The Electrician : the oldest weekly illustrated journal of electrical engineering, industry, science and finance, Vol. 139, No. 23 (3625)

ELECTRICIAN

T H E T E C H N IC A L N E W S P A P E R O F T H E E L E C T R I C A L I N D U S T R Y

In t e n s i v e d e v e lo p m e n t o f s t a n d a r d is e d d e sig n s, la rg e scale p r o d u c t io n o r g a n is e d f r o m A to Z ; th is is h o w M E M h a v e a c h ie v e d m a ste r y o f the m a n u fa c t u re o f lo w t e n s io n sw itc h , fuse a n d m o t o r c o n t r o l gear. L o o k a t a n y piece o f M E M e q u ip m e n t a n d see fo r y o u rse lf.

New Switchgear and M o to r Control Gear catalogues came into operation on 1st October. I f you have not already applied for copies, please write now.

M I D L A N D E L E C T R I C M A N U F A C T U R I N G C O . L T D . , B I R M I N G H A M , I I Franches in London and Manchester

5 D E C E M B E R 1947 S I X P E N C E

M E T R O V I C K C O S M O ? L A M P S

M E T R O P O L IT A N -V IC K E R S E L E C T R IC A L C O .. L T D .. N U M B ER O N E . K IN G S W A Y . L O N D O N . W .C .2 S/A 709

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

⁵

D E C E M B E R 1947

1601

G r e a t C a m b r i d g e R o a d , E n f i e l d , M i d d l e s e x T e l e p h o n e : E n f i e l d

3434

^&

1242

In olden times, chivaliy was a feature o f the jousts. In modern business, the spirit o f chivahj will not overcome all our supplj problems, but courteous and prompt attention to individual requirements will often help to speed deliveries. It is in this spirit o f real helpfulness that we are making every effort to meet the present demand for

Sangamo Weston electricity meters and time switches. You can rest assured that we shall continue to accord yo u r needs every consider­

ation and that we will do our best to assist you in spite o f a difficult supply situation.

SANGAMO WESTON

M E T E R S & T I M E S W I T C H E S

5

D E C E M B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

A

T h e A

t l a s

Q U I C K S T A R T U n it is a sim ple device, w h ic h n o t o n ly ensures im m ediate ligh tin g re sp o n se w ith o u t the a n n o y in g delayed starts u su a lly experienced w ith fluorescent ligh tin g, b u t keeps the tubes a ligh t in spite o f voltage va riatio ns. T h is unit c a n be su p p lie d to in corp orate in e xistin g A

t l a s

fittings o r su p p lie d w ith new fittings.

A T L A S L A M P S

145

F U R T H E R D E T A IL S O N R E Q U E S T F R O M O U R IL L U M IN A T IN G E N G IN E E R IN G DEPT.

T H O R N E L E C T R IC A L IN D U S T R IE S L T D ., 105 -109, JUDD ST., LONDON,

w.c.

I. Tel. Euston I N O R T H E R N B R A N C H : S T E V E N S O N SQ U A R E, M A N C H E S T E R 1. TEL. C E N T R A L 3185

S T A Y I N G P O W E R

T H E E L E C T R IC IA N S D E C E M B E R 1947

1603

R X H ^r for service ABOVE or BELOW GROUND

»

1 n

ON.HOI IS'

R U G B Y

i cirte WINDING i EQUIPMENT

A .C . E Q U IP M E N T a t a S C O T T I S H C O L L I E R Y

Designed for winding 305 long tons per hour from a depth of 1,845 ft.

Motor : 1.950/3,900 H.P.

423 r.p.m. 6,600 volts.

Control :

Reversing Contactors Liquid Controller

W A R D -L E O N A R D E Q U IP M E N T

a t a S O U T H A F R IC A N

G O L D M IN E Designed for winding 225 short tons per hour from a depth of 6.000 ft.

Motor: 2,938/7,345 H.P.

200 r.p.m.

Flywheel Motor Generator Set with BTH commutator type

slip regulator

5

D E C E M B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1604

A L C H O - R E S O L D E R I N G FL U ID

A non-corrosive liquid flux for electrical and radio soldering. Supplied

■n J pint,

I

pint and I pint tins. For industrial use, supplied in I gal.

5 gal., and 40 gal. drum s.

A L C H O - R E PA ST E FL U X

A safe and efficient flux fo r electrical and radio soldering. Supplied in 2 ozv 8 oz. and I lb. tins.

♦

A L C H O - R E S O L D E R C R E A M

A solder (o r pure tin) combined with Alcho-re non-corrosive flux ; recom­

mended for tinning and sweat soldering. Supplied in I lb. tins.

S O L I D S O L D E R W I R E

Standard stock size 13, 16, I8 s .w .g .,a n d supplied on I lb. and 7 lb. reels^

O th e r gauges specially made.

C O R E D S O L D E R W I R E

Alcho-re cored s o ld e r ; the most rapid non-corrosive cored w ire available. Conform s to D .T .D .5 9 9 . Stock size 13 16 and 18 s.w .g.

Supplied on I lb. and 7 lb. reels.

B L O W P I P E S O L D E R

To all specifications. O f uniform composition and high purity. S u p . plied in thin I oz. strips.

F R Y ’S M E T A L FOUNDRIES, L IM IT E D

T A N D E M W O R K S - M E R T O N A B B E Y , S . W . I 9 an d a t M a n c h e s te r , G la s g o w , B r is t o l a n d D u b lin

F R Y ’ S

So ld ers a nd Fluxes

T H E E L E C T R IC IA N S D E C E M B E R 1947-

1605

5

D E C E M B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

W ire s, from thickest to medium gauge, are drawn in one operation on all- B ritish high speed ma­

chines using Tungsten C arbide and Diamond dies, giving perfect finish and gauge to meet the most exacting specifications re­

quired to-day.

4 7 , V i c t o r i a S t r e e t , W e s t m in s t e r , L o n d o n , S . W . I Telephone : Abbey 2771 (Pte. B r. Ex.)

W o rk s ; Enfield, Middlesex

O u r B o a t ¹¹

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 i n s ta lle d o n th e L .N .E. R a ilw a y 's n e w c a r g o l i n e r S.S. A rn h e m

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

D O R M A N & S M IT H LTD. • M A N C H E S T E R • L O N D O N ■ G L A S G O W

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

E 2 I 47

5

D E C E M B E R 1947

T h e G e n e ra l E l e c t r i c C o ., L t d ., M a g n e t H o u s e , K ln g s w a y , L o n d o n , W . C . 2 .

5

D E C E M B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1608

D e t a i l s t h a t

D i s t i n g u i s h

In the p ro d u c t of the Specialist there are d e ta ils of design th at distinguish itfrom its contemporaries.

