POWER SUPPLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20570, 2 June 1941, Page 2

POWER SUPPLY

THREAT OF SHORTAGE j RESTRICTION PLANS PROPOSALS IF NECESSARY Details of its proposals in the event of a power shortage, or should it be necessary to restrict installations because of a shortage of materials, were submitted to a recent conference of members of the electrical trade by the Auckland Electric-Power Board. In the event of some curtailment in the use of electrical supply being necessary owing to a shortage of power the statement of the board explained that it was proposed to deal with the situation by restricting new connections and by disconnecting certain classes of loading. The extent and the order in which such classes of loading would be disconnected until the desired reduction had been achieved would be as follows: —(a) Advertising signs, 100 per cent reduction (b) electric radiators not used in process work, 100 per cent; (c) extensions to lighting and power in existing domestic installations, 100 per cent; (d). reduction in the number ,or in the hours of burning of street lighting, 25 per cent; (e) elimination of all shop window lighting. Supplies of Materials The statement pointed out that in common with most other organisV tions the board was already experiencing considerable difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of material and equipment. It was impossible to say what the future position was likely to be, and already delays had, occurred in connecting new installations'. There- were now a number of installations, particularly in State houses, which could not be connected until further equipment became available. If the position became more acute, some curtailment of the board’s present policy of unrestricted extensions to its system was inevitable. In the event of such a position aris- } ing, the' following order of priority to be observed in dealing with appli- ; cations for new installations, or additions to existing installations, had - been prepared:— (1) Essential comh mercial applications connected with national defence; (2) ordinary comii ipercial power installations; (3) fac;i tory lighting installations; (4) domes- “ tic lighting installations; (5) domestic cooking and water heating installa- ■' , tions; (6) extensions to existing installations involving lighting; (7) street lighting; (8) electric radiators; <9) shop window lighting; and (10) advertising signs. Preliminary Measures % - Before putting into- operation any such curtailment of installations, it was proposed to make an appeal for reduction in non-essential use qf existing equipment, and an examination of the results obtained would determine the extent to which the S restrictions would have to be applied. I. The conference appointed a committee to confer with the board from time to time and to discuss all aspects " of the problem. It comprises two representatives of the Electi’ical Traders’ Association, two representatives'from the Electrical Contractors’ AssSciall6h',%one representative from the radio section of the trade, one representative of manufacturers of electrical appliances, and one representative of other retail houses which £ sell electrical equipment.