The Electrician : the oldest weekly illustrated journal of electrical engineering, industry, science and finance, Vol. 139, No. 16 (3618)

ELECTRIC RESISTANCE WELDING

O C T O B ER 1947 S IX P E N C E

m e t e w

Production engineers will find this publication on

“ Electric Resistance W eld­

in g ” a useful guide to the wide range o f standard r e­

sistance welders designed and m a n u f a c t u r e d by B.I. Callender’s. It gives in­

formation on spot, seam and flash butt machines available for welding steel, alumin­

ium, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys. Write to-day for your copy o f publication N o . 214P on

MmasspN

PARK — MANCHESTER 17.

The A ra p u n i Station o f the State H y d ro -E le c tric Dept, o f N e w Z e a la n d , w hich co nta in s four 2 4 ,0 0 0 -k V A M e tro v ic k waterw heel ge n erato rs coupled to B o v in g w ater turbines.

xi/hen dauliqhl fades

CW/702

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 17 O C T O B E R 1947

CALVAN/SED SECT/ONAL STEEL

LIGHTING STANDARDS

H E X A G O N A L

□

C I R C U L A R HOT SPELTER G A L V A N I S E D

A F T E R MANUFACTURE

S u p p l i e d to NORTHAMPTON LIGHT AND PO W ER C O . LTD.

!

SHEFFIELD CORPORATION L IG H T IN G DEPARTMENT

SEND FOR CATALOGUE EN/240

T Y B U R N R5 E R D I N G T O N

B I R M I N G H A M 24

T E L E G R A M S & C A B L E S ¡ ' P O L E S ’ B I R M I N G H A M "

C O D E S : B E N T L E Y S 2".° A . B . C . 5 ™

P o l e s L™

17 O C T O B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

A

i no

B I R M I N G H A M B R I G H T O N B R I S T O L

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

B U R Y S T E D M U N D S L E E D S L O N D O N C A R D I F F L E I C E S T E R M A N C H E S T E R G L A S G O W L I V E R P O O L N E W C A S T L E The last of the Thames bridges east of London.

Designed by Sir Horace Jones and Sir J. W olfe Barry. Completed 1894. O n the right of the picture the Tow er of London is seen in the distance

CRYSE

T H E T O W E R B R ID G E

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

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 17 O C T O B E R 1947

WHERE THEY USE BAKELITE LAMINATED

P h o to b y c o u r te sy o j C . A . Parsons & C o .L td .

N o . 8 —

C I R C U I T B R E A K E R S o f J . G . S t a t t c r & C o. L t d .

In the construction of their n kvHigh Rup­

turing Capacity Circuit Breakers, Messrs.

J. G. Statter & Co. Ltd. employ Ba k e l i t e

Laminated. It is used for the lifting rods, which are bolted to the moving V-bar contact saddle casting at the lower end, and to the cross-head casting at the upper end.

Ar ...

It is also adopted for coupling the dashpots at the lower end o f the cross-head guides.

In addition to its high efficiency as an electrical insulator Ba k e l i t e Laminated is tough, easily machined and resists heat, oils and acids. It is available in sheets up to 4 inches thick, and as rods and tubes.

B A K E L IT E <t> P L A S T IC S

REGD. TRADE MARKS

Essential Materials fo r Essential Work

B A K E L I T E L I M I T E D • I J i G R O S V E N O R G A R D E N S • L O N D O N • S . W . I

1 7 O C T O B ER 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1 1 1 2

STAN DARD V.I.R. CABLES

& F L E X IB L E S ARE N O W A V A IL A B L E FROM STOCK AT ANY J. & P. ^BRANCH

D uring the past seven years we have frequently pro­

mised a return o f J. & P. Service as quickly as war (and as we later realised, post-war) difficulties would permit.

W e now redeem our promise — large stocks of standard types of V .I.R . cables are held by every branch . . . ready to meet your demands as they were m et in the days o f plenty.

I t is regretted that a national shortage o f lead prevents us giving the service on lead-covered cables that we are able to offer on other standard types, but we hold good stocks o f effective substitutes.

J O H N S O N & P H I L L I P S L T D .

C H A R L T O N , „ L O N D O N S. E. 7

W m l k t m a l í t U t M £ M i t k c i íit íU m m ¡m a u c M u , - ■ ■■

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 17 O CTO BER 1947

D

E l e c t r o l y t i c s

f o r a l l O

r S t a r t ’

p u r p o s e s

leialisation always produces the

^besh It is because DALY manufacture only electrolytic condensers that their world-wide reputation in the electrical field stands so high.

DALY build for all electrical require­

ments and welcome difficult electro­

lytic problems, priding themselves on the flexibility of their organisation and ability to supply special types.N

GENERAL TYPES —

T Y P E NO.

P.M . 41/8

T Y P E NO. CAPACITY VOLTS (R.M.SU^

P.M . 12/6 30 M FD 110 V.

P.M . 45/6 60 M FD >

P.M . 49/6 100 M FD ..

P.M . 51/6 130 M FD •«

P.M . 52/6 150 M FD ..

P.M . 55/6 200 M FD

240 V.

P.M . 45/8 60 M FD

P.M . 12/8 30 M FD >

P.M . 9/8 20 MFD *»

P.M . 41/8 50 M FD

”

D A L Y ( C O N D E N S E R S )

West Lodge Works, The Green, Ealing, Phone: Ealing 4841.

>

don, W.S.

17 O C T O B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1 1 1 4

W ho was the Harrovian who electrified his old school?