C L A S S 9 6 5 2 2 / 1

D Y N A M I C R E L A Y

F O R . P L U G G I N G A N D U N D E R O R O V E R S P E E D C O N T R O L

W IT H R E M O V E D

O

S L O T F O R FLEXIBLE C O U P L I N G T O D R IV E A N D S P I G O T

M O U N T I N G F O R C O N C E N T R I C I T Y

©

R O B U S T SELF C L E A N I N G C O N T A C T S AESILY A C C E S S I B L E

F O R I N S P E C T I O N

©

SELF L O C K I N G A D J U S T I N G

N U T S

o

T A P P E D F O R S C R E W E D

C O N D U I T L O W IN E R T IA R O T O R

R U N N IN G O N B A LL B EA R IN G S

L O N G LIFE, O N E P IE C E M U LT IP O LE SP E C IA L

A L L O Y M A G N ET

P ED E ST A L M O U N T IN G A T T A C H M E N T W IT H E X T E N D E D S H A FT A V A ILA B LE

FO R IN D IR E C T D R IV E

L O N D O N • BIRM IN GH AM • B R IST O L • C A R D IF F ■ G L A S G O W • LE E D S • M A N C H E S T E R ■ N E W C A S T L E • S H EFFIELD G 34 R E L A Y

C O V E R

E X T E R N A L V I E W O V E R A L L S I Z E :

" d ia . X 5 i ' lo n g

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 5 D ECEM BER 1947

1609

A S R E L I A B L E A S B I G B E N

j D ECEM BER , , 4? THB

B

1610

B A L D W I N

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

‘ M U F E R *

C A P A C I T Y B R I D G E

T h i s i n s t r u m e n t , w h i c h h a d a r a n g e o f 0 . 0 0 0 0 5 M F t o 4 . 0 / T , e m b o d i e s a d v a n c e d f e a t u r e s o f d e s i g n w h i c h g i v e q u i c k a n d s i m p l i f i e d r e a d i n g .

F U L L Y D E S C R IP T IV E L E A F L E T S U P P L IE D O N R E Q U E S T

B A L D W I N I N S T R U M E N T C O M P A N Y LTD.

B R O O K L A N D S W O R K S , P R I N C E S R O A D , D A R T F O R D , K E N T . Telephone : Dartford 2989

I J r E N G I N E E R I N G C O . ,

r

( N O T T I N G H A M ) L T D .

H A S L A M S T . , C A S T L E B O U L E V A R D ,

( S ä t . N O T T I N G H A M j

• P H O N E : N O T T IN G H A M 46068 (3 L in e s) 'G R A M S : C A P S T A N . N O T T IN G H A M

ON AIR MINISTRY, ADMIRALTY AND W AR OFFICE LISTS

R E P E T I T I O N W O R K I N A L L M E T A L S

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

₅

D E C E M B E R 1947

1611

B R I T I S H

E L E C T R I C I T Y A U T H O R I T Y

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

1. T h e B ritish E le c tric ity A u th o r ity desire to b rin g certain con sid e ra tion s to general notice c o n ce rn in g the m a k in g o f the ap p o in tm e n ts for ge neration an d tra n sm issio n c o m in g directly u n der the A u th o rity . T he A r e a B o a r d s w ill be m a k in g their own ap p o in tm e n ts fo r d istrib u tio n in due course. T h e C e n t r a l A u t h o r ity w ill be in active c o -o p e ra tio n w ith them to ensure that the perso nn el o f the in d u stry are posted t o the best a d v a n ­ tage. T h e f o llo w in g deals o n ly w ith the m a k in g o f C e n tra l A u th o r ity appointm ents.

2. T h e o rg a n isa tio n fo r generation a n d tra n sm issio n u n der the C e n tra l A u t h o r ity w ill c o m p rise fourteen div isio n s, e ach h eaded b y a D iv is io n a l C o n tro lle r. T h ese d iv isio n s w ill corre­

sp o n d g e o g ra p h ic a lly to the fourteen d istrib u tio n areas u n d e r the A r e a Boards. T h e im m ediate n eed is to m a k e the h ig h e r ap p o in tm e n ts in those d iv isio n s after f u ll c o n sid e ra ­ tio n o f the c la im s o f a ll concerned.

3. T h e A u t h o r ity w ill sh o rtly write to a ll E le c tric ity U n d e rta k in g s, re­

qu estin g them to b rin g to the notice o f their staffs the p o sitio n a s herein outlin ed so th a t a ll w h o w ish to do so m a y m a k e a p p lic a tio n direct t o the A u th o r ity , su p po rte d b y details o f their experience a n d qualifications.

F o r m s g iv in g details o f the pro posed ap p oin tm e n ts w ill sh o rtly be a v a ila b le o n a p p lic a tio n to the U n d e rta k in g s, or c a n be obtained d irectly fr o m the

A u th o rity .

4. A l l su ch a p p lic a tio n s w ill be fu lly con side red in re latio n to the ap p oin tm e n ts w h ic h w ill h av e to be m ade in ad va n ce o f vestin g date.

T h ese ap p o in tm e n ts w ill be c o m p a r a ­ tiv e ly few in num ber. T h e great m a jo rity o f p erso nn el w ith in the in d u stry w ill con tin u e after vesting d a y in their present o cc u p atio n s under their e xistin g con tracts o f service a lth o u gh , o f course, they w ill a u to ­ m a tic a lly transfer to the e m p lo ym e n t

o f either the C e n tra l A u t h o r ity or the E le c tric ity B o a r d f o r the area in w h ich they are em ployed.

5. A l l ap p o in tm e n ts w ill be m ade o n ap p ro p riate scales o f salary, but re g ard w ill be given to the p o ssib ility o f c o n tin u in g e x isting salaries w here these m a y be in excess o f the a p p ro v e d scales. S u c h perso n a l e m o lu m e n ts w o u ld n ecessarily be lim ite d to the in d iv id u a ls concerned a n d w o u ld n o t extend to future ap p o in tm e n ts w h ich w ill be m ade w ith in the a p p ro v e d scales. B y w a y o f in d ica tio n , the A u t h o r it y c o n te m ­ plate salaries fo r the D iv is io n a l C o n ­ trollers (G e n e ra tio n an d T r a n s ­ m issio n ), r a n g in g fr o m £2,500 to

£3,500 per an n u m , a c c o rd in g to the r e sp o n sib ility o f each post. T h e ap p o in tm e n ts b elo w this level w ill be a p p ro p ria te ly grad ed an d fu lle r details w ill be giv e n in the do cum en ts to be circu lated a s e xplaine d above. W h e re duties a n d resp o nsib ilities are a n a lo g o u s w ith the e xistin g grad es and scales these w ill be -observed. I n -other cases the salaries w ill be regarded as p ro v isio n a l u n til fin a l scales have been negotiated with such o rga n isa tio n s as.

are appropriate.

6. A p p lic a tio n s sh o u ld be sent to the B ritish E le c tric ity A u th o rity , P o r t ­ la n d C o u rt, G r e a t P o rtla n d Street, L o n d o n , W . l. T h e y sh o u ld indicate, in order o f preference, the categories fo r w h ic h c o n sid e ra tio n is desired, viz., engine erin g co m m ercial, financial, acco unting, secretarial o r legal. O n ly a lim ite d n u m b e r o f ap p o in tm e n ts w ill be m ad e a n d the -present advertise­

m ent does n ot c o n ce rn an y posts c a rr y in g salaries b e lo w £800 per an n um .

