Part 2
The motor frames, the entire frame of the crane and the tracks must be permanently and effectively grounded.
A number of recommendations were made calling for conductive coatings on cables, outlet boxes and fittings in order to secure better electrical contact at all points throughout systems in which they are used.
The following suggested changes in the rules were adopted: The fine print note under rule 2, section a, was amended to read as follows: “Wires from generator to switchboard may, however, be placed in conduit, provided that proper precautions are taken to protect them against moisture and mechanical injury. If lead-covered cable is used no further protection against moisture will be required, etc.” Section c of the same rule was amended by inserting the words, “where not in conduit,” after the first word. The last sentence of the fine print note in rule 12, section g, was amended to read: “The outer or weather end of conduit is to be provided with approved devices having wires separated and bushed through porcelain.”
A number of changes were made in rule 24. Section a, with fine-print note, was stricken from the Code; section o was amended by making the first recommendation “a turn of 90 deg., etc.”; section p was amended so as to restrict the number of different circuits in the same conduit to four two-wire or three three-wire; section x was changed by substituting the word _or_ after the word _fastenings_ for _of_. Rule 24A was also changed somewhat. Section d was amended so as not to prohibit the installation of armored cable without the lead covering in buildings of fireproof construction in locations free from moisture; the word “underground” was omitted from the first line of the fine-print note under section a. A new section was added as follows: “All bends must be so made that the armor of the cable will not be injured. The radius of the curve of the inner edge of any bend not to be less than one and one-half inches.”
Rule 28, section e, was amended so as to exclude flexible cord from show cases as well as show windows; the fine-print note under section g was omitted. A number of minor changes were made in the rules governing the wiring of theaters, principally in inserting the words, “or armored cable,” so as to permit the use of the latter as an alternative to rigid conduit. The other changes have to do with the details of construction, fitting, etc. Among the miscellaneous suggestions adopted were the following: All self-fastening knobs, cleats and supports must be secured by suitable screws; wires in molding must be in continuous lengths from outlet to outlet or from fitting to fitting; sockets or rosettes cannot be used to dead-end a circuit; soap-stone can be used as an alternative for slate or marble; and ends of flexible wire need not be soldered before insertion under binding posts, as called for in rule 14, section c.
Approved Electrical Devices
This department from time to time will contain an illustrated description of all fittings approved by the Underwriters’ National Electric Association.
CONDUIT BOX, FLOOR OUTLET.
Iron box, brass floor plate and nozzle. Cat. No. 100. Approved March 20, 1908. Manufactured by
=Arthur Frantzen Co., 92 W. Van Buren St., Chicago, Ill.=
GROUND CLAMPS.
“Neco” and “Griptite” clamps for rigid conduit, in sizes for ½-inch to 3-inch pipe. ”Flexclamp” for Greenfield flexible steel conduits or armored cable, sizes A to E, inclusive. Approved March 20, 1908. Manufactured by
=Novelty Electric Co., 50-54 North Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa.=
PANELBOARDS.
Cuthbert Panelboards, 125, 125-250, and 250 V., two and three wire, with double pole knife or snap switches and link, Edison plug or cartridge inclosed fuses. Approved March 20, 1908. Manufactured by
=Cuthbert Electrical Manufacturing Co., 105-109 S. Clinton St., Chicago, Ill.=
RECEPTACLES FOR ATTACHMENT PLUGS.
Surface receptacles with pull-off attachment plugs. Two-wire, Cat. No. 45,395, 25 A, 125 V; three-wire, Cat. No. 45,490, 25 A, 125-250 V. (For use with approved sub-base only.) Approved March 20, 1908. Manufactured by
=General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.=
SWITCHES, KNIFE.
Cuthbert Panelboard Switches, 15 A, 125 V, and 25 A, 250 V. Approved March 20, 1908. Manufactured by
=Cuthbert Electrical Manufacturing Co., 105-109 S. Clinton St., Chicago, Ill.=
CONDUIT BOXES.
“Unilets” cast-iron outlet boxes with threaded openings for ½ to 3-inch rigid conduit. With covers of stamped steel or porcelain, or with porcelain bushings. Types 1-12 and 14. Approved April 13, 1908, for exposed work only. Manufactured by
=Appleton Electric Co., 224 Washington St., Chicago, Ill.=
FIXTURES.
