e l a n d r a w m a te r ia ls w e r e w it h ­ h e ld fr o m t h e le s s e s s e n tia l in d u s tr ie s to force d ism iss a ls. K su c h a p o lic y i s in t h e m in d s o f t h o s e n o w fr a m in g th e O rd er i t m u s t b e a b a n d o n e d fo r th w ith , for. th o u g h i t w o u ld d o u b tle s s p r o v id e th e M in is try o f L a b o u r w it h n a m e s u p o n its h o o k s, i t s e ffe c t u p o n p r o d u c tiv e in ­ d u str y , b o t h e s s e n tia l a n d n o n -e s se n tia l, a n d u p o n o u r e x p o r t tra d e, w o u ld n o t o n ly b e d is a s tr o u s , b u t, s in c e i t is n o t p r o p o s e d to m o v e w o r k e r s a w a y from th e ir h o m e s , -would a ls o c r e a te u n e m p lo y ­ m e n t in t h o s e p la c e s w h e r e r e c r u its for e s s e n tia l jo b s o u tn u m b e r e d v a c a n c ie s.

R eq u est an d H ope

T H E e le c t r ic a lin d u s t r y t o -d a y , i s r eg a r d e d i n o fficial c ir cle s a s h a v in g a n a p p r e c ia b ly h ig h er p r io r ity v a lu e th a n d u r in g t h e w ar for, a s im p ortan t- a s it w a s fr o m a n a tio n a l p o i n t o f v ie w i n t h o s e y e a r s , n o t . u n til t h e p o s t-w a r p e r io d , w e r e a r r a n g e ­ m e n t s p u t into, e ffe c t for m a k in g g o o d t h e le e w a y lo s t in g e n e r a tin g p la n t r e ­ p la c e m e n ts a n d e x t e n s io n s ; n o t u n t il th e p o s t-w a r y e a r s w a s t h e in d u s t r y g iv e n p r e fe r e n tia l t r e a t m e n t w it h r e s p e c t to s te e l a n d o th e r r a w m a te r ia ls fo r th e m a n u fa ctu re , o f g e n e r a tio n e q u ip m e n t.

S o o n a fte r th e c o n d itio n s c r e a te d b y lo a d s h e d d in g a n d t h e fu e l c risis l a s t w in te r h a d c o n v in c e d th e G o v e r n m e n t t h a t t h e w a r n in g s o f th e: e le c tr ic a l in d u s tr y w ere n o t t h e p o litic a l p r o p a g a n d a th e M in ister o f F u e l d e c la r e d th e m to b e ­ a t th e I.M .E .A . C o n v e n tio n a t B la c k p o o l

— th e M in is tr y o f S u p p ly , i t w ill b e r em e m b e r e d , p u t - in t o o p e r a tio n m achinery- d e s ig n e d t o e n su r e a d é q u a te ; la b o u r a n d m a te r ia ls fo r t h e m a n u fa c tu r e

o f h e a v y e le c tr ic a l p la n t a n d b o ilers.

T h a t m a c h in e r y is s t ill o p e r a tin g , a n d b e c a u s e o f it , th e r e is r e a s o n to e x p e c t t h a t o n a n d a fte r O cto b er 1, t h e in d u s tr y m a y h a v e d ir e c te d to it , u n d er t h e n e w E n g a g e m e n t O rder, s o m e o f t h e la b o u r fa llin g w it h in t h e sc o p e o f t h a t O rder.

I f s u c h s h o u ld p r o v e to b e t h e c a se , m a y w e b e s e e c h t h e p o w e r s -th a t-b o t o a p p ly t o th e ir in te r p r e ta tio n o f t h e n e w O rder a n in te llig e n c e g r e a te r th a n t h a t d is ­ p la y e d w it h r e s p e c t to t h e o ld ?

