Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-13
kLEUtRle LleHis.
different SYSTEMS Etplainsu ID
Plain Terms.


MKMPHis, Tenn, Jan. 10, 1855.
EDITOR lEDGER.-Having noticed
in the city papers different and COM
Trajectory statements regarding cleo
trie lights, and knowing the subject to
be OF general interest to the public,
and also one upon which but few are
we'll posted, would like 70 give a
statement regarding the different
lights%their defects and bsAuties~s
which l hope will be Of interest 70
your readers, and 70 some extent in
structiye.
In the first place, there are two
distinct kinds Of electric ~lights-the
arc aud the i~ncandescent. The arc
is the brilliant white light
which almost every one las seen upon
our streets, and is the spark given out
by the electric current, when forced
to leap the slight space between two
carbon pencils. This spark whsD
closely observed is found to be of an
arc shape, hence the name Of the light.
The power is from one TO eight thous-
and candles.
The incandescent light is a small
light OF from eight to ~thirty-two can-
die power and is caused by the heating
of a carbon tlameDt enclosed in an
exhausted glass globe, to a white heat,
the glow of the heated flament max
ing a soft, pleasing white light Of per-
feet steadiness, and free from hea. or
smell.
The arc light is especially adapted
for lighting large spaces where a great
amount oflight is required, but is not
suitable for general interior illu
minst on. The incsndescent light
is especially adsp'ed for Interior
lighting, as it admits Of more con
v%euient division and distribution, but
il is greatly inferior TO the arc light il
economy for lighting large spaces. Il
is impossible 10 obtain the best results
without a combination OF the two
systems.
There are two arc lights that are 10
general use in this country, These
are the Weston and the Brush. The
Weston is conceded by electricians
and the public where the two lights
are compared) to be infinitely the
superior in a great many respects. The
hiph current used in the Brush
system makes the use Of the light
ouJec,lonaOle. Professor Hedges.
Fellow Of the Chemical Society
London, says in a recent work: III
alternating currents so used, or a ma
chine of very high electric motion
force, as in the Brush system, it il
dangerous to touch any part Of tn.
gear at all while in motion, especially
i standing on metal or on the damp
ground"
Authentic authority says: SHOULD
fireman, standing on a metal root
axe hold Of a Brush light conductor
it is highly probable that death would
be instantaneous; or, being disabled
from the shock. he would be lost in
the flames be Was 50 heroically com
batting"
ms is one reason the committee
appointed by the city Of New York
refused to extend the contract for
lighting certain streets and parks to
the Brush Company, and awarded il
to the United States Electric Light
ing Company, who put in the Weston
iiVht at the price formally charged b,
the Brush.
The high current and long arc o.
the Brush light make the light an
steady aud unreliable, and the fire.
quent recurrence Of blue and violet
rays makes it disagreeable and tryint
10 the eyes. The low current and
short arc, as we'll as the superior
quality, of the Weston Carbons,
makes this a superior and pleas
ing. light. The Weston is
a steady burner. 1t does not flicker,
there is no change in the color OF tn,
light, and no rings form. The Westol
current is so low that there is DC
danger OF fires nor personal injur,
from it. The p%alatial steamer wills !.
Hays carries a rejecting light Of eigh
thousand candle power-a bri liancy
scarcely conceivable-and capable OF
projecting a bright ray for manv miles.
The two principal inc ndescen
lights Of this country are the Maxim
and the Weston. They are both ofthe
same general character, being a carbon
ilsment enclosed in an exhausted
glass globe. The Edison carbon is
Of horse shoe shape, and is not 5,
bright for a given power as the maxim
The maxim carbon is Of NJ shape and
makes a solid white light Of pleasing
and soft color, and great p%enetratini
and diifusive power. A comp. rison
Of the two systems can be made BY
any curious Memphian by conn airing
the Edison lights on the steamer kat
Adams and the maxim lights on the
steamers Guiding Star aud viii s.
Hays.
The electric light is no doubt the
great light of the future. The bust
ness is 10 its infancy, and those who
early drop into the procession" and
get close up TO the music" will be
the ones who will reap the benefit,
Respectfully,
GEORGE +. WILLIS.
MHn aasnanHrn