Of all the famous Britons who came from that famous school, few shone more bri ght l y on the worl d than Rookes Evelyn Bell Crompton (later Colonel, R.E., C.B., F.R.S., M.Inst.

C.E., M.Inst. E.E.), who after an exciting career as soldier and explorer became a leading light o f the elec­

trical engineering world.

Not only did he instal the

first electric lighting plants in such diverse places as Buckingham Palace and Tibet ; the Vienna Opera House and Tilbury Docks ; he also (in 1890) brought electric light to “ the Hill ” at the request and expense of the masters.

(rompton

Today, people who want the latest in lighting come to the Crompton Parkinson organization. They are certain of Lamps and Lighting Equipment that lead the way in efficiency and a technical advisory service second to none.

L A M P S & L I G H T I N G E Q U I P M E N T

F O R T H E L A T E S T I N L I G H T I N G

C R O M P T O N P A R K I N S O N L I M I T E D , A S T O R H O U S E , A L D W Y C H , L O N D O N , W .C .2

^T elep ho ne : C H A ncery 2 2 2 5 , ______________________________________Telegrams : Crompark, Estrand, London

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N i 7 O C T O B E R 1947

light to handle and insta]

Impervious to rust

EDA interchangeability

i

All sub circuits separately fused

instantly removable hob x oven interioi

Thermostatic oven control

Simmering device if required

Enquiries to P A R N A L L

L T D • 4 3 P A R K S T R E E T • L O N D O N - W 1

17 OCTOBER 1947 THE E LEC T R IC IA N

1116

FLUORESCENT ELECTRICAL COMPANY

159A & B M I D L A N D R O A D

T R A D F

I IGHTING

MARK L O N D O N • E.l 0

fittings^ , Phone : LEYtonstone 2045

P R O M P T D E L IV E R Y , C O M P E T IT IV E P R IC E S, ILLU S T R A T ED LEA FLETS O N R E Q U E ST .

DR/140

i Dispersive Reflectors quickly de­

tachable to facilitate easy cleaning and maintenance. Maximum distribution of light below the horizontal with 20 degree cut-off.

• Fixing,B.E.S.A. box, t conduit,or chain suspen­

sion. 2'6" centres.

• Construction. 18 & 20g. Steel sheet.

• Finish. Pre-treated and convection stoved 2 coats, giving a durable and lasting surface of the highest reflective value CF/140

I N D U S T R I A L 4 0 W A T T F L U O R E S C E N T nR/74n L I G H T I N G FI T T I N G S

• Designed to take advantage of the High Luminous Efficiency of the 40 watt 4 ft. Tube. The most efficient lamp made.

• With the TW IN 40 watt the Stroboscopic

Effect is practically eliminated.

T H E E L E C T R IC IA N 1 y O C T O B E R 1947

17 O C T O B ER 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1118

J UU LriJ ^

Vis) <3 Kl G M y

Mfl/? //V CHINATOWN!

T his is n o t a report of further atrocities in the Far East or the account of a police raid on Limehouse, but relates to a production war in which the enemy is fuel shortage, labour shortage, and transport difficulties.

Electrical porcelain, or in abbreviated parlance “China,” is a key component in the manufacture of Sanders Switchgear and A ccessories. In spite of certain disadvantages, it possesses qualities not yet found in any product of modern scientific research, hence it is in great demand, and the supply is governed by a system of quotas.

The number of finished articles we can deliver is inextricably bound up with this problem, and until it is solved, we cannot substantiate in tull our time-honoured claim

You get Service with Sanders

SANDERS

WEDNESBURY

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 WM. S A N D E R S & CO. ( WEDNESBURY) LTD., WEDNESBURY, STAFFS.

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 17 O C T O B E R 1947

F L U O R E S C E N T L A M P S

" 'Jkz VaJidstick o j G ood JGqkUnq *

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

Inefficient, old-fashioned m ethods o f ligh tin g encourage ill-lit odd corners to becom e dum ping grounds for everyon e’s odds and ends. B u t ev ery inch o f valu ab le floor space can be used under th e brilliant, glare-free lig h t o f Sieray Flu orescent T ubular lam ps. T h ey save current to o . T he 5 ft. lam p uses on ly 80 watts, th e 4 ft. lam p o n ly 40 watts — y e t th e y g iv e F O U R and F IV E tim es m ore lig h t th a n ordinary filam ent lam ps o f com parable w atta g e.

Plan for better lighting now — Siemens lighting engineers are at your service — without obligation.

17 O C T O B ER 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1 1 2 0

O p e n m a r i n e - t y p e s w itc h b o a r d c o n tr o llin g th r e e 200 k W g e n e r a t o r s a n d c ir c u its a n d i n c o r p o r a tin g D o rm a n XL a ir - b r e a k c ir c u it b r e a k e r s a n d D o rm a n " F . " ty p e s w itc h e s a s in s t a l l e d o n t h e L .N .E. R a il w a y 's n e w c a r g o l i n e r S.S. A r n h e m

(Jo h n B ro w n & C o ., L td .)

DORMAN & SMITH LTD. • M A N CH E S T E R ■ L ON DON • G L A S G O W

T H E E L E C T R IC IA N

E2I47

17 O C T O B E R 1947

17

FRACTIONAL H.P.

M O T O R S A

The General Electric Co. Ltd., M agnet House, Klngsway, London, W .C.2.

O C T O B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1 1 2 2

A R O N M E T E R S

IN AS GREAT DEMAND AS EVER

SHEETS ^{a n d} STAMPINGS

for

THE

ELECTRICAL TRADE

JOSEPH SANKEY

& SONS, LTD.

