POWER LEAKAGES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 292, 23 September 1935, Page 6

POWER LEAKAGES

RADIO INTERFERENCE INVESTIGATIONS BY BOARD. REPORT BY MR KEMP. An interesting report on the investigations of power leakages in the County was presented to the Ashburton .Electric Power Board this morning by the Engineei-Secretaiy (Mr H . G. Kemp). The subject is closely bound Up with that of radio interference. His report was as follows: “Following investigations of the Wheatstone and Longbeach lines with the radio test set, insulators were Washed, and there was a very marked improvement in the noise as measured. As a result of further investigation the question of line leakage seems a very complex one, which will involve a good deal of experimenting and study to determine the best procedure. There is a great deal of difference between different lines depending on their location and type of insulator with which they are equipped. “A number of defective insulators have been located and iremovod so far, and probably washing and the removal of a small percentage of insulators, will clear up most lines, and on others it would appear that even washing is unnecessary. Other lines appear xo be in a very bad way, for example, the Black bridge line from Eiffelton, on which the insulators are an early type of local manufacture, and at the moment it would appear desirable to change all of them. Further investigation, howevter, will be made before xiie final conclusion is reached.

“The results so far obtained indicate that radio will be of very great value in determining the condition of line insulators and by continuing the investigation, and removing the faults found, we should obtain a very much more efficient system. This is, of course, additional to the benefits of improved radio reception in the effected areas. The investigations are not easily made as reference must be at the time of prevailing moisture content of atmosphere, and investigations must, therefore, be confined to times when there is a fair amount of moisture present. At present, apparent bad cases of radio interferences are being investigated, and the causes removed as far as possible, and at the same time a general survey is being made of lines to determine the programme of insulator washing or other treatment as may be indicated as desirable.” At the meeting Mr Kemp produced an insulator which had been tested at 6600 volts dry and had been good, but in wet conditions had broken down completely. The chairman (Mr EL F. Nicoll) said that leakages were costing the Board about £4OO a year. The investigations might mean the replacement of a large number of insulators, but it would put an end to leakages. .