SWITCH ON POWER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 177, 29 July 1941, Page 4

SWITCH ON POWER

NEW STATE OFFICES OPERATION THIS WEEK Ready to receive the touch of tingling, vibrating power to bring it to life, the electrical system in the new Government building in Jean Batten Place will be linked up with the electricity supply of the city this week. This "will be the culmination of 1G months of work in installing and bringing into service the most comprehensive power and lighting network in a building of this size in Auckland. Down in the basement is a substation enclosed by massive reinforced concrete walls, and into this to-morrow will be led a 6600-volt cable, there to be connected with a transformer and broken down to a voltage of 400 for distribution over miles and miles of wire to hundreds of electric light points, to heaters and elevators, and to cooking and other appliances. Looking at the iron-clad switchboard in another room the man in the street would scarcely guess that it controlled such an intricate system, for nearly everything is under cover, hidden from view, but a peep behind the scenes gives a different impression. Through a maze of conduit pipes, wires are connected with the rear of the switchboard at apparently scores of points, and one learns that 60 milos of wire reach to every part of the eight -storey building, protected at vulnerable places by 30,000 ft of galvanised conduit, ranging from five-eighths of an inch to two inches in tbieknesss. If the 430 lights in the building could be brought together the result would be a fairly good approach to a searchlight, and the tubular heating system, under thermostat control, m all the rooms, to maintain an even temperature, will represent a great advance in comfortable working conditions for the Departmental staffs. On the top floor will he a fullyelectrified kitchen, and throughout the offices is an electrically-operated automatic fire alarm system. In fact, in every respect the electrical installation sets an unusually high standard. Finishing work is in progress on all the floors, as craftsmen and tradesmen prepare the offices for occupation. Among the first of the staffs to move in will be the Post and Telegraph officials. It was originally expected that the contract would be completed before the winter, but difficulties connected with the supply of materials caused delay. Plans for the transfer of staffs are, however, now well advanced.