BILSTON ' STAFFS L o n d o n O f f i c e :

168, R E G E N T S T R E E T , W . l

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 17 O C T O B E R 1947

■ H E R E ’S an A S H T O N cable o r flexible of a type and finish to meet every electrical need. N u m e ro u s d istrib u to rs have supplies available, but in case o f difficulty, w rite direct to the makers.

L TD. S T A L Y B R I D C E - C H E S H IR E • ENC.

A E R I A L I T E

17 O C T O B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1 1 2 4

Rap id A ction

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

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

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

9 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.

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

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

T Y P E M. S .

A C T O N , L O N D O N , W . 3

I S i NTH A l

V I C T O R I A R O A D , N O R T H

Telephone : Acorn 3904 Telegrams : Isenthal London

T A C H O M E T E R S T A C H O M E T E R S

O M E T E R S

T A C H O M E T E R T A C H O M E T E R S

T A C H O M E T E R S

I. G eneral Purpose G ene rator T ra n sm itte r 2. * C irscale Engine R oom Indicator 3. * C irsc a le Sw itchboard Type In d icator 4.^ A .C . A lte rn a to r T ra n sm itte r

Special Types a vailable fo r M o t o r Buses and T ro lle y Buses, Rail Cars, Locom otives, etc.

* Cirscale is the Registered Trade N am 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 CO., LTD., B R O A D H E A T H , A L T R IN C H A M , C H E S H IR E .

Tel : Altrincham 3221/2. ’Gram s : “ Infusion,” Altrincham. London : 28, Victoria Street, S .W .I. Tel : Abbey 5148.

T H E E L E C T R IC IA N 2 7 O C T O B E R 1947

Plain or Tinned in coils, on drums or in straight lengths and in hard, semi-hard or soft temper to meet your needs.

We welcome your enquiries.

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 W ir e C om p a ny a n d Sm iths, Lim ited)

A N A C O N D A W O R K S • S A L F O R D 3 a L A N C S

77 O C T O B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1 1 2 6

T h e u p - t o - d a t e .

C o m p it e t a n d F le x ib le s u p p l y Control . . e e e ⁹

T Y P E “ B ” T H R E E C O P O N E N T S 250 V .A .C . 60 A M P S .

E N C L O S E D V I E W T Y P E “ B ” Also Available :

T Y P E “ C ” T W O C O M - P O N E N T S S I N G L E T A R IF F

250 V .A .C . 60 A M P S . T Y P E " D ” T W O C O M . P O N E N T S D O U B L E T A R IF F

250 V .A .C . 60-30 A M P S .

os> cs

Already in use by many supply authorities C EM D U is the up-to-date, trouble-free and most flexible system for the intake and dis­

tribution o f electricity.

Comprising one unit housing all domestic supply control, CEM D U banishes the usual chaotic conditions at the incoming end. It can be placed in any position. Supplied 60 ampere or 60 and 30 ampere double pole Main Switch Control. Any meter can be fitted; consumers’

fuses are rewirable and extensions are a very simple matter. C EM D U is supplied in attrac­

tive black or cream stove enamelled finish.

W r ite fo r f u l l p a r tic u la rs to th e sole m a n u fa ctu re rs

D A R L'5 L E

1 ^ E L E C T R I C A L ^

M A N U F A C T U R IN G CO. LTD.

Bentdiffe Works, Ecdes, Lancs.

Phones: Eccles 1691-2-3-4. Telegrams Carlectric” Eccles.

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N i y O C T O B E R 1947

I N I N C R E A S I N G I N S T A N C E S . W H E N R E P L A N N I N G

t h e ILLUMINATION OF INDUSTRY is c a r r i e d u n i v e r s a l l y v i a

H E T A I / ^{1 C}

pioneers o f the

C O N D U I T TU

F o r r a p id ity a n d ease o f in s ta lla tio n , u n v a ry in g a c cu racy a n d c o n s ta n t h ig h q u a lity , M etallic C o n d u it T u b e is in v a ria b ly a c c e p te d as a s ta n d ­ a r d e lec trical sp ecificatio n .

T H E 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, Birm ingham . Phone: C E N . 7167. G ra m s : “ F la sk " , Birm ingham . Sales D e p ots: Lon d on : 88 G osw e ll Rd.. E.C.I.

N ew ca stle -on-T yne: St. John Street. Leeds:.5 Y o r k Place. Sw ansea: I G ro v e Place. G la sgo w : 137a St. V ince nt Street

i f O C T O B ER 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

A #

C O R E D S O L D E R

S o le M a n u f a c t u r e r s

Superspeed Special Cored Solder

is essential t o the R adio and Electrical trades because—

• (It can be used fo r ra p id w o rk a t m o d e r ­ a te b it te m p e ra tu re s th u s red ucing risk o f dam age t o delicate co m ponents.

• It sp e e d ily re m o v e so x id e film from c o p p e r c o n d u c to rs and so ld e rin g tags elim inating high resistance faults caused by d r y joints

• T h e flu x resid ue is hard, d ry, n on -con ­ d u c tin g and a b so lu te ly n o n -corrosive.

H. J. EN TH O V EN & SO N S LTD., 230 T H O R N T O N RD., W EST C R O Y D O N , SURREY

T E L E P H O N E : T H O R N T O N H E A T H 2462.

