THE NEW ELECTRIC LAMP

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 242, 6 July 1908, Page 8

THE NEW ELECTRIC LAMP

... -—. ..;. —, MORE LICHT AT A. REDUCED COST.... ' The ' introduction of tho Osram lamp for street lighting is stated to mean a.substantial cheapening of the cost of electric light. With electricity ' costing 7d. per unit in Wellington, an Osram lamp, of 32 c.p. can be used four hours for a cost of one'penny. Lik'o tho incandescent gas mantle, the new lamp costs more 'than its predecessor, but is said to have a longer useful lifo than the ordinary carbon 'filament lamp. Comparing an Osram lamp of 32.c.p.. and a carbon filament lamp of 16 c.p., there is a very great saving per 1000 hours in' favour of the new invention. With' electricity at 7d. per unit, the saving figures out "at lis. 6d., and the consumer obtains doublo the light.' Tho latter^is of a pure white colour, and preferablo to that' of the ordinary carbon lamp. The Osram lamp appears to maintain its candle power to within, a few per cent, of tho original for a period of 1000 hours, whereas a marked decline takes place in tho light' emitted from tho carbon lamp after burning a much shorter period.' These new lamps have been adopted for street lighting in certain towns in England, and it is .stated .that in spite of the vibration which is natural on a, tramway polo, they have an average lifo of. more than 1000 hours. , .• '

Mr. M., Cable, Assistant Electrical Engineer, informed a Dominion representative that the Osram lamp is not so hardy as the carbon incandescent lamp, and it, therefore', requires more careful handling. . The now;-lamps at present obtainable 'hero must jnly be used in a pendant position, otherwise the, filament will fracture immediately the current is "switched' oil. Lanips suitable for burning in an angular position will shortly be on the' market; In Wellington tests of these new lamps have been made for some four months, by tho Electric Department of ,the Oity Corporation. These tests prove that tho lanips burn on an averago well over 1500 hours, and that the light does not deteriorate to any appreciable extent throughout the life of the lamp. A number of these new lamps have been placed on tho street lighting poles in Brougham Street, for some months back, in order to test their suitability for public street light-, ing, and the results have fulfilled the highest expectations. with the severe climatic conditions prevailing in Wellington, there has been practically no troublo with breakages. .