ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRICITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 4 June 1938, Page 7

ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRICITY

BROUGHT TO THE BACKBLOCKS HYDRO-ELECTRIC INSTALLATION This is unquestionably the age of electricity for all manner of lighting, heating and power. The increasing demand on the Government and local authority supply shows that day by day more and more use is being made of this great utility. Unfortunately, through distance from the source of supply, many backblock settlers are unable to enjoy its advantages: but, if water is available, even as far away as three miles from the homestead, a modern automatic hydro-electric system may be installed to give an abundance of electricity at the same pressure as supplied by the power boards, and in sufficient quantity for cooking, water-heating, heating, lighting and motive power. Such an installation has recently been carried out at Mr John Kelland’s homestead, Omarama, some 85 miles west of Oamaru, far beyond the bounds of possibility of supply from the town supply. Approximately 10 kilowatts of electrical energy at 230 volts alternating current are generated from a stream one mile and a-half from Mr Kelland’s homestead. Part of the stream is tapped by a race, which is cut around a hill to a point 180 feet above the diminutive power house, to which water is conveyed in seven-inch hydraulic pipes. The power plant comprises a pelton wheel and alternator, coupled by a Vee belt drive, both running on roller

bearings at comparatively low speeds The electricity generated is stopped up by a suitable transformer to a pressure of 6600 volts for transmission to the homestead, over a special steel wire of high tensile stress, supported on 30-foot steel poles.. Automatic protection's provided at the power house, and comes into operation in the ,event of a broken wire, or excessive rise in voltage, closing the whole plant down. Governing is carried out by means of an automatic electric balancer at the house end, which maintains the voltage within very close limits at any load within the capacity of the plant, and has the added advantage of providing a means

of raising or lowering the voltage as desired by the simple means of turning a screw. At the homestead, electricity is used for cooking, water heating, refrigeration, lighting, pumping, washing machine, and also for maintaining the storage cold water tank above freezing point during the winter. The range is streamlined, with a thermostaticallycontrolled oven, which is ingeniously arranged with a clock, so that for baking the oven temperature control is

set, and the clock adjusted to the baking period, at the end of which time a bell rings, indicating that the contents of the oven are ready for taking out. Water heating is provided from the latest type CJS cylinder, with threegallon auxiliary. From the auxiliary, fresh water for tea, etc., is automatically on tap at any time of day or night, this being in addition to the hot water system for bathroom and kitchen uses. The water-heating system is equipped with 4 kilowatts of power, aranged with six variations of heat, and delivers 160 gallons of boiling water. Tubular heaters are used in the bathroom and hall to maintain a safe, even temperature throughout the winter, in addition to several large portable heaters, which may be used as required. A large-sized three-door refrigerator, having a capacity of 15 cubic feet, is in use. as well as a powerful all-electric radio set, run direct from the plug without any interference from the plant. As an indication of the amount of power available, it might be stated that, if full use is made of the supply, considerably over £3OO worth of penny uits arc available per annum. The installation is designed to give in all respects the equal to a Government or power board supply, and should run for years with a minimum of attention. The installation of the whole of this plant was entrusted to Messrs G. T. Gillies, consulting and electrical engineers. Oamaru. The surveys, designing, and supervision of the entire scheme were carried out by the firm’s consulting engineer, Mr H. R. Wise, while the actual installation was carried out under the direction of Mr C. H. Court. This firm has now carried out a number of small major private schemes in districts extending as far back as Makarora, and to the firm’s Initiative In this highly specialised work mvfst go the credit in no small measure for bringing the convenience and service of electricity to backblock settlers, who could never hope to obtain it from local authority supply.*