“Oamco” show window reflector. Cat. Nos. 655, 655A, 655B, 655C. A metal trough lined with glass reflectors and fitted with approved lamp sockets carried on cast-iron arms bolted to iron pipe containing wiring. Approved April 13, 1908. Manufactured by
=Overbaugh & Ayres Mfg. Co., 232 South Clinton St., Chicago, Ill.=
LAMP ADJUSTERS.
“Gem” lamp Adjusters, styles A and B. A pulley-wheel mounted in iron bracket, wheel controlled by locking mechanism so as to permit the adjustment of a pendant lamp hung from a porcelain knob secured to device. Suitable for use with flexible pendant cord. Approved April 13, 1908. Manufactured by
=Gem Mfg. Co., 467 Eleventh Ave., Milwaukee, Wis.=
MISCELLANEOUS.
Mercury Arc Rectifiers for converting alternating to direct currents; outfits supplied for A. C. circuits of 110-220 and 330 volts with D. C. current capacities up to and including 50 Amps. (For Telephone Battery Service this apparatus may include G. E. Type A Transformer of unit ratio, to be inserted as insulation between A. C. circuit grounded neutral and ground return of the telephone system.) Compensating reactance case must be mounted on base of slate or over non-combustible insulating material when installed on floor or wall of combustible material. Approved April 13, 1908. Manufactured by
=General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.=
M. S. Cord Grip. A fibre disc for use in socket and attachment plug caps, rosettes and similar devices, replacing knot in flexible pendant cord. Approved April 13, 1908. Manufactured by
=Marshall Electric Mfg. Co., 301 Congress St., Boston, Mass.=
RECEPTACLES FOR ATTACHMENT PLUG.
Surface receptacles, with pull-off attachment plug. Three-wire, Cat. No. 45,490, 25 A., 125-250 V., for use only with approved sub-base. Two-wire, Cat. No. 45,395, 25 A., 125 V. Approved April 6, 1908. Manufactured by
=General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.=
Surface Receptacles, 20 A., 25 V. Cleat concealed and moulding types, Cat. Nos. 5,567 to 5,569, inclusive. Flush Receptacle, 20 A., 250 V., Cat. No. 5,551. Approved April 13, 1908. Manufactured by
=Harvey Hubbell, Inc., 35 Organ St., Bridgeport, Conn.=
Lang stage receptacle and plug, 125 and 250 V. Base of single piece of hard porcelain or alberene stone. Hardwood plug for stage cable. For use in suitable iron or steel box. Approved April 13, 1908. Manufactured by
=J. Lang Electric Co., 116 N. Lincoln St., Chicago, Ill.=
Russell stage pocket and plug, Cat. No. 13, 50 A., 125 V. Receptacle with porcelain base mounted in suitable cast-iron box. Plug of red fibre provided with fibre clamp replacing knot in cord. Approved April 13, 1908. Manufactured by
=Russell & Stoll Co., 48 Cliff St., New York, N. Y.=
RECEPTACLES, STANDARD.
Bryant Receptacles, 3 A., 250 V., Sign, Cat. Nos. 1,700 and 46,749. Cleat Cat. Nos. 9,402, 9,403, 921, 1,011, 1,123, 50,715, 11,221, 28,795, 58,949, 58,300, 58,301. Concealed, Cat. Nos. 50,744, also 9,447, fusible 2 A., 125 V. Moulding, Cat. Nos. 42,453, 58,302 and 58,950. Conduit box. Cat. Nos. 9,514 and 9,397. Rosette receptacles, cleat and concealed types, fusible, 2 A., 125 V., Cat. Nos. 9,434, 9,436, 9,438, 9,404, 9,405 and 9,406. Approved April 2, 1908. Manufactured by
=Bryant Electric Co., Bridgeport, Conn.=
Porcelain shell, keyless, 3 A., 250 V. Cleat type, Cat. Nos. 28,794, 28,795 and 11,221. Concealed type, Nos. 50,744 and 50,717. Conduit boxes, Nos. 9,397, 40,537, 49,354 and 9,514. Sign receptacle, No. 46,627. Wall sockets, brass shell, key, 50 C. P., keyless. 3 A., 250 V. Concealed base, Nos. 9,184, 27,743, 29,404, 9,185, 27,743 and 29,405. Angle base, Nos. 50,753, 28,721, 29,406, 50,755. 28,722 and 29,407. Approved April 13, 1908. Manufactured by
=General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.=
THE JOURNAL OF ELECTRICITY, POWER AND GAS
Published Weekly by THE TECHNICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY 111 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, California
E. B. STRONG, President and Gen’l Manager A. H. HALLORAN, Secy. and Managing Editor
Directors:
R. J. DAVIS A. M. HUNT E. M. SCRIBNER C. L. CORY E. B. STRONG
Yearly subscription, $2.50. Single copies, 10 cts. Back numbers prior to the current month, 25 cts. Canadian subscription $3.50.
