Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-14
ON ELECTRIC METRES.
An Electrician Expatiates Upon Elec-
trical Measurements
EVOLVED BY A PITTSBURG EXPERT.
1t Seems That Pittsburg Gets Her Incan-
deScency Very Cheap.
WHY GAS METRES RUN FAST AND SLOW

"All the new customers of the local cleo
trio light company -incandescent-now
come in on the meter basis, remarked .
local electrician yesterday. "Many of the
old customers are having electric meters
put in, believing that they thereby will be
able to save money, as compared with the
old system of charging based upon the
number of lights burned.
'The electric meter now in use was in
vented by a Pittsburger in January last,
and are being manufactured at the
rate of 400 a week and sold in all cities
where there exists an incandescent plant.
large order is being filled for London,
England, and for Brazil. 1t is the first
commercial registering meter ever made
which the consumer can read and under
stand. The system of measurement is very
simple. The standard is the ''ampere, the
amount of electricity burnt BY a 16-candle
power light in an hour. The meter gives
numerals, hundreds and thousands, and
although exceedingly delicate as to mechan-
ism requires no work to keep it in order,
and the agents who turn in and collect bills
cannot possibly make mistake, as the plain
figures are before the eyes of the consumer
all the time.
"The lamp-hours, as the amperes are
called, are so plain that a customer can
economize in consumption to please him
self. Another point is that the electric cur
rent is always even, as is also the registra-
tion of the meter. The local price per
"ampere," or lamp-hour, is mills-the
cheapest price, believe, in the country.
In Baltimore the price is 81 mills, and in
New York and other places where coal is
dear, the price runs from mills 10 cent.
HOW RATES ARE BASED.
''The rates are always based upon the
local price of coal, whatever it may be.
The company prefers the meter system, as it
inculcates the principle of economy and
checks wasteful or careless burning of the
supply. The Edison mechanical meter is
much more cumbersome affair, its measure
ments being made with a system of metal
plates which require a regular laboratory
in connection with each plant, and the ser
vices of an expert electrician to analyze the
bills. The inventor will make a fortune out
of the device on account OF its easy applica-
bility. Yes, the customer must pay for the
meter, but he can easily save its cost In
comparison with the former system.
Referring again to the system of meter
measurement, 1 wonder if consumers of
artificial gas know whv it is that the very
quarter they Lave tondly hattered them
selves they we're careful and economical
in its use the bill has the longest beak. 1t
is very simple matter, indeed, when fully
understood. The gas that is the heaviest in
illuminating properties, i. e., contains the
most hydro-carbon, turns the meter the
slowest. So that the best quality Of gas
registers very slowly in the meter.
Gas companies are not often afflicted
with enlargement of the heart when 1t en-
tails curtailment of the pocket, and the
general method is to turn in a modicum of
air, which not only lightens the gas, but
causes the meter to turn faster,
THUS CATCHING THE CONSUMER,
both on deteriorated gas, but in increased
registration of the meter. This method
works all right until the customer gets up
on his hind legs and kicks. In some cities
the air mixture racket is worked zealously
every alternate quarter"
The Government architect of the United
States building at Buffalo was in Pittsburg
yesterday, and closed a contract With the
Marr Construction Company for the some
what elaborate job of wiring the building
for incandescent light. The same company
is wiring the public building at Reading,
Pa, and the State House at Albany, N. Y.
Among the theaters being wired by the
same company are Daly's, the Casino and
Palmer's of New York City; the Syracuse
Opera House; Harris Academy of Music,
in Baltimore; the Evansville Opera House,
and the Buffalo Opera House. The entire
city of London is also being wired by this
company.