A bout th e G rid

O N E o f t h e r e s u lts o f lo a d s h e d d in g a n d r e s tr ic tio n in . c u r r e n t c o n s u m p tio n h a s b e o n a n in c re a se in t h e g e n e r a l in t e r e s t d is p la y e d in e le c tr ic a l m a tte r s . T h is is in d ic a te d b y th e n u m b e r o f in q u ir ie s w h ic h h a v e r e a c h e d t h e C en tra l B o a r d d u rin g r e c e n t m o n th s — p a r tic u la r ly fro m s c h o o ls, c o lle g e s, a n d o th e r e d u c a tio n a l in s t it u t io n s — a n d t o s a t is f y t h is d e m a n d fo r in fo r m a tio n , a n illu s tr a te d b ro ch u re e n t it le d “ T h e G rid ” h a s b e e n p r e p a r e d for free d is tr ib u tio n . . F r o m t h e p o in t o f - v ie w o f th e e le c tr ic a l in d u s tr y t h e b o o k d o e s n o t c o n t a in m u c h t h a t is p a r t ic u ­ l a r ly 'n e w , b u t. d r a w s a . g o o d d e a l o n m a te r ia l g iv e n in t h e a n n u a l r e p o r ts o f t h e B o a r d a n d e ls e w h e r e ; i t is, in fa c t, s im p ly a n a t t e m p t — a n d a v e r y g o o d a t t e m p t — t o p r e s e n t a c o -o r d in a te d a n d c o m p r e h e n s iv e a c c o u n t o f t h e g rid a n d i t s p la c e in t h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f t h e s u p p ly in d u str y . I t is a b o o k w h ic h h a s b e e n w a n te d for s o m e tim e, a n d s h o u ld d o m u c h to h e lp th e n o n -te c h n ic a l p u b lic a p p r e c ia te t h e r e a s o n s fo r t h e in c o n ­ v e n ie n c e s t o w h ic h t h e y a r e s o m e tim e s s u b je c te d d u rin g c o ld sp ells, e tc ., a n d t h e d iffic u lt p o s itio n in w h ic h t h e g e n e ra ­ t io n sid e o f t h e in d u s tr y f o u n d it s e lf a t t h e e n d o f t h e w ar.

L oad S hedding N ext W in ter

A R R A N G E M E N T S a r e b e in g d r a w n u p in t h e s u p p ly in d u str y ' f o r ' m e e t in g t h e lo a d n e x t w in te r in su c h a w a y - a s to r ed u c e t h e h a z a r d s o f s h e d d in g , a n d a s t a t e m e n t u p o n t h e p r o c e d u r e to . b e a d o p t e d is g iv e n in th is issu e. I n b rief, p r e lim in a r y ta r g e t fig u res w ill b e c o m ­ m u n ic a te d to e le c t r ic it y u n d e r ta k in g s b y t h e a r ea m a n a g e r s o f t h e C en tral B o a r d , b a s e d u p o n in fo r m a tio n w ith r e s p e c t t o a n t ic ip a t e d d e m a n d , s u p p lie d e a c h w e e k b e tw e e n O cto b er a n d M arch n e x t h v t h e u n d e r ta k in g s th e m s e lv e s .

THE ELECTRICIAN

AUGUST 1947

c o m m e n c e s, b u t if a n y d ifficu lty a rises in r e a c h in g a g r e e m e n t w ith t h e a rea m a n a g e r s , t h e C o m m iss io n er s m a y b e referred to . W h e n lo a d h a s to b e sh e d to r e a c h t h e ta r g e t figu re, e v e r y th in g p o s s ib le w ill b e d o n e to m a in ta in su p p lie s to th o s e in d u s tr ia l u n d e r ta k in g s w h o h a v e , to t h e s a t is f a c t io n o f th e R e g io n a l B o a r d s, a r ra n g ed to s p r e a d th e ir lo a d s or w h o h a v e sh o w n t h a t t h e y a r e u n a b le to d o so, b u t e v e n if lo a d h a s to be red u ced ' b e lo w th e ta r g e t le v e l, e ffo rts w ill s t ill bo m a d e to m a in ta in th o m o s t im p o r ta n t in d u s tr ia l s u p p lie s.

S u p p ly C uts by R o ta

A U T H O R I T I E S a r e n o w c o n sid e r in g w h a t s t e p s to t a k e t o r ed u c e lo a d , a n d in t h is c o n n e c tio n th o r o ta sc h e m e b e in g a d o p t e d b y a n u m b er o f u n d e r ta k in g s h a s m u c h to c o m m e n d it.