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 17 O C TO B ER 1947

^ v u U i t c i f e d

W I R E S

A N D C A B L E S

IN S T R U M E N T W IR E S : S T R A N D S & B R A ID S T E L E P H O N E & R A D IO C O R D S & C A B L E S

R E S IS T A N C E W IR E S : G L A S S C O V E R E D C O N D U C T O R S P.V.C. T U B IN G S

A L P E R T O N • W E M B L E Y - M I D D L E S E X

T E L E P H O N E ' ! P E R I V A L E 5 6 2 1 - 2

t e l e g r a m s: e n g i n e y o r, p h o n e, Lo n d o n L.

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

D

1 7 O C T O B E R 1947

1130

N O . 8 O F T H E

T Th is is the story, sad but true, Of what befell Professor Pew,

Sacked from his cosy Brains Trust chair, For advertising on the air.

The question-master asked “ Can you Say when mankind first used a screw ? ” And, while each expert scratched his head, Professor P. spoke up and said :

“ It all depends on what you mean — Screws were first used A.D. 16 — But nowadays mankind does owe Great Progress to the screw — and so When you need uniformity

In small screwed parts, try D & T ! ”

D I T T I E S

IVIS&

TIMMINS I?

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

Phone: Lark sw o o d 2313 (6 lines)

T E L : F A I L S W O R T H 1 5 2 0

O N A D M I R A L T Y L I S T S

W E M A N U F A C T U R E

G l BSON.TODD I ^{CO, LTD}

ALBERT MIILS HOUINWOOD LANCASHIRE

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 17 O C T O B E R 1947

COLLINS

ead Office 11 j Clerkenwell Road London E C i Central London Works

21 St. Albans Place Upper Street Islington N i

W est London W orks .

. 9 eir 11 Feather stone Road Southall Phone Holborn 0212-4 Canonbury 322-1-8

¡ 8 » ^ ^ or Southall o r68

77 O C TO B ER 19 4 J

E

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

A POWER BEHIND

1132

C O M P A N Y

Generating Plant for Steam, Water or Oil Power • Sub-Stations and Converting Plant • Transmission Systems, Switchgear and Control -ElectricTraction and Transport* Industrial Electrification Electrical Equipment for Marine Purposes * Domestic and Allied Appliances • Aircraft and Aircraft Electrical Equipment.

The E n glish E lectric C o m p a ny Ltd. W o r k s at : Stafford, Preston, Rugby, Bradford, Liverpool.

R egistered O ffic e :

Q ueens H o u se • K in g sw a y • London, W .C .2

BRITAIN’S DRIVE

THE

ENGLISH ELECTRIC

TH E EL E C TR IC I A N 17 O C T O B E R 1947

ELECTRIC

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

Bouverie House - 154 Fleet Street - London E G 4 Telegrams: " b e n b r o t r i c f l e e t L o n d o n ” Telephone: c e n t r a l 3212 (16 lines) Editor: S t a n l e y G. R a t t e e , A.M.I.E.E. Publisher and M anager: J o h n V e s t e y

N um ber 3618 17 OCTOBER 1947 Vol C X X X IX N o . 16

C O N TENTS

V iew s o n C urrent A ffairs ... 1133 P o rtra it—Mr. H . N im m o ... 1136 In d u stria l S ta n d a rd isa tio n ... 1137 N a tio n a lisa tio n an d E fficien cy 1139 A b o u t T ran sform ers ... 1140 E le c tro ly tic P ro d u c tio n of A lu m in iu m 1144 E lectric T ra ctio n E q u ip m e n t ... 1145 E lectric G lass-M elting F urnaces ... 1146 B oiler D ra u g h t C ontrol ... 1147 R ain fall a n d W a te rp o w e r ... 1148 C orrespondence ... 1149 B o o k R e v ie w s ... 1150 E q u ip m e n t a n d A p p lia n ces ... 1151 E lectrica l P erso n a lities ... 1152 The I . E .E... 1154 C o n tra cts O p e n : L o a d Spreading

a n d N a tio n a l D em a n d ... 1155 In d u s tr ia l In fo rm a tio n ... 1156 L o n d o n D is tr ic t H ea tin g S chem e ... 1158 E le c tr ic ity S u p p ly ... 1159 E lectric M obile Crane ... 1160 C o m p a n y N e w s : M etal P rices ... 1161 C om m ercial In fo rm a tio n ... 1162

M I D L A N D S O F F I C E :

D aim ler House, Paradise Street, Birm ingham T e le p h o n e : M id la n d s 0784— 5

S C O T T I S H O F F I C E : 116, H o p e Street, Glasgow, C.2 Telephcne: Central 3970

The offices o f T h e E l e c t r i c i a n are closed on S a tu rd a ys i n accordance toith the “ Five-day W eek ” pla n adopted by Benn Brothers, Ltd.

S I N G L E C O P Y (Fr i d a y) (BY POST) A N N U A L S U B S C R I P T I O N H O M E A N D O V E R S E A S

6d.

8d.

30s.

Presidential Address T

ta n t p a rt w hich the in stitu tio n has p layed in th e develop m en t of w h at is now generally know n a s industrial standardisation.

T he seed from w hich h as grown th e organisation w hich to-d ay is in ­ variab ly referred to w ith affection a s th e B.iS.I.— h u t w hich u n til som e years ago w as th e B .E .S.A .— w as p lanted iby th e I.E .E . in 1882 w h en th e in stitu ­ tion issued rules governing electrical in sta lla tio n s; from th a t sm all beginning has develop ed a b od y w h ich enables all section s o f in d u stry to co-operate in th e preparation of standards o f every kind.