Foreign subscription, $4.00.
Subscriptions cannot be begun with back numbers.
Manuscripts submitted must be accompanied by postage to insure return.
Address all communications and make all remittances payable to The Technical Publishing Company.
Entered as second-class matter at the San Francisco Post Office as “The Electrical Journal,” July, 1895.
Entry changed to “The Journal of Electricity,” September, 1895.
Entry changed to “The Journal of Electricity, Power and Gas,” August 15, 1899.
Entry changed May 1, 1906, to “The Journal of Electricity, Power and Gas,” Weekly.
VOL. XX MAY 2, 1908 No. 18
EDITORIAL.
[Sidenote: MANUFACTURING OPPORTUNITY.]
The first half century of Western development was accomplished without the aid of cheap fuel. This lack was really a blessing in disguise, for it applied the needed spur that finally forced the utilization of its protean water powers. But with the development of its latent oil resources there became available a fuel whose cheapness and convenience should enable the West to compete in the manufacturing field.
There has been no factor of greater use and with less recognition, in this attainment, than the aid given by the engineer. The first and most pressing problem was the taming of the furious force of newly tapped gushers, so as to regulate and control their flow with reference to reservoir capacity. But so irresistible were some that they could no more be restrained than can the waves of the ocean. Millions of barrels flowed to wanton waste. Earthen barricades were hastily built around open pools, and considerable oil was thus preserved, only to be flooded into an unready market, whose demand was not sufficient to absorb the sudden oil supply. Nor were the existing means of transportation suitable.
Here, indeed, was work to be done. How quickly a market was created is indicated by the fact that in 1906 the local consumption was greater than the production. This was due to an accumulation caused by low prices, the average being less than twenty-five cents, and the minimum ten cents. A fleet of tank steamers and a pipe line across the Isthmus of Panama soon gave access to the Atlantic, and Pacific possibilities were vigorously developed, so that the demand has already doubled this price.
With regard to the crude oil, boilers and furnaces have been reconstructed so as to efficiently use the new fuel. Radical changes were necessary in order to provide increased air capacity and new means of air distribution. The very best of our engineering talent have been so successfully concerned with this problem that fuel oil is now used in nearly every steam plant on land and sea, for both stationary and locomotive use. Petroleum-enriched water gas is much superior in cost and quality to the illuminant it is displacing, and now requires considerable oil. Smelting with oil will soon be an accomplished fact in spite of many difficulties, and oil engines such as the Diesel also utilize the crude.
Following its utilization as fuel, there came its varied applications as a refined product. Gasoline and engine oils were separated for use in the various types of explosive engines, lubricating oils were distilled to make the running easier, and from the residue, asphalt was taken to meet the good roads movement. Many other varied uses have been developed for this product, including its application to roofing and weatherproofing. Chemists have found that most of the California oil, as well as that from the Texas fields, contains an asphaltum rather than a paraffine base, which thus distinguishes them from most of the Eastern oils.
Coincident with this increasing use of oil during the past decade have been the improvements in the method of carrying it. The great expense of reaching this engineer-made market demanded that cheap transportation be provided. Long pipe lines have been built, which pour the oil directly into the refinery or into ships that take it to a foreign market. One nearly three hundred miles long was constructed, but proved inoperative on account of the great viscosity of the oil. But even this difficulty has been met and overcome by an entirely new principle that promises to solve the problem, and forms one of the interesting stories the “Journal” has yet to tell.