T h is is a s c h e m e b y w h ic h t h e d is tr ib u ­ tio n n e tw o r k i s d iv id e d in t o (sa y ) five s e c tio n s w h ic h ca n b e s w itc h e d o u t in d a ily r o ta tio n . B y tlfis m o a n s lo a d s h e d d in g is c o n fin e d t o o n e p a rticu la r s e c tio n o f th o n e tw o r k o n o n e w o rk in g d a y o f t h e w e e k , a n d c o n su m e r s c o n ­ n e c t e d t o t h a t s e c tio n c a n r ea s o n a b ly r e ly o n im m u n it y fr o m lo a d s h e d d in g o n oth o r d a y s . W ith regard to ta r g e t d ir e c tio n s , s u p p ly a u th o r itie s ■will b e e x p e c te d to o b s e r v e th e m in full, a n d a n y n e c e s s a r y a c t io n t a k e n t o ’ en fo rce th e m w ill b e o fficia lly su p p o rte d .

Steel an d E le c tric a l P la n t

T H E w a y s o f a ll G o v e r n m e n ts a re p ec u lia r , b u t r e v ie w e d a g a in s t a b a c k ­ g r o u n d o f h a rd in d u str ia l fa c ts , th o s e o f t h e p r e s e n t r e s id e n ts a t W e s tm in s te r are m o m d ifficu lt t o -u n d ersta n d th a n m o st.

T h e M in is tr y o f S u p p ly is, i t is c la im ed , d o in g a ll in it s p o w er t o in c r e a s e a n d to h a s te n th o p r o d u c tio n o f h e a v y ele c tr ica l p la n t in ord er to m a k e g o o d t h e sh o r ta g e in " n a tio n a l g e n e r a tin g c a p a c ity . A m o n g th e r e q u ir e m e n ts to m e e t th o s e c o n d itio n s i s a m u c h n e e d e d in c r e a se in t h e .s u p p l y o f e le c tr ic a l-’ s te e ls , a n d i t w o u ld b e r e a s o n a b le in t h e c ir cu m ­ s ta n c e s , th erefore,: to e x p e c t tihat t h e s t e e l in d u s tr y w o u ld b o e n c o u r a g e d b y th e G o v e r n m e n t to' n o t o n ly carry o n a s b e s t . i t c a n w it h the, c o a l a n d o th e r sh o r ­ t a g e s to w h ic h i t lia s b e e n s u b je c te d , b u t to m a k o e v e r y effo rt t o in c r e a se i t s o u t ­

p la n s a re lik e ly to c a r r y in th o ir w ak e.

W h e th e r or n o t t h e in d u s tr y s h o u ld b e n a tio n a lis e d is, s o fa r a s t h is n o t e is c o n ­ cern ed , q u it e b e s id e t h e p o in t, in t h a t th o m a jo r o c c u p a tio n o f t h e in d u s tr y s h o u ld b e to p r o d u c e m o r e a n d m o r e s te e l, a n d t h a t o f th e G o v e r n m e n t to e n c o u r a g e t h a t p r o d u c tio n . T h e r e c a n b e lit t le d o u b t t h a t t h e e a r ly n a tio n a lis a ­ tio n p r o p o s a ls w it h r e s p e c t . to e le c tr ic ity s u p p ly w o u ld h a v e h a d a n a p p r e c ia b le e ffe c t u p o n d e v e lo p m e n t h a d g e n e r a tin g p la n t, tr a n s m is s io n Une p o le s, ca b les, e tc ., b e e n a v a ila b le , a n d th e r e se e m s n o r e a d y r e a s o n fo r th in k in g t h a t a n y n a tio n a lis a tio n p r o g r a m m e fo r t h e s t e e l in d u s tr y m a y n o t b e e q u a lly d istu r b in g . A c o n d itio n .w h ich m a y u ltim a te ly b e r e fle c te d in th e m a n u fa c tu r e o f h e a v y e le c tr ic a l p la n t.

