Electric Lighting Plant.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43118, 25 July 1907, Page 2

Electric Lighting Plant.

A PROGRESSIVE POLICY. PROPOSED DUPLICATION. ELECTRICIAN’S REPORT. “ To the Mayor and Councillors Te Aroha Borough. Gentlemen, —Owing to there being sufficient applications for electric light supply to bring the load up to the full capacity of the present installation, and it being necessary to refuse all future applications, the Electric Lighting Committee have instructed me to submit a report on the present condition and requirements of the installation.

The electrical and hydraulic machinery at the powerhouse and in the town has run without interruption or signs of defect up to the present date. This happy condition, however, may not always obtain and the interests of the consumers, who have gone to considerable expense in installing wires and fittings, should be safeguarded by having •pares for all parts of the installation. When con.'idoring the matter of spares it is necessary to decide whether (1) To obtain spares for those parts which are most likely to become defective and risking the good running of the main machinery ; (2) To obtain a complete spare unit switchboard and transformer.

From a consumer or prospective consumers point of view the second course must appear more desirable and it must be remembered that, with the near prospect of a town hall being built, the Council becomes at once the most prospective customer. Th* true basis of consideration, however, must be a financial one and the question, “ Will it pay?” must outweigh all other considerations. Fortunately it is from this point of view that the greatest inducement must arise for pursuing a progressive policy. I have prepared below a comparison between the possibilities of the present installation and one having double its output. The maximum annual earning capacity of the present installation is £BBO to .£9OO. The present annual expenses are five per cent interest on £5,600, £275 ; salaries, £255 ; collecting, £25 ; sundry expenses (estimated), £IOO. Total £655. Gross profit £225 to £245. The maximum earning capacity of an installation having double the present output, when running at f full load would be £1320 to £1350. The estimated cost of running would be (present cost of running £655, plus increased interest £SO, increased expenses and salaries £100). Total £BOS. Gross profit £515 to £545.

Should one machine break down the other, when running at 25 per cent, overload (which is quite permissible in cases of emergency), would carry the greater part of full load, thus causing but slight inconvenience. No allowance has been made in either case for depreciation, which, based on figures given by Mr Robert Hammond (one of the oldest and best consulting electrical engineers in Great Britain) will be £220 and £260 respectively. Deducting these sums from gross profits in their respective cases leaves a nett profit of £5 to £25 for the present plant and £255 to £285 for an installation double the size when running at three-quarter full load. It may be concluded, therefore, that the best method of provid’ng spares will be to increase the present installation, and I would strongly recommend that the following extensions be carried out. At the powerhouse —One direct coupled alternator and Pelton wheel, having an output of fifty killowatts ; one main switchboard panel. At the transformer house opposite public school. -One 25 Killowatt transformer and necessary switches. The cost of this additional plant would be £IOOO. Should it be decided to obtain spares for the weakest parts only, I would recommend that a spare exciter tymature and one 25 Killowatt transformer be procured at a cost of J 6120.

The prospective value of power supply should always be kept in view, For six months of the year 100 horse power is running to waste and from two to four months 30 to 50 horse power. To utilise this, an engine would be necessary, costing about £llOO.

The estimated income when supplying at one penny per unit would be £6OO to £7OO. The cost of running including interest and depreciation would be £349. With cheap water carriage for raw material and the cheapest possible power supply available by simply moving a switch, there would be every inducement for manufacturers to start here. There would be the further advantage both for light and power, of having standing machinery against the breakdown of the hydraulic works.” Cr Hubbard said that in view of accidents which might result in leaving the town in darkness for some weeks, the Electric Light Committee had decided to get a report from the electrician as to the cost of a duplicate plant, and extras of parts that were likely to wear out. He spoke strongly in favour of a duplication and moved the following notice of motion, “ that the Council take steps to b irrov £I,OOO on the sum required to duplicate the present elect light plant. He stated that a couple of gentlemen in the town were willing to take up £2O each, and he thought the remainder could easily be raised locally. His Worship the Mayor said he was in' favour of the idea, and it was decided to hold a special meeting to discuss the matter. Cr Rowe was in favour of getting Steuart and Fenn to come up and report on the work. Cr. Hubbard said the Electrician preferred for the council to have an independent report.