Not less important than the engineering problems already outlined is that detailed in this issue by our friend, Mr. Clem. A. Copeland. Disastrous fires have consumed millions of gallons, and any means that lessens this needless waste is welcomed. Incidentally it illustrates the importance of studying other jobs in relation to their possible application to new problems. The adoption of long-span work required courage, which has been justified by the results. It is not our province to discuss the ethics of competitive struggles which have characterized the history of oil wherever developed in large quantities in this country. But, as long as competition endures, stagnation is prevented, and it is undoubtedly due to this stress that so much engineering ingenuity has resulted.
COMMERCIAL DAY AT THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC LIGHT ASSOCIATION
Mr. Geo. W. Williams, who is one of the best known commercial men in the country, and Mr. Frank B. Rae, of Selling Electricity, are joint editors on what will probably be one of the very interesting features of that particular part of the convention, namely: “An illustrated talk on the methods of creating demand for electricity.” This will include stereoptican views showing in detail the progress of the outline and sign lighting in large and small cities.
PERSONAL.
C. K. King, vice-president of the Ohio Brass Company, is expected in San Francisco this week.
P. H. Coolidge has come from Chicago to take the management of the Western Electric Co. of San Francisco.
W. A. Blair succeeds Mr. R. L. Van Valkenberg as assistant treasurer of the Western Electric Co. Mr. Van Valkenberg will go East on May 15th.
Alonzo Gartley, General Mgr. Hawaiian Electric Co., Honolulu, is in San Francisco as a member of the Hawaiian Governor’s staff, on the way East to attend the Roosevelt conference.
W. I. Otis, who has been associated with the Western Electric Co. for the past five years, severs his connection with the company on May to open an office at 111 New Montgomery St., is the representative of several responsible Eastern manufacturers.
Tracy E. Bibbins, San Francisco manager Supply Department General Electric Co., has recovered from the shock and minor injuries received in the recent wreck of the “Owl,” and is receiving the congratulations of his friends on having escaped without serious injury.
James D. Schuyler, hydraulic engineer, of Los Angeles, Cal., has been appointed member of a board of engineers to investigate and report on a power plant in Japan for an English syndicate to operate the street railways in Tokio and Yokohama, and to furnish current for lighting and power of those cities.
OBITUARY
Mr. Samuel B. Rawson, president of the Dean Electric Co., died Thursday, April 9, 1908, at Elyria, Ohio.
TRADE CATALOGUES.
Holophane Reflectors for Gem, Meridian, Tantalum and Tungsten lamps are illustrated and described in Bulletin No. 6 from the Holophane Company of New York City.
Bulletin No. 21 from H. Krantz Mfg. Co., 160-166 Seventh St., Brooklyn, N. Y., illustrates and describes Standard and Water-Tight Boxes for all electrical installation purposes. This line includes floor, wall, ceiling, elevator, receptacle, switch, conduit and junction boxes, as well as boxes with plugs and receptacles for either wood, concrete or parquet floors or marine installations.
The General Electric Company, Schenectady, N. Y., in Bulletin No. 4,576, describes the Type F, Form K-3 line of oil switches for panel installation and remote control, on systems of 4,500 volts or less. The object of Bulletin No. 4,578 is to describe the essentials of the various standard controllers that are manufactured for railway service, with special reference to the operating conditions for which each type is suited. Among the controllers described are Type B, which include the necessary contacts and connections for electric braking, Type K for series parallel operation of the motors, Type L, also in the series parallel class, but which completely open the power circuit when changing from series to parallel; Type R, which are designed to control the motor speeds by means of resistance only, and a brief outline of the Sprague-General Electric Type M control system. The General Electric CQ motor is described in detail in a 16-page bulletin. This motor is for direct-current circuits, and is made up to 20-horsepower in size, and for voltages, of 115, 230 and 550. The application of the motor to linotype equipments, ventilating outfits, machine tools, etc., is also outlined. The extensive tables of dimensions, capacities, etc., in the bulletin, will be found very useful in preparing specifications.
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS.
Switchboard Attendant (Male).