T echnical M an -P o w er in In d u stry

T H E e le c tr ic a l in d u s tr y h a s o n m a n y o c ca s io n s d r a w n a t t e n t io n to th e s c a r c ity o f te c h n ic a l m a ti-p o w e r .a n d th e im p o r ta n c e o f r esea rch in t h e r es to r a tio n o f ou r e c o n o m ic s t a b ilit y , b u t in a s t a t e ­ m e n t b y ; t h e - A s s o c ia tio n o f S c ien tific W o r k e rs la s t w e e k , c r itic ism w a s m a d e to t h e e ffe c t t h a t fr o m a n a tio n a l p o in t o f v ie w t h e b e s t u s e is n o t b e in g m a d e o f e x is t in g r eso u rces. T h o a s s o c ia tio n c o n ­ s id e r s t h a t th o a p p lic a tio n o f s c ie n c e a n d te c h n o lo g y to in d u s tr y is n o t su ffic ie n tly r e c o g n ise d in th e o fficia l e c o n o m ic r e c o v e r y p ro g ra m m es, a n d m a k e s tw o p r o p o s a ls w h ic h , i t b e lie v e s , w o u ld a llo w te c h n ic a l m a n -p o w e r to c o n t r ib u t e m o r e e ffe c tiv e ly to t h e n a t io n a l e ffo r t. T h e s e a re, in b r ie f, t h a t th e te c h n ic a l m a n ­ p o w er e n g a g e d in le s s e s s e n t ia l w o r k s h o u ld b o r e d u c e d in n u m b e r s a n d a g r e a te r c o n c e n tr a tio n s h o u ld b e m a d e o n w o r k lik e ly to h a v e e a r ly p r a c tic a l resu lts. A m o n g t h e le s s e s s e n t ia l n e e d s t h e a s s o c ia t io n c o u n t s d e fe n c e , w h er e t h e s c ie n tific s tr e n g th , i t s u g g e s ts , s h o u ld b e c u t b y a t le a s t a th ir d . W o h a v e n o k n o w le d g e o f t h e f a c ts u p o n , w h ic h th e a s s o c ia tio n b a s e s i t s s t a t e m e n t , b u t h a v in g so m o e x p e r ie n c e o f r esea rch c o n ­ d it io n s in t h e e le c tr ic a l in d u s tr y , a n y s u g g e s tio n t lia t e x is t in g r e s o u r ce s in. th e in d u s t r y a r e n o t b e in g , p u t t o th e ir b e s t u s e w o u ld n o t o n ly b e r e s e n te d b u t w o u ld b e u n fo u n d e d .

22

AUGUST

P o r t r a i t — M r . S a m u e l F e r g u s o n

5 3 0

T

S om e in d ica tio n of th e character o f the m an , e v e n a t th a t early age, is g iv en by th e fa c t th a t du ring h is fou r y e a r s ’ p u p il­

age w ith th e D . a nd S. organisation, for th e m o st p a rt sp en t in th e draw ing office, Mr. F ergu son in order to gain a b etter k n ow led ge o f w orkshop practice, a tten d ed th o fa c to r y a t 6 a .m . ea ch d a y , before, assum in g his n orm al m orning du ties.

L eavin g D .a n d S. .to ta k e up an ap p oin t­

m e n t as d rau gh tsm an on h .t . sw itchgear w ith F erran ti, L td ., Mr. F ergu son su b se­

q u en tly b ecam e ch ief d rau gh tsm an in th a t co m p a n y ’s C ontract D ep a rtm en t, v a ca tin g tho p osition in 1913 w h en F erran ti, L td ., d e cid ed to d iscon tin u e sw itch gear m an u fac­

ture. C on vin ced th a t th ere w as scop e for sw itch b oard p rod u ction in th e in d u stry , h ow ever, Mr. F ergu son , w ith th e con ­ currence a n d g o o d w ish es of h is old em p loyers, sta r ted w ith Mr. G eorge P ailin th e b u sin ess F ergu son a n d P ailin, w hich th ou gh to -d a y un d er oth er control, still bears th eir n am es in a different form .

In 1926, th e B .T -H . Co., L td ., m ade a n offer for t h e sh ares of F ergu son P ailin, L td ., w h ich b y th e n h ad b ecom e a lim ited co m p a n y , a n d th e tw o com panies, on th e offer b ein g a c ce p te d , becam e associated , w ith Mr. F ergu son a ctin g as m anaging director of th e la tter for six te en years.

In 1937, Mr. F ergu son form ed an or­

ganisation , Cooke a n d F erguson , L td ., to tak e over a stru ctu ral en gin eerin g b u siness and to in trod u ce electrically-w eld ed fa b ri­

ca tio n w ork. A sh o rt tim e before war broke o u t. th is com p an y w a s called u p on to un d ertak e a large a m o u n t o f w ork for th e A d m iralty, to g eth er w ith th e m a n u ­ factu re of air screw hu bs and la rg e com po­

n en ts for M anchester bom b ers— th ose d eep w in ged m ach in es w h ich p reced ed th e L an­

caster. In co n seq u en ce of th is w ork, th e stru ctu ra l ste el side o f th e b u sin ess w as g iv en u p , and Mr. F ergu son b ecam e th e sole proprietor.