T o w rite of w h a t h as -been done or o f how it h as fbeen (brought a b o u t w ould b e little m ore th an a history o f th e B ritish Standards In stitu tio n , b u t in our a b stract of Mr. Pe r c y Go o d’s rem arks w ill foe found details of th e ideals w hich he h a s so en th u siastically pursued since 19)13. T h at h e h as m e t w ith a large m easure of success a n d th a t th e B .S .I.

serves a purpose n o t catered for in an y other w ay, is evidenced b y th e num ber an d v a riety o f B ritish Standards accep ted , n o t o n ly b y electrical engineer­

ing b u t iby practically ev ery other form o f industry.

A special p o in t o f in terest raised in the address is in con n ection w ith th e powers v ested in th e B ritish E lectricity A u th ority to m anufacture th e m achinery or eq u ip m en t i t is lik ely to use, for w hile

1 1 3 4

Mr. Go o d ¡believes in som e form of public

control of th e gen eratin g a n d d istrib u ­ tio n sid e o f e lec tricity su p p ly, th e A u th o rity sh ou ld n o t, in his view , a tte m p t to m anufacture. T he reason w h y h e su p p orts th ose m a n y others h old in g th e sam e opinion, is th a t th e engineering m e n ta lity b e st su ited for the gen eratin g sid e is v e r y different from t h a t for th e m an u factu rin g interests of th e in d u stry, b y rea so n of th e fa c t th a t th o se responsible for ru n n in g m achinery h a v e to b e sa tisfied w ith th e p la n t for m a n y y ears, w h ereas th e m anufacturing engineer should b e tem peram entally desirou s of im p ro v in g h is p rod u ct and a lw a y s m a k in g progress.

Coal fo r W inter

A D D R E S S IN G h is first P r e ss conference a s M inister o f F u e l and P ow er, on T u es­

d a y afternoon, Mr. Hu g h Ga i t s k e l l

g a v e a n assu ran ce th a t pow er sta tio n s w ill th is w in ter receive sufficient coal to en ab le th em to m eet all dem ands. W e c a n n o t afford to h ave, he sta te d , a s h u t­

dow n su c h a s occurred la s t w inter. If elec tricity con su m p tion rises a b o v e th e le v e l program m ed it m a y b e necessary, therefore, to d iv ert coal from elsew here, and th a t m ean s from in d u stry. T ra n s­

la te d in to figures, th e p o sitio n is th a t for th e six w in ter m on th s, N ovem b er 1 to M ay 1, electricity un d ertak in gs are sch ed u led for a co n su m p tio n o f 16.45 m illion to n s (632 692 to n s per w eek), a g a in st a n a ctu a l consum ption over th e sam e period la s t y ear of 15.5 m illion to n s (596 154 to n s per w eek). This rep resents an increase in consum ption o f ju st o v er 6 per cent., a m argin a la rm ­ in gly slender w hen th e effect of load- spreading in prolonging periods o f p eak dem and and th e still-unknow n increase in d om estic lo a d sin ce la s t year are borne in m ind, a n d w h en i t is recalled th a t th e 15.5 m illion to n s u sed la s t w in ter reflect th e th ree w eek s’ sto p p a g e in w hich con­

su m p tio n b y pow er sta tio n s w a s w ell b elow average.

E lectricity and C om p u lsory Cuts I F th e supplies a llo ca ted to generation are exceed ed , in d u stry w ill n ot, accord­

in g to Mr. Ga i t s k e l l, b e a b le to get through, an d therefore, “ n on-essential ” consum ers m u st red u ce their consum p­

tio n b y a t le a s t 10 per cent, b elow th e lev el o f la s t year. W h eth er su ch a reduc­

tio n is, in fa ct, likely, appears to rest largely u p on th e clim ate— a n d th e degree o f success o f th e fu el econ om y cam paign.

P ressed to s a y w h ether, if i t becam e ev id en t th a t electricity con su m p tion w as running a b o v e th e program m ed figure, th e G overnm ent in ten d ed forcibly to reduce n on -in d u strial u se o f elec­

tricity, th e M inister w as unable to answ er, b u t h e a d m itted th a t th e p ossi­

b ility o f com pulsory cu ts could n o t be ruled out.

The In du strial Coal A llocation T H E a llocation of coal to in d u stry th is w inter w ill b e 23.51 m illion ton s, to w hich m u st b e added th e eq u iv a len t o f 900 000 to n s in oil fuel, m ak in g 24.4 m illion tons, or 23 per cen t, m ore th a n la s t w inter.

T his, it is an ticip ated , w ill, if m e t in full, enable th e m a jo rity o f firm s w ith a ssista n ce from th e sto ck s accu m u lated during th e sum m er to co n tin u e full pro­

duction. T his, how ever, is co n tin gen t u pon tw o fa cto rs on w h ich it is difficult to feel a ssu ran ce; first, th a t th e o u tp u t o f deep-m ined coal reach es th e estim a ted figure o f 97 m illion to n s and, second, th a t pow er sta tio n s, w ith th eir now officially- san ction ed first priority in supplies, are n o t forced to m ak e in road s in to the in d u strial ration . A further u n certa in ty is added b y th e d isq u ietin g sta te m e n t of th e M inister for E conom ic A ffairs o n th e railw ay w agon situ ation . The sh ortage of tru ck s is n ow so a cu te th a t prom pt restock in g w ill largely dep en d upon th e arrangem ents m ad e for quicker turn- round a n d tr a n sit tim e and, y e t again, upon fa v o u ra b le w eather.

