Enlargement of Lines

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 161, 11 July 1939, Page 2

Enlargement of Lines

POWER BOARD’S GROWING LOAD Owing to substantial load increases, the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board faces in the near future the enlargement of a number of its principal lines. Reporting on the subject to the monthly meeting of the board yesterday, the engineer (Mr. W. A. Waters) stated: — “During the month of June, the load taken by Palmerston North was 4538 k.V.a. for 30 minutes. In one 15-minute period, tho load averaged 4808 k.v.a. Considering that they had all their water heaters off during this period, serious consideration will have to bo given to the matter of lines to this consumer. A year ago, their maximum load was 3798 k.v.a., so that the increaso is 73S k.v.a. in twelve months. It is reasonable to assume that next winter they will take 5000 k.v.a., probably more. If we had a mishap to tho Railway Road line during the winter, then the original To Matai line could not supply the load to Palmerston North, even if both Diesels were started up in addition.

“Last summer, the Longburn feeder was carrying full load, with very little to spare on Rangiotu feeder, while in the near future, there will be the question of supply to the new railway station, which will bo supplied from these lines also.

“The matter of extra copper for the above lines is being gone into, and a further report will be submitted in the near future. These four lines, Te Matai (twin circuit), Longburn and Rangiotu feeders—leave Bunnythorpe substation on one row of poles for a distance of about 47 chains, and this section must be changed to larger cables before the freezing works’ season starts in November. As soon as the money is available, I propose to order material for this section of the work.

“The load in Feilding is also increasing rapidly, and extensive alterations and extra transformers aro required there before next winter. When we purchased the Feilding plant, the maximum load had reached 180 k.v.a. from 1914 to 1924, and the transformer bank erected was 450 k.v.a., which sufficed till 1935, when a bank of 900 k.v.a. was installed, this size being the maximum that would fit in the space available on poles. During the past month, the load exceeded 900 k.v.a. and we will now have to duplicate this bank of transformers. “Owing to the bulk of extra equipment required and for other technical reasons, it is no longer good policy to erect theso transformers and switchgear on poles, and it will be advisable to purchase a section of land and erect an outdoor substation to provide for future growth in Feilding.” Subject to the consent of the Minister, the board decided to purchase a section in Feilding, as suggested by the engineer.