Provision Against Electric Shocks.

Southland Times, Issue 19197, 7 November 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

Provision Against Electric Shocks.

The workmen employed in electric lii-'ht works or on electric railways are in constant danger of receiving a severe ami sometimes a fatal shock, nnd thn number of lives loft thus every year is- very considerable. Various attempts have been made to protect i^hc men, and in electro-technical laboratories and high-tension central stations gloves aivl boots made of india-rubber are in general use. These, however, offer no sufficient protection, and Professor Artemieff, a wellknown Russian electrician, has invented a dress for workmen which is said to be a great improvement on anything hitherto in use. The professor's idea is a simple one, and is based on the well-known fact that an electric current will always follow the lines

Profkhs-ou Aktemieff in vis electisic tuoof SHIT, STANDING, AN';> KITTINIi IX ONM OF 'illK CIIAIII.S IN WHICH THEY " FA.rcYV.iH V1 K " ( IUMIXALS, WITH TUB LTMSHNT VVSA. f>N. of least rosistnnce, or, in other words, if it has the choice between » ;.;of'd ntul a l>ad conductor it will follow tin; lormer. So that, as has been said, the s:ifeHt place in ft, thunderstorm is inside a suit of minor, therlcctrio fluid goin^ through the armor, which is a good conductor, in preference to the huniun body, which oilers a high resistance. The patent suit, indeed, in nothing else than a suit of armor, made, however, not of solid steel, but of. a fine metni network backed with linen. Clptbod in this (Irons, the workman can " handle electric wires with impunity, the fine wires lorming the dress acting a.s an ' earth.' " Professor ArtrniieJT proved the usefulness of his invention by allowing a powerful electric current ,to be sent through him while dressed as shown in our illustration. Ho came through the ordeal unscathed.