PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16573, 4 November 1921, Page 11

PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMPS.

DANGERS FROM UNSKILLED WIRING*

At least three fatal accidents have occurred in New Zealand directly due to unskilled or careless wiring of portable electric lamps. A circular letter on the subject has been received by Mr E. Hitchcock, general manager of the City Council electrieitv department, from Mr I>. Birks, Chief Government Electrical Engineer. In forwarding a copy of tliis circular, Mr Hitchcock writes: ‘‘While a rigid inspection is made by the department of all fixed installations before they are put into service, unsafe portable apparatus is sometimes added subsequently by consumers without a. full knowledge of the necessary precautions required. The control and supervision of such apparatus is a matter of some difficulty.” After referring to the fatal accidents and asking that publicity should be given to the danger that exists if proner precautions are not taken to make all portable electrical apparatus safe lor handling, Mr Birks says 44 It has been noted that all the accidents referred to have resulted from defective wiring, carried out usually by the consumer himself. In such cases th© wiring contractors are, of course, not t,o blame, but their salesmen can assist by asking a few questions whenever they suspect that amateur wiring is intended, and advising the risks involved. Electrical apparatus is perfectly safe if properly wired, and it must be noted that each of these accidents was due to defective installations. “ To minimise this risk, it is necessary that all portable lamps for use at a pressure exceeding 120 volts must b© provided with substantial guards which must be insulated from the lampholder, and the lampholder itself must be entirely enclosed an«j protected from accidental contact. The ordinary hare lampholder should never be used as a portable lamp in anv place in which the person holding the lamp can touch an earth or concrete floor, gas or water pipes or any metal work. In wet places, or places impregnated with salt or chemicals, the risk is most serious, but can be entirely eliminated at the standard pressure of 230 voKs by using only fixed lamps with ceiling switches operated by a cord, which to render it. impervious to moisture, should be dipped in melted paraffin. If portable lamps are absolutely essential in such wet places, the pressure should be transformed down to 50 volts for the purpose.