7. T h e A r e a B o a r d s h av e not yet been fo rm ed, but it is p ro b a b le that - in due c ou rse they w ill issue notices

sim ila r to this. A p p lic a tio n s in rep ly to this present notice w ill n o t preju­

dice those w h ich m a y be m a d e to the' A r e a B o a r d s at a later date.

5

D E C E M B E R 1947 T H E E L E C T R IC IA N

E L E C T R I C A L A P P A R A T U S

a n d

A C C E S S O R I E S

W H O L E S A L E

a n d

E X P O R T O N L Y

A G R O E L E C T R I C A L CO

London O ffice.

7

MADDOX ST. REGENT ST. W. I • Tel. MAYfair

4068 9

•

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

5

D E C E M B E R 1947

S C O T L A N D Auchmut-y fi Rorhes Paper Mills

Markinch.Fifz

L O N D O N ITudorSt,E.C.4

MUSA TEXT1L1S - th e source o f Manila Hemp,

is a n a tiv e o f th e Philippine I s la n d s . The f ib r e s a r e o b ta in e d f r o m th e s ta lk s which are s tr ip p e d o f th e ir fle sh y m a tte r w hile s till fresh .D isca rd ed ropes, the paper-m akefs normal source o f m a n ila , because o f the g r e a t stren g th a n d f l e x i b i l i t y o f th e f ib r e , a r e u sed in m a k in g so m e o f th e s tr o n g e s t p a p e r s in-

the world, including ROTHMILL INSULATING PAVERS. TH E P IO N E E R S O F T W IN -W IR E P A P E R S F O R P R IN T E R S

1614

A U T O M A T I C * S W I T C H I N G *

* UP TO 6 0 TIMES PER MINUTE

The M KI I I/M Switch was found to be particularly suitable in operating the Bamford “ Flow A la rm " . Th is illustrates ju st one of the Micro Switches numerous applications w here accuracy of control is vital. Designers requiring a fine limit snap action sw itch, proof against oil, m oisture and vibration, will find the B U R G E S S organisation ready to meet th e ir most exacting demands.

W rite for Bulletin B.P.806.

B U R G E S S P R O D U C T S C O . , L T D ., ( M ic r o S w itc h D iv is io n ) S A P C O T E , L E I C S . London Office: 72, H O R S E F E R R Y R O A D , W EST M IN S T E R . S ,W .I.

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N ■5 D E C E M B E R 1947

T R A D E <( PE R S O N A L IT I E S I N T E R V I E W E D

No. 6

Y e s , t h e y m e a n m e !

W h e r e v e r t h e r e is a s u p p l ie r o f e le c ­ t r ic a l m a t e r ia l t h e r e y o u w ill fin d th e m a n w it h a p e r p e t u a l h e a d a c h e ! H e is t h e m a n w h o h a s t h e j o b o f a l l o ­ c a t in g an a l t o g e t h e r in s u ffic ie n t q u a n t it y o f a r t ic le s a m o n g a r ig h t f u lly c la m o r o u s n u m b e r o f c o n t r a c t o r s , r e t a ile r s , s u p p l y a u t h o r i t ie s a n d m a in ­ t e n a n c e e n g in e e r s .

H e can n e v e r w h o l l y be r ig h t an d o n l y a r e t u r n t o n o r m a l c o n d i t io n s can r e m o v e h is h e a d a c h e .

B u t m e a n w h ile . . .

Q - _ r|--- ■/ ~ ' ' I --- -- deal for all-— even though o ur sick headache is perhaps the w o rst in the trade.

t o h a v e a n a c c o u n t a t t h e S u n ”

“

i t ’s

s t i l l w o r t h w h i l e

T h e SU N ELECTRICAL CO. LTD.

118-124, C h a r in g C r o s s Road, Lo nd on, W .C .2.

Telephone : TEMple Bar 3500 (18 lines) Grams : SUNELEC, WESTCENT, London.

Also at LEEDS, SLOUGH, and NEWC.ASTLE-ON.TYNE

5

D E C E M B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

ELECTRIC W IRING SYSTEM FOR FACTORIES, OFFICES,

A N D HOUSES

A P P L IC A B L E T O A N Y S Y S T E M O F B U I L D IN G

Octopus ensures

1. Speedier and more efficient installation.

2 . Considerable economy in labour and installation costs.

Octopus has been officially approved by governing authorities.

W r ite fo r illu stra ted b ro ch u re to

P R O V E D A N D P R O D U C IN G PR O PER TIES LIM ITED, 5 , Cheapside, London, E.C. 2 , or

H A R T L E Y E L E C T R O M O T IV E S, LTD., 5 7 , Victoria St., London,

S.W.I Sole A gents fo r N o rth e rn I r e la n d :

J A M E S M c C R E E D Y , L T D . , P r iv a t e R o a d .

C r e g a g h , B e lfa st.

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N 5 D E C E M B E R 1947

1617

H o w “ T R A P I N E X ” h e l p s B i g B r i t i s h E x p o r t e r s

T h e m anufacturer tu r n in g to the export m arkets o f the w o rld fo r the first tim e m eets m a n y new problem s. V e r y o fte n h e can take ad vantage o f the experience o f suppliers an d b e g in w here others left off.

“

T r a p in e x ” offers the experience ga in e d over m a n y years in the m a r k in g a n d a d v e rtisin g o f go o d s fo r w o rld

m arkets, b y a process that adds prestige to your salesm an sh ip a n d to y o u r product.

I t allo w s fo r a different la n gua ge in each country.

I t presents y o u r d e sign in a w ay that enhances the go o d s it identifies. I t w ith sta n d s extrem es o f h u m id ity , tem perature a n d su n ligh t, a n d is o f la stin g durability.

T h e N U - S W I F T C O M P A N Y to quote one o f m a n y exam ples, use

“

T r a p in e x P a in t ” T ran sfe rs to m a r k their fire e x tin gu ish e rs a n d overcom e la n gua ge difficulties in n o less than 32 countries.

“ T r a p in e x

”

P a in t T ra n sfe rs (P atd.) are printed in colo urs m ore b rillia n t than printers’ in k , are durable, w ashable a n d weather resisting.

INDUSTRIAL USES OF TRANSFERS

A t hom e, in d u stry has m u ltip le uses fo r

“

T r a ­ p in e x ” T ra n sfe rs in factory, w o rk sh o p o r office, fo r nam eplates, m o n o gra m s, b ra n d m ark s, in ­ struction s, w a rn in gs, d ia gra m s, patent num bers, w ir in g layouts, decorations etc.

A D V IC E freely given, but when you write for prices please state : (1) Size, (2) Quantity, (3) Number of colours, (4) Purpose, (5) Wording required, (6) A rough sketch would help. We have no stock lines or price lists.

TRAPINEX

j M B f l

T R A P IN E X

(

Regd

.)

P aint Transfers are fu lly patented and m anufactured only by:

T R A P I N E X L T D . , 19, C o m m e r c e H o u s e , H i g h R o a d , W o o d G r e e n , L o n d o n N.22.

P hone: Bowes P ark 6811I3 . Grams : Trapinex, Wood London. Cables: Trapinex, London

5 D E C E M B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

N o w i n S t o c k . . .

F o r I m m e d i a t e D e l i v e r y !