New P lan fo r S teel

W IT H regard to steel supplies w hich w ill affect th e generating p la n t replace­

m en t program m e, th e prom ised in v e s ti­

gation in to th e w orkings of th e steel control are now beginning to bear fruit, after d iscu ssion s la stin g a fortn igh t b etw een a com m ittee o f th e G overn­

m en t, th e F .B .I., th e T.U.C., an d the Iron a n d S teel F ed eration. T he co m ­ m itte e h a s recom m ended a revision of th e m eth o d s of con trol b y w h ich it should b e p o ssib le to g et rid o f th e e x cessiv e volu m e of “ M ” form s (authorisations) in circulation. In recent m on th s, th e num ber o f au thorisations, it is now ad m itted , h a s so ex ceed ed allo­

ca tio n s th a t th e d istrib u tion sy stem is

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 17 O C T O B E R 1947

clogged w ith a b acklog o f unfulfilled orders am ou n tin g to tw o m illion tons of steel, or n early one quarter’s production.

I t is to b e h oped th a t now t h a t th is exam p le o f dep artm en tal m uddle w hich h as long been ev id en t to th e industrialist h a s been b rought to lig h t in W hitehall, th e com m ittee will, in th e w ords o f Sir St a f f o r d Cr i p p s, “ p rev en t su ch a sta te o f affairs a g a in d eveloping.” O ther im ­ p rovem en ts to th e control m echanism w h ich are to b e adopted, include the e x ten sio n o f th e period of a llocation from three m o n th s to six and a rearrangem ent o f departm ents, so th a t a n y given firm w ill in general h a v e to approach on ly one sponsoring M inistry for it s alloca­

tions. P la n n in g a t th e h ig h est level is a t la s t b egin n in g to sh ow signs o f c o ­ ordination, a n d th a t a t le a s t is w elcom e.

B u t ev ery p lan in th e la s t a n a ly sis rests upon a slender m argin o f coal produc­

tion. T he final resp on sib ility as before, is w ith th e m inew orkers an d the N a tio n a l Coal B oard.

The D o m estic Load

A N O T H E R w arning th a t expansion o f th e dom estic electricity dem and this w inter w ould c o n stitu te a grave threat to n ation al recovery w as g iv en b y Mr.

Hu g h Ga i t s k e l l a t th e M ansion H ouse

on M onday. T he occasion w as a fuel econom y conference, held under the auspices of th e M inistry and atten d ed b y represen tatives o f m ore th a n 90 local au th orities from th e L ondon region. The M inister w as follow ed b y Mr. W. C.

Pa r k e r, borough electrical engineer of

F ulham , w ho gave an accou n t of a suc­

cessful fuel econom y exh ib ition recently sponsored b y h is undertaking. The housew ife, h e stressed, w ould respond w hen sh e understood th e grim n ecessity of d om estic econom y. I t is o n this p o in t th a t th e success so far of th e new cam paign m u st be questioned. A repre­

se n ta tiv e of Th e El e c t r i c i a n w ho w as p resent a t th e conference form ed th e im pression th a t m an y of th e delegates w ho took part in th e discussion were far from aware o f th e real nature o f the problem an d appeared genuinely unable to distinguish betw een th e dual problem s of peak load and fuel econom y. I t seem s ev id en t th a t u n til th ose w ho h a v e th e task of prom oting cam paigns locally are th em selves clear a b ou t w h at is re­

quired, th e public response w ill a t b est b e p a tch y . T o im part to th e already overburdened B ritish housew ife th e e le ­ m en ts of electrical th eory is a task in w h ich n either ¡the M inistry nor th e various association s h a v e y e t in all cases succeeded.

S taggered Office H ours

A N U M B E R of com m ercial and sim ilar u n d ertak in gs h a v e recen tly decided to stagger th eir w orking hours, w ith th e resu lt th a t m an y offices now open their doors for b u sin ess a t tim es va ry in g b e ­ tw een 8.30 a.m . and 10 a.m . T he m ain purpose b ehind th e change is to facili­

ta te tra n sp o rt and to elim in ate or re­

d u ce th e tw ice-d aily rush upon trains an d ’¡buses w hich has b ecom e so prom i­

n en t a feature o f c ity life. Such sta g ­ gering is a d m itted ly a good th in g from a tra n sp o rt p oin t of view , b u t one w onders w h a t effect i t w ill h a v e up on th e n a tio n a l load curve on th ose m orn­

in g s w hen w eather con d ition s require office ligh tin g to be sw itch ed on ? Such ligh tin g w ill m ore o ften th a n n o t coin ­

cide w ith th e m orning in d u strial peak, and in th e case o f m an y buildings in th e L ondon area w ill represen t m an y ad d ition al kW for th e grid to su p p ly h alf-an-hour or so earlier th a n on th e w orking d ays of la s t w inter. In th e circum stances, therefore, w e su ggest th a t offices a d o p tin g staggered hours should h a v e ex p la in ed to th em th e effect w hich their earlier opening is likely to h a v e u pon th e in d u strial load curve, in th e h op e th a t office lighting will b e k ep t to a m inim um u n til the p eak is passed.

G en eration in S ep tem b er

A PR O P O S o f th e remarks in th e pre­

viou s n o tes it is in terestin g to Observe th a t electricity generated during S ep tem ­ ber b y authorised undertakers am ounted to 1.4 per cent, m ore th a n th e to ta l for th e sam e m on th la s t year, w hile for th e n ine m o n th s January-Septem ber th e in ­ crease w as 4.2 per cent, w hen com pared w ith th e corresponding period of 1946.

W h en considering th ese figures i t is as w ell to rem em ber th a t th e w eather con­

d ition s during Septem ber w ere favou r­

ab le ‘to low dom estic load and; th e restric­

tio n s w ith resp ect to space h eatin g were still in operation.

