MENACE OF ELECTROLYSIS
MELBOURNE, May 22. The city engineer has issued a warning in regard to the menace of electrolysis. He states that a great deal of damage has already been caused to water and gas mains by the escape of electricity. That, however, is a small matter compared to the serious effects it is having upon buildings, the steel bars and girders of which are being eaten through. He adds that if the leakages are not stopped it is only a matter of time when
many buildings will crumble into ruins. The remedy would be the installation of return wires to carry back the direct current ; but this is expensive, and meantime properties valued at hundreds of thousands of pounds are being ruined. POSITION EXAGGERATED. ALL PRECAUTIONS TAKEN. WELLINGTON, May 25. The report from Melbourne as to the ravages of electrolysis has aroused considerable interest, especially amongst owners of steel-framed buildings. Government officials, such as Mr Shrimpton (chief telegraph engineer) and Mr Birks (chief electrical engineer) state that electrolysis is well known and guarded against, and they are inclined to think that the Melbourne engineer exaggerates the position. Special precautions are taken under the Tramways Act to minimise the escape of electric current.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19230529.2.89
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 23
Word Count
204MENACE OF ELECTROLYSIS Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 23
Using This Item
Allied Press Ltd is the copyright owner for the Otago Witness. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Allied Press Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in