1 0 P o P p n e u m a t i c d r i l l s

R I V E T I N G H A M M E R S - a * . w .

r , v e t s q u e e z e r s - * * - * " » *

E Z T K S s a B l

I n s t o c k n o w — a v a ila b le fo r im m e ­ d ia te d e m o n s t r a t io n o r d e liv e ry — here are 10 sizes o f T h o r a s s e m b ly a n d p r o d u c tio n a ir to o ls, a ll in p o p u ­ la r lig h t a n d h e a v y d u t y sizes a n d w e ig h t s in v it a l d e m a n d fo r t o d a y ’s fa st, c o n t in u o u s in d u s t r ia l o u tp u t.

T h i s sp e c ia l lo t in c lu d e s lig h t a ir ­ c ra ft r iv e t in g h a m m e r s a n d sq u ee z ­

ers, three sizes o f re v e rsib le a ir d r ills fo r p la n t, s h ip y a r d or r a ilro a d w ork, a n d h e a v y d u t y fo u n d r y flo o r r a m ­ m e rs t h a t c a n a lso be fitted for b a c k ­ fill t a m p in g .

W e s u g g e s t y o u c a ll us to d a y for c o m p le te in fo r m a tio n .

I N D E P E N D E N T P N E U M A T I C T O O L C O . , LTD.

4 0 B r o a d w a y L o n d o n S. W . 1 , E n g l a n d

P O W E R

P N EU M ATIC TOOLS • U N IVE RSA L AND HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRIC TOOLS • M IN IN G AND CONTRACTORS TOOLS

T H E E L E C T R IC IA N S D E C E M B E R 1947

1619

The LINDLEY THOMPSON TRANSFORMER & SERVICE

600 K V A 3ÿ SO ~ 11000/400 Volts.

PA R T O F A G O V E R N M E N T C O N T R A C T FOR IN D IA

D e s i g n e d t o g i v e

T R O U B L E - F R E E S E R V I C E u n d e r

DAMP and HUMID CONDITIONS.

T h is typ e o f u n it is o p e ra tin g p e rfe c tly in

IN D IA , E A S T & W E S T A F R IC A , M A L A Y A , E A S T IN D IA , E T C .

A P P L Y F O R B R O C H U R E T O

ST. MARY'S ROAD, MIDDLE GREEN , S LO UG H , B U C K S .

T e le p h o n e . L A N G L E Y f

b u c k s

) 2 0 0 / 2 0 /

s D E C E M B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

1620

OBLITE

I n t r o d u c i n g

T H E W E A T H E R P R O O F A N D W A T E R T IG H T

LIGHTING FITTING

WRITE FOR LEAFLET NO. 104 GIVING FULL

PARTICULARS

M A D E F R O M P L A S T I C M A T E R I A L W IT H S K IR T E D B.C. P O R C E L A IN L A M P H O L D E R 6 0 - W A T T

For use w ith all T R S o r P V C R O U N D o r O V A L C A B L E S S E A LE D BY S P E C IA L C A B L E G L A N D S FOR GREATEST SAFETY IN PLACES EXPOSED TO MOISTURE AND FUMES SUCH AS FACTORIES, FARM BUILD­

INGS, CHEMICAL WORKS, ETC., AND FOR ALL OUTDOOR INSTALLATIONS

BRIT. PAT. A P P L IED FO R

L O B L I T E L T D .,

m an u factu rers o f e le c t r ic a l accessories TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE

GATESHEAD - ON - TYNE II

Kcgisterea Iraae Mark

O U R N E W L I S T M Y F I / “ E ” contains 36 pages in w hich are given details and illustrations of the com plete M etw ay range o f Elements, Spirals, Fire Bars and Tubulars.

A C O P Y S E N T O N R E Q U E S T

METWAY I r S LTD.

K I N G S T R E E T , B R I G H T O N , I.

Phene : Brighton 8366.[Grams : ‘Metway,'Phone, Brighton

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

Ml

5

D E C E M B E R 1947

O u r accumulated experience of nearly 50 years’ successful Switchgear manufacture is behind the design of every Statter A ir Break C ircu it Breaker. Many thousands of Statter C ircu it Breakers installed on land and sea in all parts of the W orld are giving exemplary service.

J. G. S T A T T E R & Co., Ltd., 82, V ic t o r ia S tre e t, Lo n d o n , S.W.1

sawell advertising

5

D E C E M B E R 1947 T H E E L E C T R IC IA N

D

1522

Announcement

of

D S Plugs Ltd.. Manchester . London . Glasgow. B1M47

T h e r a t h e r ru m m y lo o k in g o b je c t a b o v e is o n e s e c tio n of th e n e w DS s k ir t lo r s u r f a c e m o u n tin g th e DS c o n d u i t b o x ty p e s o c k e t . T h e o t h e r s e c tio n is a n a b s o lu te tw in , a n d t h e y g e t to . g e t h e r a s s h o w n b e lo w .

T h is e n a b l e s th e s k ir t to b e fix e d a f te r th e w ir in g h a s b e e n c o m p l e t e d a n d m e a n s g r e a t e r e a s e fo r th e w ir e m a n ,

lu s t a n o th e r i n g e n io u s a d d itio n to t h e DS F u s e d

P lu g a n d S o c k e t r a n g e .

A D epe nd ab le C o n tr o l Sw itch A .C . Slo w M ake and Break Type. Suitable fo r Panel M ou n tin g. Rated at 10 Am ps.

250 Volts. Range o f C irc u it com bina­

tio ns available. Im m ediate deliveries on m ost circuits 15/20 amp. A .C . and Universal available shortly.

A ll enquiries t o : -

73 HAN WORTH ROAD

H O U N S L O W • M I D D X

Telephone: HOUNSLOW 7 H O

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

5

D E C E M B E R 1947

1623

T H E R E H E S T A N D S — ■ s y m b o l o f authority in an o rd erly W o r ld — c o n tro llin g — d ire ctin g — obeyed because ab solu tely tru stw o rth y an d reliable.

W h a t a fittin g c o m p a riso n w ith B I R C H R E S I S T A N C E S ,

A rm s o f the O hm ’s Law.

B a c k e d b y m a n y years o f practical experience in w h ich their re lia b ility has been tested u n d e r all con ditio n s, B I R C H R E S I S T A N C E S , in their v ario u s applicatio ns, stan d u p to their job an d can alw ays be depended upon to p ro vid e specified service because o f their first-class w orkm an sh ip.

P l e a s e c a l l upon us to help you solve any R e s i s t a n c e problem.

iKtgisiertd Trade Mark

R esistances , ^

M a y we quote y o u fo r

~ to ftS

a n y o f the fo llo w in g f J * ’ *

D IM M E R S — R E G U L A T O R S ( F ie ld , S h u n t, V o lta g e )— R E S I S T A N C E S ( A r c L a m p , C h a rg in g , R eg u latin g S lid in g )— R H E O S T A T S — E L E M E N T S and S P I R A L S — A s b e s to s W o v e n R e s ista n c e N e t s and G r id s .

H . A . B I R C H & C O . L T D . , W ilo h m W o r k s , W o o d Street, W 1 L L E N H A L L , ST A F F S

Telegrams: “ W I L O H M , ” W ille n h all. T elep h o n e : W ille n h a ll 494-495

G97.