17 O C T O B E R 1 947 TH E E L F C T R IC JA N

1136

Portrait—Mr. Henry Nimmo

As President of the Association of Supervising Electrical Engineers, Mr. Nimmo has often made conversational reference to his experiences in Burm a, where some of the hydro-electric systems hear evidence of his ingenuity. He has been with the Electricity Commission since 1929, during which time he has held over 60 public inquiries and hearings concerning electricity supply, and was in 1945 himself appointed a Commissioner.

M

his general educa­

tion a t Airdrie Academy, served a mechanical engi­

neering (engine building) appTen- t i c e s h i p , and studied electrical engineering a t Coat­

bridge Technical School. H e spent a year as an electrical improver in the works, and on out­

side erection work in N orth Wales, w ith Bruce, Peebles a n d Co., Edin­

burgh.

In 1906 he joined the British West- inghouse Co. (now the Metropolitan- Vickers Electrical Co., Ltd.) as an erection engineer engaged m ainly on t h e erection o f generating plant, converting p l a n t and high voltage switchgear in Glas­

gow Corporation stations. In 1907 he became electrical engineer to the Oakbank Oil Company, in charge of tw o 25 cycle three-phase power system s and a 500 V d.c. electric railway, w ith generating stations containing Beiliss and Morcom- W estinghouse sets.

He went to Burma in 1909 as electrical engineer to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Co., primarily to build a generating station and carry out the Dallah Dockyard electrifica­

tion scheme.

In 1912 he joined the Rangoon Electric Tramway and Supply Co. as assistant engi­

neer, where he had charge successively of tram way rolling stock and car depot, the generating station, distribution, and extensions to the generating station.

In 1914 he w as appointed Officiating Electrical Inspector to the Government of Burma, administering the Indian Elec­

tricity A ct throughout Burma and in the

Shan States, and in charge of all Govern­

m ent electrical installations.

He returned to this country a t the end of 1915 to join the London Electrical Engineers, R . E . (T.) as a sapper, but was commis­

sioned soon after­

wards. H e served in Searchlight Com­

panies in London A .A. defences, and while on this duty in 1917 m et w ith a serious accid en t;

he remained in the Service while undergoing treat­

m ent until the end of 1919, when he returned to Burma to become perman­

ent electrical engin­

eer in the Public Works Department.

After about a year as officer-in- charge o f t h e Burma Hydro-Elec­

tric Survey, he was again, after a short period as electrical engineer, appointed electrical inspector to the Government, which position he held until th e end of 1929. As head of the department he was Electrical Adviser to the Government, Chief Electrical Engineer and Officer-in- Charge of the BurmaHydro-Electric Survey.

He was allowed b y the Burma Govern­

m ent to act as consulting electrical engi­

neer to Rangoon Municipality, Rangoon Port Commissioners and to the electric supply companies at Maulmein, Maymyo and Bassein, being responsible for the design and lay-out of the generating stations and distribution systems in those tow ns. From 1920 to the end of 1929 he was O.C. N o. 2 (Rangoon) Field Coy., R .E .

(A .F .I.), later Rangoon Electrical and Mechanical Coy., R .E . (A .F .I.), w ith the rank of Major, R .E . (A .F .I.).

W hilst home on leave in 1929 he was appointed chief engineering inspector to the Electricity Commissioners.

H e is on th e Council of the I.E .E .

T H E E L E C T R IC IA N i y O C T O B E R 1947

Industrial Standardisation

Presidential Address to the I.E.E.

T

tution of Electrical Engineers on Octo­

ber 9, dealt in the main with industrial standardisation, and . so far as space will allow his remarks are abstracted below.

Having watched the growth of th e elec­

trical industry first from inside and later from a position which had enabled him to compare its progress with th at of other industries, Mr. Good said he was convinced of the truth of S , Z. de Ferranti’s state­

ment of 1910 and referred to in last year’s Presidential Address, th a t wherever coal or gas was used for the production of heat or power, everything for which it was used would be better done were electricity the medium of application. H e believed the day was n ot far away when all energy for industrial and domestic consumption would be in th e form of electricity, and when electric-battery vehicles would have super­

seded fuel-burning vehicles in all built-up areas.

The electrical industry, though still young, had already placed its mark on the world. Living conditions had greatly improved as a result of the development of electrical science. That there would be an enormous increase in the use of elec­

tricity was certain, for electricity had no rival in sight and there was nothing to suggest, even dim ly, that the consumer of the future would be supplied with heat, light and power other than in the form of electricity, by whatever means produced.

The electrical industry, however, in com­

mon with others, was faced with the need for planning for its future development.

T H E 1 9 t 7 A C T

This year had seen an A ct of far-reaching importance come into being. In his opinion there was no substantial case against some form of public control of the generating and distribution side of the industry, nor indeed against national control of any public service where competition was un­

warrantable. T hat section of the industry should, however, be confined to genera­

tion and distribution, and should not be permitted to manufacture the machinery or equipment it used. A very different type of mind was required for the generat­

ing and distribution side than for the manufacturing side, for those responsible for running machinery and equipment had to be satisfied w ith it for m any years, whereas the maker should be tempera­

m entally desirous of improving his product.

Moreover, a great deal of technical progress was made as a result of what m ight be called the “ com p etition ” that w ent on in the designer’s mind in his desire to make progress.

The 1947 A ct gave power to the supply authority to manufacture th e goods it used, bu t it was hoped th a t the right would not be exercised if for no other reasons than those given above and the need for the country to offer for export the very latest designs in technical equipment.

The President then spoke on industrial standardisation and outlined the basic principles underlying standardisation as applied to all industries, and recorded some historical steps which had been taken by the institution to encourage its develop­

ment.

