CURRENT FROM ARAPUNI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20249, 8 May 1929, Page 12

CURRENT FROM ARAPUNI.

ERECTION OF POWER-LINE.

EXPENDITURE TOTALS £220,000

[BY TELEGRAPH, —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HAMILTON, Tuesday.

The 110,000-volt steel tower transmission line between Arapuni and Penrose, which was livened up to-day for the first time, was completed about two yenrs ago at a cost of £220,000. When tho lino is in service there will be three circuits supplying power from Arapuni to Auckland. The tower lino comprises' two of tho three circuits, the third being the wood-pole line, which has been in service since July, 1025, and which is insulated for 110,000 volts, but which has been operating at 50,000 volts. On completion of the Arapuni power station tho three circuits connecting Arapuni and Penrose will bo operated at their full voltago of 110,000, and tho 50-000-volt systom of lines will be supplied by means of 110,000-volt to 50,000-volt transformers at Arapuni, Hamilton, and Bombay, and by 22,000-volt to 50,000-volt transformers at Penrose.

The Arapuni-Penrose steel tower line is 99.6 miles in length, and 527 towers, ranging in height from 40ft. to 85ft., were erected to carry it. Tho copper wire used weighs 26201b. to the mile. There aro 234 separate members in each one of the 70ft. towers and 661 bolts, exclusive of the foundations.

Tho contract price for the towers, which were supplied by an English firm, was approximately £45,000. Tho copper wire used cost £63,00& and tho insulators £II,OOO Tho net cost of tho lino was about £IBO,OOO, while tho cost of the survey, use of equipment, stores and overhead charges, brought the total cost up to about £220,000.