5

D E C E M B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

A NEW and

com prehensive List of

SLIDING RESISTANCES

and DIMMERS is now available on application

1624

m

VAHIAC

. . . . the infinitely variable AUTO TR A N SFO R M ER

T h e se e n t ir e ly B r it is h - m a d e T r a n s f o r m e r s are a v a ila b le in r a t in g s f r o m 50 W a t t s t o 7 K i l o ­ w a tts. M o s t ty p e s c a n b e f u r ­ n is h e d in p a r a lle l a s s e m b lie s or in 3 -ga n gs f o r 3 -p h ase o p e r a tio n . U s u a l w i n d i n g is 230 V. in p u t ( t a p at 115 V . ), 50 c y c le s p er sec., 1 -p h a se : O u t p u t is u s u a ll y f r o m 0-230Y. a n d / o r 0-270V.

W e ll- illu s t r a t e d B r o c h u r e 424 -E a n d L i s t V A R 747 g iv e s u se s, c ir c u it a p p lic a t io n s a n d o th e r u s e f u l d a ta . P r ic e s a re r e a s o n ­ able.

• ---

D eliveries'on our “ V A R I A C ” Voltage-Regulating Transformers are, at present, being given in strict rotation, and average 10-12 weeks.

I t is no longer possible fo r u s to ship any type “ off the sh e lf”.

Customers who can establish any fo rm o f “ Priority ” should state such particulars on their orders, and such facts will receive fu ll consideration.

[I HM]

ELECTRICAL AND RADIO LABOBATORr APPARATUS ETC.

B R E N R A Y ”

ELECTRO MASSEUR

It is supplied in an attractive cardboard container and is complete with four applicators ; for A .C .

Mains only, 200-250v.

EXPORT

^&

HOME ENQUIRIES INVITED FROM THE MANUFACTURERS,

BRENTFORD RADIO

50, H I G H S T ., B R E N T F O R D , M I D D X .

Telephone : EALing 1398, 2750.

' P H O N E : W A T F O R D 4494 1 8 0 , T o t t e n h a m C o u r t R d . , L o n d o n , W . l .

a n d

7 6 , O l d h a l l S t r e e t , L i v e r p o o l 3, L a n c s .

U T H O U T E I N S U L A T O R S &

ST. ALBANS M O ULDIN GS LTD.

W A T F O R D

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

5

D E C E M B E R 1947

T h e O ,

o c o p n o n y

DYNAMIC BALANCING MACHINE

It is essential th a t high speed rotating m echanism s are DYNAM ICALLY BA LA N C ED to en su re:

★ H IG H E R SPEEDS W IT H SA FETY

★ LESS W E A R ON B EARING S

★ LESS V IB R A T IO N

★ Q U IE T E R R U N N IN G

★ LONGER L IF E

The Scophony Strobodynam ic Table M achine is suitable for dynam ically balancing weights equivalent to the rotors of fractional horse-power motors

S E N D U S Y O U R E N Q U I R I E S

S C O P H O N Y L I M I T E D

3 6 , V I C T O R I A S T R E E T , L O N D O N , S . W . l

T e le p h o n e A B B e y 4852 d/

48

^/e

1625

G R E A T A C H I E V E M E N T S

8 0 , 0 0 0 sp ecta to rs 612 ft. long SIS ft. broad 160 ft. high . . . . C O L O S S E U M ,R O M E

The scene of much that is better forgotten! Tut the relics remain a tribute to the achievements of Manage­

ment and Labour.

W Y L E X A c h ie v e m e n t in E le c t r i c a l A c c e s s o r ie s

G E O R G E H. S C H O L E S & C O . LT D . W Y L E X W O R K S . W Y T H E N S H A W E , M A N C H ESTER

5

D E C E M B E R 1947 T H E E L E C T R IC IA N

1626

C . M . A . c a b le h a s b e e n o n e o f t h e m o s t v a lu a b le B r i t i s h e x p o r t s s in c e t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e e le c t r ic a l i n d u s t r y . In n o o t h e r m a n u f a c t u r e d p r o d u c t is s u p r e m e B r i t i s h q u a lit y m o r e c a r e f u ll y a n d t h o r o u g h l y a s s u r e d b y c o n t i n u o u s r e s e a r c h i n t o m a t e r ia ls a n d p r o c e s s e s .

M e m be rs

of the

C A B L E M A K E R S A S S O C I A T I O N T h e A n c h o r C a b le C o . L td . B ritis h Insulated

C a lle n d e r ’s C a b le s L td . C o n n o lly s (B la ck le y ) Ltd . T h e C ra ig p a r k E le c tric

C a b le C o . Ltd.

C ro m p to n P a rk in so n Ltd.

(D e rb y C a b le s Ltd.) Enfield C a b le s L td . E d iso n S w a n C a b le s Ltd.

(T h e Ed iso n Sw an E le c tric C o . Ltd .) W . T . G lo v e r & C o . L td . G re e n g a te & Irw e ll

R u b b er C o . Ltd . W . T H e n le y ’s T e le g rap h

W o r k s C o . Ltd.

T h e In d ia -R u b b e r, G u tta- P e rch a & T e le g rap h W o r k s C o . Ltd .

(T h e S ilv e rto w n C o .) John so n & P h illip s Ltd . L iv e rp o o l E le c tric

C a b le C o . Ltd.

T h e Lo n d o n E le c t r ic W ir e C o . and S m ith s Ltd.

T h e M acintosh

C a b le C o . Ltd . T h e M e tro p o lita n E le c tric

C a b le & C o n s tru c tio n C o . Ltd.

P ire lli-G e n e ra l C a b le W o r k s L td . (G e n e ra l

E le c t r ic C o . Ltd .) S t. H e le n s C a b le

& R ub b er C o . Ltd.

S ie m e n s B ro th e rs & C o . L td . (S ie m e n s E le c tric La m p s and Sup p lie s Ltd .) S ta n d a rd T e le p h o n es

& C a b le s L td . U n io n C a b le C o . L td .

C A B L E M A K E R S A S S O C I A T I O N

H IG H H O L B O R N H O U S E • 52-54 H IG H H O L B O R N • L O N D O N • W .C . I

T H E E L E C T R IC IA N 5 D EC EM BER 1947

Bouverie House - 154 Fleet Street - London E C 4 Telegrams:

“b e n b r o t r ic 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 a n a g er:

J o h n V e s te y

Number 3625 5 DECEM BER 1947 Vol. C X X X 1 X No. 23

CO NTENTS

Views on Current A ffairs

— ... 1627

P ortrait

—

Mr. J . J . Gracie

... 1630

824 M W D eficit in 1951-52

... 1631

Short-circuit T esting

... 1632

In stru m e n ta tio n D evelopm ents

... 1635

O u tp u t o f S y d n e y U ndertaking

1636

R esu lts o f L oad Spreading

... 1637

E lectricity S ta tistics

... 1638

E lectrical Personalities

... 1639

E q u ip m e n t a nd A ppliances

... 1641

Correspondence

... 1642

A nsw ers to Technical Q uestions

... 1643

The B a tti-W a lla h s’ Society

... 1644

E lectricity S u p p ly

... 1645

I n P arliam ent

... 1646

Contracts O pen

... 1647

In d u stria l In fo rm a tio n

... 1648

C om pany N ew s

... 1651

Commercial In fo rm a tio n

... 1652

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

Daimler House, Paradise Street, Birmingham Telephone : Midlands

0784-5

S C O T T IS H O F F IC E : 116, Hope Street, Glasgow, C.