In 1942, Mr. F ergu son resign ed th e p o sitio n a s m anaging director of F ergu son P ailin , L td .. to a ssum e a lik e position w ith Cooke and F ergu son, L t d . ; a n d d u r­

in g tho sam e y ea r h e acquired th e b u sin ess o f V ictor H . Id d on , L td .

D u rin g th e w ar y e a rs three fu rth er fa c ­ tories w ere ad d ed to th e original 65 000 sq.

THE ELECTRICIAN

f t ., raising th e em p lo y m en t p o te n tia l o f the C ooke a n d F erg u so n organ isation from 40 in 1937 to 2 000.

Mr. F ergu son w as aw arded th e Joh n H o p k in so n prem ium for a p ap er o n “ A G eneral S u rv ey o f th e H ig h T en sion S w itch gear F ie ld ,” w h ich h e read before th e I .E .E . in 1926; h e h a s a flair for finance a n d econ om ics an d h a s b een a m em b er of th e E x e c u tiv e of tho M an­

ch e ster E n g in eerin g E m p lo y ers’ A ssociation for m a n y y ea rs. H e h as also serv ed on tho B .E .A .M .A . C ouncil. H o is a long sta n d in g m em b er o f th e M anchester R o ta ry Club, w as oleeted v ice- p residen t, b u t war-w ork p reven ted him from proceeding to th e presid en cy.

In March, 1945, Mr. F ergu son g a v e an add ress before th o M an ch ester E n gin eering C ouncil on th e 40-hour w e ek , w h ich to ­ g eth er w ith a n add ress o n th e sa m e su b ject b y a Mr. E . J en n iso n w as su b seq u en tly p rin ted in b o o k let form a n d p resen ted to th e E con om ics L eagu e for inclu sion in th a t n on -p olitical b o d y ’s literatu re.

Mr. F ergu son in clu d es am on g h is h ob bies a n d p a stim es . . . lo n g co u n try w a lk s and golf. H o liv e s a t W ilm slow , Cheshire, and his w ife is tho w ell-k n ow n au th or R u b y F ergu son . H e h a s tw o so n s, b o th o f w h om are en gaged in th eir fa th e r ’s b u sin ess.

22

AUGUST

M a x i m u m D e m a n d T a r g e t s f o r P e r i o d O c t o b e r t o M a r c h

W

m e n ts b ein g m a d e b y th e R egional B oards for In d u str y for sp read in g th e load n e x t w in ter w ill resu lt in a su b sta n tia l re­

d u ctio n in the m a x im u m dem an d o n th e g rid sy s tem , occasion s aro still lik ely to arise w h en lo a d sh ed d in g w ill b e n ecessary.

T h e C entral E lec tric ity B oard, th e Com­

m issioners a n d th e E lec tric ity J o in t Com­

m ittee h a v e , therefore, b een considering variou s sch em es fo r av o id in g th e difficul­

ties w h ich occu rred la st w in ter.

As a resu lt of th e se delib erations, a sciiem e ; has b een e v o lv e d b y w h ic h each u n dertak er w ill h a v e a ta r g et m axim um dem an d to w h ich h is load m u s t be reduced w h en called up on to do so b y th e Central B oard eith er d ir ec tly or ind irectly.

PAST EXPERIENCE

I t w ill be rem em b ered t h a t during last w inter th e n a tio n a l p la n t /lo a d position w as su ch th a t lo a d h a d to be sh ed on m o st w orking d a y s du rin g th e period N ovem b er to F eb ru ary. T h e m o st acu te period occurred in lato .January, 19-17, w h en tho a m o u n t o f load sh ed w as in th e region o f 2 Q00 M W and du ration of sh ed ­ d in g w as on occasion as m uch as 12 hours in on e d ay.

T h o m e th o d th en a d o p ted for shed ding wus for th e C .E .B . control to issu e instruc­

tio n s in o n e o r m ore areas to all th e under­

tak ers tak in g direct su p p lies from the board, to red uce th eir load s, b y step s of 5 per c e n t., as n ecessa ry t o p rev en t the freq u en cy fallin g b elow 48.0 cycles.