The United States Civil Service Commission announces an examination on May 6, 1908, to secure eligibles from which to make certification to fill a vacancy in the position of switchboard attendant (male), $900 per annum, United States Military Academy, West Point, N. Y., and vacancies requiring similar qualifications as they may occur in any branch of the service. The examination will consist of letter-writing, practical questions, and experience. Applicants for this examination should be practical electricians. They should state accurately in their applications what experience they have had in the handling of both alternating- and direct-current switchboards and alternating- and direct-current generators; also experience with various meters used in measuring high-voltage currents, rheostats, transformers, and other apparatus used in a power house.
An examination will be held on May 6, 1908, to fill a vacancy in the position of assistant engineer, $900 per annum, office of the Attorney-General, Washington, D. C.; a vacancy in the position of engineer, $1,020 per annum, Freedmen’s Hospital, Washington, D. C.; and vacancies requiring similar qualifications as they may occur. Applicants who have had experience in plumbing should so state in their applications, as such experience is required for the position in Freedmen’s Hospital. The examination will consist of letter-writing, practical questions in mechanical and electrical engineering (comprising the construction and operation of the heating plant and electric lighting and elevator machinery in first-class public buildings), and experience in mechanical and electrical engineering work.
GAS ENGINEERING.
In order to meet the constantly increasing demand for training in gas engineering, four courses have been established at Cornell University. First, a course of lectures on the general theory of gas engines; second, a course of lectures on gas engine design; third, a drafting room course in gas engine design; and fourth, a lecture course which treats of the engineering problems involved in the conversion of various solid and liquid fuels into gas fuels, and in the transmission of gas fuels. This course discusses the different gas making processes and gives descriptions and studies of designs of apparatus used. The object of these four courses is to give to the student taking them the fundamental ideas of modern gas engineering.
The gas engine laboratory, which was moved into one of the small buildings in the court after the building had been rendered fireproof by concrete walls and floor, has proved a very satisfactory addition to the laboratory and will doubtless produce much valuable scientific information. It is now equipped with examples of every important type of gas engine which has been produced since the time of Brayton. A producer gas plant is being installed and will soon be in practical operation. Through the kindness of John Wilkinson, M. E., Cornell 1889, chief engineer of the Franklin Co., a four-cylinder Franklin automobile engine has been presented.
PATENTS
CUT-OUT. 884,978. John H. Booth, Frank E. Blausey, and Arthur M. Smith, San Pedro, Cal.
A cut-out comprising a base having a line terminal and an instrument terminal, a drop lever pivotally mounted on the base, line terminal being connected with the pivotally mounted drop lever, lever having its free end provided with a fork, a bracket to which the instrument terminal is connected, bracket being also provided with a fork, a fuse resting in the forks, and supporting the drop lever, and a carbon block having a ground connection connected with the cut-out adjacent to the end of the fuse which rests in the fork of the bracket.
* * * * *
PROCESS OF MAKING GAS. 884,655. Alexander M. Gow, Edgewood Park, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to the Westinghouse Machine Company.
The process of making gas, which consists in blowing to incandescence the exterior portion of a body of fuel, forcing fresh fuel into the interior of the body, utilizing the sensible heat of the incandescent fuel in the destructive distillation of the fresh fuel, introducing steam into the interior portion of the body of fuel and causing it to pass, first through the fresh fuel and then through the heated exterior portion of the fuel bed.
* * * * *
ELECTRIC HEATER. 884,540. Elihu Thomson, Swampscott, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company.
An electric heater comprising a receptacle, containing oil having a high flashing point and means for circulating the same, a resistance conductor immersed in the oil and adapted to heat the same, and a heating system partially within the container and arranged to receive its heat from the circulating oil.
* * * * *
IMPACT WATER-WHEEL. 884,907. William A. Doble and Frederick Gfeller, San Francisco, Cal.
The combination with the body of an impact wheel, of buckets each having at separated points, one in advance of the other, a central and two parallel perforated ears, the perforations of the central ear of each bucket axially in line with those of the parallel ears of the contiguous bucket, and bolts passing transversely through perforations and through the body.
* * * * *
SYSTEM OF CONTROL FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS. 884,541. Leonard A. Tirrill, Lynn, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company.
The method of operating a compound-wound motor, which consists in supplying current to the armature and field windings, cutting out the armature and connecting the series field winding to the source of current supply, connecting the armature in reverse relation to the series field winding, and then inserting a high resistance in series with the shunt field winding.
THE PASSING OF A PIONEER.