2

^.

Telephone • Central

3970

The offices of

The Electrician

are closed on Saturdays in accordance unth the

“

Five-day Week" plan adopted by Benn Brothers

,

Ltd.

S I N G L E C O P Y ( F r i d a y ) - - 6 d .

(BY POST) - - - 8 d .

A N N U A L S U B S C R IP T IO N

H O M E A N D O V E R S E A S - -

30

^s.

Exports and Materials

T

H E r e l a t io n s h ip b e tw e e n t h e a l lo c a ­ t io n o f m a t e r i a l s a n d d ir e c t e x p o r t s h a s b e c o m e so close , t h a t t h e r e h a s fo r s o m e t im e b e e n a d a n g e r o f i n t r o d u c in g u n n e c e s s a r y d e l a y i n th e e x e c u t io n o f o r d e r s . T h e d a n g e r lie s i n th e p o s it io n o f c o m p o n e n t m a n u f a c t u r e r s a n d s u b ­ c o n t r a c t o r s w h o m a k e n o p e r s o n a l e x p o r t c o n t r ib u t io n , b u t , a s s u p p l ie r s t o f i r m s g i v i n g a h i g h e x p o r t p e r fo r m a n c e , d o s o in d ir e c t ly .

F r o m t h e p o i n t o f v ie w o f t h e e le c t r ic a l in d u s t r y , t h e c o m p o n e n t m a n u f a c t u r e r s a n d s u b - c o n t r a c t o r s m o s t c o n c e r n e d in c lu d e t h e m a k e r s o f e le c tric m o t o r s fo r t e x t ile m a c h in e r y , a n d m a c h in e to o ls, b a l l b e a r i n g s a n d so o n, w h ic h m a y b e in c o r p o r a t e d b y m a i n c o n t r a c t o r s in p l a n t d e s t in e d fo r e x p o r t in la r g e v o lu m e . T h e m a k e r s o f s u c h c o m p o ­ n e n t s , t h o u g h n o t in a l l c a s e s m a k i n g a d ir e c t c o n t r ib u t io n t o t h e e x p o r t d r iv e , a r e o b v i o u s ly p a r t a n d p a r c e l o f t h e e ffo r t b e in g m a d e b y t h o s e m a n u f a c t u r ­ i n g o r g a n is a t io n s w h ic h a r e — a n d r e s t r ic t ­ in g t h e ir a l lo c a t io n o f m a t e r i a l s c a n th e re fo re , d e t e r m in e t o a c o n s id e r a b le d e g r e e th e e x t e n t o f t h e e x p o r t d r iv e a s a w h o le .

I n a n a t t e m p t t o c la r if y t h e p o s it io n , t h e C h a n c e llo r o f th e E x c h e q u e r l a s t w e e k is s u e d a s t a t e m e n t o n t h e s u b je c t, f r o m w h i c h w e u n d e r s t a n d t h a t fo r c o m p o ­ n e n t s a n d c o m m o n s e r v ic e i t e m s s u c h a3 b a l l b e a r in g s , e le c t ric m o t o r s , etc., w h ic h a r e s u b - c o n t r a c t e d fo r s u b s e q u e n t in c o r p o r a t io n in e q u ip m e n t fo r e x p o r t a n d e s s e n t ia l h o m e c o n s u m p t io n , m a t e r i a l a l lo c a t i o n s w ill i n f u t u r e b e d e t e r m in e d b y th e G o v e r n m e n t ’s a s s e s s ­ m e n t , n o t o f t h e d ir e c t o r in d ir e c t

1628

e x p o r t a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e s u b - c o n t r a c t o r , b u t o f t h e le v e l o f s u p p l ie s n e c e s s a r y t o m e e t t h e p r o d u c t i o n p r o g r a m m e s fo r b o t h h o m e a n d e x p o r t n e e d s. T h e a l lo c a t i o n o f m a t e r i a l s s o f a r a s a s u b - c o n t r a c t o r i s c o n c e r n e d w i l l t h u s b e d e t e r m in e d b y th e p r o d u c t i o n o u t p u t o f t h e m a i n c o n ­ t r a c t o r , w i t h a r is e o r f a l l i n t h e a l lo c a ­ t io n — a c c o r d i n g t o w h e t h e r t h e m a i n m a n u f a c t u r e r e x c e e d s o r f a i l s t o a c h ie v e h i s e x p o r t t a r g e t .

C o al Stocks

T H E c o n s u m p t i o n o f c o a l b y e le c t r ic it y u n d e r t a k i n g s i n t h e w e e k e n d e d N o v e m ­ b e r 22 w a s 625 8 0 0 t o n s , c o m p a r e d w i t h 561 0 0 0 t o n s t h e w e e k b e fo re . S t o c k s a t 4 142 600 t o n s r e p r e s e n t e d r o u g h l y s i x w e e k s ’ w in t e r s u p p l y , c o m p a r e d w i t h 3.4 w e e k s ’ a t t h e s a m e t im e l a s t y e a r . T h e la t t e r fig u r e — a s e v e r y o n e i n t h e i n ­ d u s t r y w a s i n N o v e m b e r , 1946, t e l lin g th e t h e n M i n i s t e r o f F u e l i t w o u l d — s u b ­ s e q u e n t ly le d t o t h e c r is is l a s t F e b r u a r y a n d i s t h e r e fo r e , o f l it t l e v a l u e a s a n i n ­ d ic a t io n o f t h e s a f e t y m a r g in , i f a n y , i n th e s i x w in t e r w e e k s ’ s t o c k n o w h e ld . I n p r e - w a r d a y s c o a l s t o c k s a t t h is t im e o f t h e y e a r w e r e n e a r e r t w e lv e t h a n s i x w i n t e r w e e k s ’ s u p p l y , a n d c o u p li n g th e p r e s e n t r a t e o f c o n s u m p t io n w i t h th e d a n g e r s voice d ! t h e r a i l w a y s w i t h r e ­ s p e c t t o w a g o n a v a i l a b i l i t y — t h e s u p p l y i n d u s t r y m a y y e t h a v e t o fa c e a b o u t J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y a p r o b l e m a s e m b a r ­ r a s s i n g a s w a s t h a t p r e s e n t e d l a s t w in t e r.

T h e M i n i s t e r o f F u e l h a s o f la t e e x ­ p r e s s e d a c e r t a in a m o u n t o f o p t i m is m w i t h r e g a r d t o c o a l o u t p u t , a n d t h o u g h t h i s m a y o r m a y n o t b e ju s t ifie d , i t w ill d e p e n d u p o n t h e d e l iv e r y o f t h a t o u t p u t t o t h e p o w e r s t a t i o n s a n d else w h ere , w h e t h e r t h e n e x t f e w m o n t h s w i l l b e le s s o f a w o r r y t o h i m t h a n w e r e t o h i s p r e ­

d e c e s s o r t h o s e s a m e m o n t h s o f l a s t w in te r.