T h e ob jection s t o .this procedure were tho im p o ssib ility o f m ak in g th o necessary a rran gem en ts w ith consu m ers in sufficient tim e to a v o id risk o f d an ger t o w orkpeople a n d dam ago to eq u ip m e n t; lack o f dis­

crim in ation b etw een un d ertak ers h a v in g a large proportion of in d u strial load and th o se w h o se load s w ere m a in ly d o m estic;

th e lack o f discrim in ation b etw een un d er­

takers an d consu m ers w h o h a d m ade v o lu n ta ry red u ction s in th eir dem and s, by load staggerin g or o th er m ea n s, a nd th ose w ho h a d n o t co-op erated in th is w a y ; tho lack o f a n y prior in d ication of th e probable m agn itu d e of th e outs to b e im posed, or c onversely o f th e in d ivid u al m axim um loads w h ich m ig h t b e a c ce p ted h a v in g regard to th e p la n t a c tu a lly availab le.

I n th e ab sen ce o f sp ecial m easu res for lim itin g p e a k load s, th e p la n t/lo a d posi­

tion in th e com in g w in ter w ill b e m ore seriou s, in sim ilar w eath er con d ition s, th a n th a t ex p erien ced la st w in ter. Considera­

tio n is, therefore, b e in g g iv en to a n e w 22

AUGUST

procedure for red u cin g lo a d w h ich is free from th e a b o v e o b jectio n s. P rop osals h a v e been m a d e -from a n u m b er o f sou rces th a t a d v a n ce in fo rm a tio n sh ou ld b e g iv e n of th e m a x im u m u n d ertak in g load s w h ich cou ld s a fe ly b e carried du rin g th e w in ter period an d in v estig a tio n s h a v e b e en m ade into tho p ra ctica b ility o f th ese proposals.

T h e m a x im u m d em an d s u p o n th e board, e stim a te d b y th o in d ivid u al un dertak ers ea rly in 1947 for n e x t w in ter, are n o t a su ita b le basis for a sch em e of

“ ta r g et ” m a x im u m d em and s sin ce th ere are in d ica tio n s th a t a large p rop ortion o f those e stim a tes w as u n d u ly in flu en ced b y th e ab n orm al d em an d s s e t up du rin g the fuel crisis.

T h e m a x im u m d em and s o n th e board a c tu a lly record ed in J a n u a ry a n d F eb ru ­ ary, 1947, are also u n su ita b le a s under­

tak ers w ere a ffected to v a ry in g e x te n ts b y tho fu e l sh ortage.

In a ll th e circu m sta n ces i t is f e lt th a t th e m a x im u m d em a n d s a c tu a lly record ed during t h e m o n th s o f N o v em b er a n d D ecem ber, 1946, w ou ld form th e m o st su itab le b a sis. M oderately cold iveath er h ad -been exp erien ced du rin g th is period, b u t there w as n o ev id en ce th a t th e sh ort­

age, o r th r ea ten ed sh ortage, o f solid fu el h ad y e t m a teria lly affec ted th o dem and s.

W ith th o a d o p tio n o f su ch a b a sis it w ould , o f course, bo n ecessa ry to ta k e in to acco u n t p ro sp ectiv e d ev e lo p m en t b o th in industrial an d non -in du strial lo a d s for tho ensu in g year.

U n d ertak ers w ero therefore a sk ed to g iv e in form ation regarding th o resp ectiv e p ercen tage con trib u tion s to T h e peak load s recorded in N ovem b er-D eeem b er, 1946, o f pu blic lig h tin g a n d traction , in d u strial consum ers, general con su m ers, and also to givo th o a d d ition al in d u stria l load which th e y e x p e cte d to co n n ect b y n e x t w in ter.

A t th e sam e tim e an e stim a te w a s m ade, on th e m o st u p -to -d a te in form ation , o f th e p la n t ca p a city w h ich w ou ld be av a ila b le in each of th e b oard ’s areas th rou gh ou t th e period O ctober, 1947, to M arch, 1948.

A N T IC IPA T ED DEMAND

T h ese p lan t figures, a m o u n tin g in J a n u ­ ary, 1948, to a to ta l o f 9 530 000 k W , rep resent th e sim u lta n eo u s d em a n d w h ich can bo m e t a t stan d ard freq u en cy pro­

v id ed t h a t n o u n ex p ec te d p la n t em ergen cy arises. O n th e d iv ersity a c tu a lly ex p e ri­

en ced in N ovem b er-D eeem b er, 1946, th e corresponding aggregate o f area m axim u m d em an d s in J a n u a ry , 1948, w ou ld b e 9 742 000 k W , and th e su m o f th e d em an d s

THE ELECTRICIAN