E A R L Y I N D U S T R I A L C O - O P E R A T I O N

During th e middle ages there was a measure of co-operation between those engaged in a similar trade, and rules relating to the quality of their product and to conditions of sale were in common use. B y the beginning of the 19th cen­

tury, however, trading conditions had developed into an inhuman scramble.

There was practically no co-operation within industry ; there was war between rival producers ; between workers for a job ; and there was war against technical progress. As the century entered its last quarter a change in outlook was becoming apparent, and as an illustration of it might be cited th e Cable Makers’ Association, which came into being in 1899 and had been a contributory factor to the progress of the electrical industry ever since. The British Electrical and Allied Manufac­

turers’ Association and the Electric Lamp Manufacturers’ Association were products of the same period and, with other trade associations, had been concerned w ith the establishm ent of rules for th e proper con­

duct of their industries.

Industrial standardisation was con­

cerned w ith such of those rules as related to the quality of the material and the conditions under which it was to be used.

These were sometimes required for the protection of the health or safety of the public, and were often called codes of practice. The institution was early in recognising the necessity for such stan­

dards, and in 1882 issued rules governing electrical installations, the 12th edition of which was in course of preparation. To­

day, all standards relating to the installa­

1 7 O C T O B E R 19,(7 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1138

tion and use o f materials and appliances were prepared b y th e professional institu­

tions and were issued as British Standard Codes of Practice after consultation with industry.

In 1885 the institution set up a com ­ m ittee to prepare standards for electrical m aterials and appliances. In 1889 it recom­

mended to th e Governm ent the establish­

m ent of a laboratory for standardising electrical apparatus, though b y this w as m eant th e calibration of electrical measur­

ing instrum ents. In 1898 the Council of th e institution w as urged to strengthen its standards com m ittee by adding to it

“ representatives of th e manufacturer, user, consulting engineer and th e user’s engineer.”

B I R T H O F T H E B . S . I .

In 1901 th e Institution of Civil Engin­

eers set up an engineering standards com­

m ittee to prepare standards for steel sec­

tions. This com m ittee became an auto­

nomous body on receiving the support of th e Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Iron and Steel Institute, and the Institution of N aval Architects, and when th e com m ittee enlarged its scope, the I.E .E . transferred its standardisation work to it and associated itself w ith th e other four bodies in founding the organisation known to-day as the British Standards Institution. To-day, tw enty-eight coun­

tries had set up national standards or­

ganisations on the lines laid down for the B .S .I., and industrial standardisation had become part of the econom ic structure of all industrial countries.

A n analysis of th e industrial standards in use to-day showed th a t th ey took one or more of the following forms :— Standards of quality, fitness for purpose or perform­

ance ; dimensional standards ; standard m ethods o f sampling, and certification marking; term s, definitions and symbols

( nomenclature).

To set up a standard of quality, fitness for purpose or performance it was necessary to start w ith th e answer to th e question, W hat is th e material or article required to do? (and, quite often, W hat m ust it not do?), and an ideal standard would include requirements in terms of those mechanical, physical and chemical properties which could be assessed objectively. In our present state of knowledge, however, stan­

dards often had to include requirements which could only be assessed subjectively, bu t research w as steadily providing the necessary data to enable requirements to be expressed w ith precision.

Dimensional standards were, in general, for th e purpose of securing interchange­

ability; to establish a range of typ es and sizes ; or to provide a m eans of defining function. Interchangeability played an im portant part in modern industry where

parts from m any sources had to come to ­ gether. It was equally im portant in domes­

tic life where it was necessary'to facilitate the replacement of parts which required periodic renewal or were liable to acci­

dental damage. A great deal of work had been done not only on th e standardisation of parts but also on the preparation of standard lim it system s for th e various types of fit. There was a great deal of standardisation for interchangeability yet to be done in m any industries, bu t it should be added, resistance to it was often due to a desire on th e part of the manu­

facturer to prevent unsuitable or inferior replacement parts from being sold to the user.

On the subject of sampling and certifi­

cation marking, th e President said th at an inspection of small samples in order to judge the value of th e bulk was an in­

heritance of early trading practice and, to a large extent, had necessarily the character of gambling. I t w as only in comparatively recent tim es th a t the sub­

ject of sampling had ‘ been dealt with mathematically w ith a view to laying down standard m ethods of sampling to secure th a t the samples fairly represented the bulk. The study of sampling had made practical th e use of certification marks on goods where testing had to be carried out on samples, either because of the high cost of the test or because the test was destructive of th e product. The use of certification marks was governed b y the Trade Marks Act, and w hilst certification marking was not an inherent part of in­

dustrial standardisation it was increasingly being associated w ith it as a result of a desire to distinguish standard from non­

standard goods.

N O M E N C L A T U R E

W ith regard to nomenclature, Mr. Good stated th at a definition of a trade term had som ething of the character of a spéci­

fication, and frequently limited the mean­

ing which previously had been loosely applied to th e term, thereby requiring discipline in its future use. As an example m ight be cited the term

“ switch ” which, b y glossary definition, should be used only to describe a non­

autom atic device for breaking a circuit carrying its normal current.

One of the greatest aids to business was a satisfied buyer, and b y its recognition that standardisation was indispensable, b y the development of its trade and re­

search organisations, b y its merchanting agreements, the electrical industry had been endeavouring to conduct its affairs along proper and sound lines. The per­

fect structure for the industry m ight not y et have been found, bu t as the end was desirable the search was sure.

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N iy O C T O B E R 1947