T h e W h ite P a p e r

T H E fe a r s e x p r e s s e d i n Th e El e c t r i c i a n o f O c t o b e r 31 a n d N o v e m b e r 7, w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e c u t s i n p o w e r s t a t i o n e x ­ t e n s io n p r o g r a m m e s , w e re c o n f ir m e d o n M o n d a y w i t h t h e p u b l i c a t io n o f t h e W h i t e P a p e r . A c t u a l d e t a ils o f t h e r e ­ d u c t i o n i n e x t e n s io n s w ill b e f o u n d o n p. 1631, a n d b e a r in g i n m i n d t h e f a c t t h a t t h e o r ig in a l a n d c o n s e r v a t iv e e s t i­

m a t e s o f g e n e r a t i n g p l a n t r e q u ir e m e n t s i n 1 9 5 1 /5 2 w e re s c h e d u le d a t 2 306 a n d

1 617 M W r e s p e c t iv e ly , c u t t i n g t h e m t o 1 500 M W f o r e a c h o f t h o s e y e a r s m e a n s a lo s s o f 923 M W o v e r t h e t w o y e a r s.

I n p o i n t o f f a c t t h e W h i t e P a p e r p u t s t h e lo s s e v e n h ig h e r a n d o n present, e s t im a t e s o f d e m a n d a n d i g n o r i n g a n y c o n t r i b u ­

t io n s f r o m o v e r - a g e p la n t , c a lc u la t e s t h a t t h e d e fic it d u r i n g t h e w i n t e r o f 1 9 5 1 /5 2 w i l l b e n o t m o r e t h a n 824 M W ; s u r e ly a fig u r e w i t h w h i c h f e w i n t h e i n d u s t r y w i l l agre e. T h e f a c t t h a t t h e g e n e r a t in g c a p a c i t y i s a l r e a d y d e fic ie n t b y 2 500 M W a n d t h a t i n d u s t r y i n g e n e r a l i s e x ­ p e c t e d t o in c r e a s e i t s o u t p u t i n o r d e r t o m e e t i t s e x p o r t t a r g e t s , s u g g e s t s t h a t f o r a g o o d m a n y y e a r s a f t e r t h o s e t a r g e t f ig u r e s h a v e b e e n r e a c h e d , t h e s u p p l y i n d u s t r y w i ll s t il l b e h a n d ic a p p e d a s a r e s u lt o f G o v e r n m e n t p o lic y . I n t h e c ir c u m s t a n c e s , w e r e p e a t t h a t t h e i n ­ d u s t r y s h o u ld p u b lic is e a t e v e r y p o s s ib le o p p o r t u n i t y i t s i n a b i l i t y t o r e c t if y t h e p o s it io n o n a c c o u n t o f t h e r u l i n g in t h e W h i t e P a p e r , a n d t h a t i f i t w e re p o s s ib le t o a d h e r e t o t h e o r ig in a l p o w e r p l a n t e s t im a t e s , t h e a n t ic ip a t e d in c o n v e n ie n c e s i n 1950 a n d o n w a r d s w o u l d n o t o ccur.

T h e r e i s i n t h e s e r e m a r k s n o in t e n t io n o f o b s t r u c t io n , n o p o l it ic a l c r it ic is m , b u t i n t h e in t e r e s t o f th e g o o d n a m e o f e le c t r ic it y , t h e y s h o u ld , w e feel, b e m a d e . P u b l i c m e m o r y is s h o r t , a n d i f i n 1950 o n w a r d s , t h e r e s t r ic t io n o f e le c t r ic it y c o n s u m p t io n s t il l o b t a in s , th e in d u s t r y w ill b e b la m e d — w h e n i n p o i n t o f f a c t i t i s n o m o r e t h a n a h e lp le s s w it n e s s to t h e s o w i n g o f t h e se e d o f p o s s ib le d is c o n t e n t .

In d u s tr ia l E q u ip m e n t

T H E p r o p o s a l s i n t h e W h i t e P a p e r a ls o a ffe c t b r a n c h e s o f t h e e le c t r ic a l i n d u s t r y o u t s id e t h e r a n g e o f h e a v y p la n t , a m o n g w h i c h t h a t o f t e le p h o n e c o m m u n ic a t io n r a n k s h ig h . I n t h is c o n n e c t io n , b u i l d i n g w o r k w i ll b e m a i n l y c o n c e n t r a t e d o n e x ­ c h a n g e s a t a n e x p e n d it u r e v a lu e o f a b o u t h a l f t h a t o f p r e -w a r , a n d t h e p r o c e s s o f c o n n e c t i n g n e w s u b s c r ib e r s w i ll b e h e a v il y r e s t r ic te d . T h i s w i ll m e a n t h a t t h e p r e s e n t w a i t i n g li s t o f 4 0 0 0 0 0 p o t e n ­ t i a l t e le p h o n e u s e r s w i ll s t e a d ily g r o w , a n d t h e c o n d i t io n s w h i c h o b t a i n e d d u r i n g t h e a w a r y e a r s w i l l b e r e - e s t a b ­ lish e d . W o r k o n t h e r a i l w a y s w h ic h is w e ll a d v a n c e d w i ll n o t b e p o s t p o n e d , a n d s c h e m e s lik e t h e M a n c h e s t e r - S h e ffie ld a n d S h e n f ie ld e le c t r ific a t io n p r o j e c t s w i ll p ro c e e d . T h e n e e d fo r t h e

TH E E L E C T R IC IA N

5

D E C E M B E R 1947

1629

r e - e q u ip m e n t o f i n d u s t r y a f t e r t h e s t a g ­ n a n t w a r y e a r s is g r e a t, a n d t h o u g h i t

m a y b e p o s s ib le t o m e e t t h e d e m a n d fo r o u t p u t a t th e p r e s e n t tim e , th e m a c h in e s a r e e a c h y e a r d e m a n d in g h e a v ie r m a in t e n a n c e . T h i s r a is e s p r o ­ d u c t i o n c o sts, w h ic h w ill f i n a ll y f in d th e ir w a y t o t h e e x p o r t m a r k e t s , a n d w h ile t h e la t t e r m a y toe a b le t o c a r r y t h e m a t t h e m o m e n t , in c r e a s in g c o m p e t it io n w ill m a k e t h e im p o r t a n c e o f e ffic ie n t p la n t o f m o d e r n d e s ig n a n d i t s r e la t io n t o s e llin g p r ic e s m o r e c r itic a l. A n y sc h e m e w h ic h r e s u lt s i n a r e d u c t io n in c a p it a l e q u ip m e n t t o s o m e t h in g o f lit t le m o r e t h a n p r e - w a r le v el, ig n o r e s c o m p le te ly th e f a c t t h a t w e h a v e fiv e o r m o r e y e a r s le e w a y t o m a k e u p .

