MR. GRIFFIN IN REPLY.
TO ELECTRICITY VARIATION.
No Excessive Figures.
LESS UNITS THAN LAST YEAR. USED «BY BUSINESS PEOPLE. Criticising the article yesterday on the variation of electric light charges, Mr Griffin, the Borough electrical engineer, seen yesterday, said. he had had time during the morning to go into figures and the total current used during June, as shown by the books at the Borough office. He said that contrary to what the “Star’s” article inferred he had received no complaint from any business man regarding voltage or poor light within the last six months, or even longer. The only exceptions to this were after storms, when damage was done or where a fuse blew out. on any one section. These were unavoidable eases that occurred in every town. He produced a table taken from the books, of the figures for June, 1929 and 1930, of 19 large business consumers, which showed that the units used in 1929 were 1015 and in June, 1930, 1004, a slight decrease.
The total consumption for Pollen Street alone showed: - 1929 — Units used .. 5651 1930 Units used .. 5766
an increase of 115 units, which Mr Griffin claimed as being a natural one, as some of the shops have had extra lights installed during the past twelve months. On the other hand, some accounts showed large inrreases during the past three months, which could hardly be accounted for. Three in Pollen Street were as follows: April. May. June. No. 1 . 56 74 99 units ' No. 2 . 90 105 168 units No. 3 . 103 '94 149 units while another • place, out of Pollen Street, .showed: ! April. May; Jun,e j 584 612 717 An extract of the fibures for 5d residences on the Block was suggested to Mr Griffin, and this show ; ed that 521 units were used in 1929 and 464 for 1930, a drop of 57 units in consumplion by the same people. Mr Griffin was insistent that what he said on Wednesday was the explanation that where there was a notable increase the customers were undoubtedly using the current. He pointed out that there is a bigger decrease in natural lighting during the months of May and June than in any other period of the year, and that during June there were many dull days, necessitating more lights ing, while on the contrary the early part of May was very bright. With regard to the electrician’s opinion #s quoted in the Star, Mr Griffin said that his statement was entirely wrong as regarding lighting and heating. When voltage dropped it followed as a natural sequence that the amperage also dropped, as the latter is entirely dependent on the former. The reference to the meters racing was obscure, and he could not explain what was meant as with less voltage the meters must run slower.
A point that should"be noted* is that if there is a constant low voltage and a brighter lamp is used then more current will be consumed.
i Lamps that have been in use over 1000 hours and have possibly become clogged with carbon consume more surrent with less light than a new lamp. The life of a lamp is estimated at 1000 huors, and any use in. excess of this time tends to make the light less and new lamps should be substituted. It would save current and he cheaper in the long run.
A very careful test is being taken of the meters of those consumers whose accounts show abnormal increases, but so far the meters have proved to be right.
Current is still being supplied direct to the Block and Parawai from Horo Hora, and while about 5 n.m. the voltage is inclined to be low, no verv great difference can be noticed. The Borough’s own plant is run at peak load times to augment the supply. Mr Griffin reiterated that the current charged for had undoubtedly been used, and should anything ab-
normal have occurred it would have been shown on all consumers’ accounts.
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Bibliographic details
Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 17930, 4 July 1930, Page 5
Word Count
667MR. GRIFFIN IN REPLY. Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 17930, 4 July 1930, Page 5
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