Potential Death in 230 Volts Current

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7013, 12 September 1929, Page 6

Potential Death in 230 Volts Current

TELEGRAPHIST’S DEATH. FREQUENT WARNINGS SHOULD BE ISSUED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The danger of using equipment of a temporary or unsuitable nature in conjunction with modern supply systems of 230 volts was stressed at the adjourned inquest into the death of Leslie Arthur Jones, - who received a fatal shock while handling an electrical lead at his heme on August 30.

Deceased, who was a telegraphist employed by the Post and Telegraph Department, was working under his house an the installation of a wireless set with an electric lamp, when his death occurred. “The attention of the general public should be directed to the danger present when appliances of a temporary or unsuitable nature are used, in the electrical supply systems existing at the pjresent time. Electricity at this voltage is too often treated in a careless manner, chiefly through ignorance of its possibilities and the public should be warned against the practice,” said W. L. Langridge, an electrical engineer employed by the Public Works Department. In returning a verdict of accidental death by electrocution, the Coroner added a rider; commending to the consideration of the Power Board, the advisability of sending a printed warning to consumers of electricity, pointing out the danger, as soon as and as often as possible.