R eg io n al A re a B oards

T H E f o u r t e e n m a p s w h ic h d e fin e th e a r e a fo r w h ic h e a c h A r e a B o a r d is e s t a b lis h e d u n d e r t h e E l e c t r ic i t y A c t 1947, a r e n o w a v a i la b le f o r in s p e c t io n a t t h e a d d r e s s e s g iv e n in t h is issu e, a n d d iv id e t h e s u p p l y i n d u s t r y in t o th e f r a m e w o r k i t w i ll a s s u m e o n t h e v e s t in g d a y . S ix t e e n o f t h e p r e s e n t u n d e r ­ t a k i n g s g i v e s u p p lie s i n t e r r it o r ie s w h ic h w i ll b e f o u n d t o f a ll w i t h i n t h e a r e a s of m o r e t h a n o n e A r e a B o a r d , a n d i n th e se o a se s t h e d e c is io n h a s b e e n m a d e t h a t t h e in it i a l v e s t i n g w i ll a c c o r d w it h th e lo c a t io n o f t h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f th e a s s e t s o f e a c h u n d e r t a k in g . A f t e r v e s t in g d a te t h o s e p a r t s o f t h e s ix te e n u n d e r t a k i n g s w h i c h f a l l w i t h i n o th e r a r e a s w ill be t r a n s f e r r e d i n a c c o r d , a n d w i t h t h e p r o ­ v is io n s o f S e c t io n 19 o f t h e A c t . T h e r e a r e a ls o t h re e u n d e r t a k i n g s o w n in g tw o o r m o r e u n it s w h ic h w ill b e in d iffe r e n t are a s, a n d p r o v i s i o n h a s b e e n m a d e in th e se e a se s fo r a l l p r o p e r t y , etc., o f e a ch u n d e r t a k i n g t o b e i n it i a l l y v e s t e d in o ne A r e a B o a r d , s u b j e c t t o la t e r a d ju s t m e n t . T h e A r e a B o a r d w h ic h w ill t a k e o v e r th e la r g e s t n u m b e r o f m u n i c ip a l u n d e r ­ t a k i n g s (63) w i ll h e th e N o r t h W e s te r n , w h ile t h e la r g e s t n u m b e r o f c o m p a n y u n d e r t a k i n g s t a k e n o v e r w ill b e s h a r e d b y t h e S o u t h e r n a n d S o u t h - W e s t e r n B o a r d s w i t h 26 each.

L o ad S p read ing Results

T H E fir s t a p p r e c ia b le r e s u lt s o f t h e lo a d s p r e a d in g a r r a n g e m e n t s d e v e lo p e d b y t h e C e n t r a l E l e c t r ic i t y B o a r d h a v e n o w b e c o m e a p p a r e n t , a n d ' so m e o b s e r v a t io n s u p o n t h e m a r e g iv e n i n t h is issu e . F r o m t h e s e i t w ill b e n o t e d t h a t t h e o v e r a ll

effect o f t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s h a s b e e n t o r e d u c e t h e d a y - t i m e p e a k d e m a n d b y s o m e 5 0 0 / 600 M W , o r a b o u t 11 p e r c en t, o f t h e c u r r e n t i n d u s t r i a l d e m a n d . T h e f ig u r e s w h ic h w e g iv e , t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e c u r v e s r e p r o d u c e d , w e re s u p p lie d b y t h e C e n t r a l B o a r d a n d w h ile t h e r e s u lt s a r e s a i d t o b e p r o m is in g , t h e y a r e b y n o m e a n s a s s a t is f a c t o r y a s t h e y m i g h t be. I t is, p e r h a p s , s t il l t o o e a r ly to r e a c h a n y p o s it iv e c o n c lu s io n o n th e r e s p o n s e t o t h e w o r k i n g a r r a n g e m e n t s , f o r w i t h t h e e x c e p t io n o f th e l a s t fe w d a y s , t h e w e a t h e r h a s b e e n r e la t iv e ly m ild . W i t h t h e f o g g y a n d c o ld e r c o n ­ d it i o n s o f t h is w e e k in d u c i n g a n i n ­ c r e a s e d d e m a n d f o r s p a c e h e a t in g a n d li g h t i n g , h o w e v e r , iit m a y b e t h a t th e lo a d c u r v e s fo r e a r ly D e c e m b e r m a y o ffe r a b e t t e r i n d ic a t i o n o f w h a t m a y b e e x p e c t e d i n J a n u a r y a n d F e b r u a r y .

B ankside and the L .C .C .

T H E T o w n P l a n n i n g C o m m it t e e o f th e L . C . C . s u b m it t e d t o i t s C o u n c i l t h i s w e e k a p p r o v a l o f th e p l a n s a n d e le v a t io n o f th e n e w B a n k s i d e p o w e r s t a t i o n — fo llo w in g , w e p r e s u m e , t h e f i n d i n g s o f t h e R o y a l F i n e A r t C o m m is s io n , to t h e e ffe ct t h a t t h e a r c h it e c t u r a l s o lu t io n o f t h e p r o b l e m s e t t h e d e s ig n e r i s fin e ly c o n c e iv e d . T h e C o m m it t e e h a s p o in t e d o u t t h a t w h ile t h e C o m m is s i o n w a s n o t a s k e d t o c o n s id e r t h e s u i t a b i l i t y o f th e s ite a n d t h e p o s s ib le a t m o s p h e r i c e ffe ct o f t h e b u r n in g o f o il fu e l, i t fe lt i t i t s d u t y t o s t a t e t h a t i t c o n s id e r e d t h e s ite se le c t e d i n a p p r o p r ia t e f o r a v e r y la r g e p u b li c u t i l i t y s t r u c t u r e , a n d th e d e c is io n o f th e M i n i s t e r s o f T o w n a n d C o u n t r y P l a n n i n g a n d o f F u e l a n d P o w e r , o n e t h a t s t r u c k a t t h e r o o t s o f g o o d z o n in g a n d t o w n p l a n n i n g p r in c ip le s . S u c h r e m a r k s w h e n t h e g e n e r a t i n g c a p a c it y d e fic ie n c y s t a n d s a t a b o u t 2 500 M W , se e m t o b e d iv o r c e d f r o m a n y se n se o f r e a lis m , a n d s u g g e s t t h a t t h e n e w s t a t i o n w i l l h in d e r th e d e v e lo p m e n t p l a n s d r a w n u p f o r th e S o u t h w a r k E m b a n k m e n t . T h e e c o n o m ic life o f t h e n e w s t a t i o n w i ll b e n o lo n g e r t h a n t h a t o f a n y o th e r a n d p r o b a b l y s h o r t e r t h a n t h e t im e in t e r v a l b e fo r e t h e L . C . C .' w i ll b e a b le , i f ever, to p u t t h e ir i m p r o v e m e n t sc h e m e in t o a c t io n . T h e n e e d o f t h e m o m e n t a n d f o r t h e n e x t t e n t o fifte e n y e a r s i s m o r e a n d m o r e g e n e r a t i n g s t a t io n s , a n d w h ile t h a t n e e d p e r s is t s r e a s o n s u g g e s t s t h a t p l a n s o f t h e t y p e w h ic h t h e L . C . C . h a s in m i n d m u s t w a it .

5 D E C E M B E R 1947 TH E E L E C T R IC IA N