New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-20
WIRES AND THEIR DANGER.
SOME TALKS ABOUT THE RISKS FROM ELEc
TRIO LIGHTS.
OPINIONS EXPRESSED by EXPERIENCED MEN
INTERESTED IN THE VARIOUS BRANCHES
OF THE sUBJEcT-How 1T AFFECTS IN
suRANcE COMPANIES.

INTERESTED IN THE VARIOUS BRANCHES
OF THE sUBJEcT-How 1T AFFECTS IN
sURANCE COMPANIES.
inc rapid spread of the system Of electric light
ing' and Its adaptation to the needs Of small houses
as we'll as great, have resulted In IT'S Introduction
into many dwellings, hotels and public buildings In
ihis and other cities. While no one disputes tho
convenience of tho electric light, and while every
one comedies that It possesses many advantages over
gas, 1t Is stIll an interesting question whether its
adoption has not increased the danger Of fire. Those
who have any knowledge Of electricity are aware
mat IL It's uses are many IT'S peris arc also many,
ana that fro may result from defective Insulation,
the crossing OF wires and the formation Of short
circuits II must DO said, however, that there Is
marked diversity Of opinion Of the risk by those
who use tho electric light. Some exports strong
IN the belief that the danger OF FIRE Is greatly In
creased by IT, Others are OF tho opinion that It's
dangers are much exaggerated. They hold that the
precautions dictated by prudence OF required by law
are quito sufficient and that whom duo attention Is
given to the work and proper insulation secured
there is no danger. and indeed, not SO much in
electric lighting as in lighting by gas.
In order TO gain some knowledge on the subject
from those whose opinions wero worth telling q
Tribune reporter tho other day called number
of electrical experts officials Of the fire department
and insurance men,
AMONG FIXTURE MEN AND ELECTRICIANS.
Tho first visited was tho superintendent Of
OF the largest factories OF gas and electric light
fixtures in the city, whose practical and theoretical
knowledge Of the subject give HIS opinions unusual
weight a. wish 10 Introduce my remarks" he said,
with the general statement that proper Insulation
and careful work will obviatc tho danger almost en-
trely but without this the electric light Is undoubtedly
the source Of fro and In various ways BY the abra-
sion Of wires in tho building itself or by circuit
caused by the wire coming in contact with either
a gas Pipe or a water pipe fro can BIO started In
tho walls OF a house which might mako considerable
Roadway before being discovered For instance, II
nail is driven into wire in the basement, and second
nail pierce tho opposite wiro on the third story,
a short circuit might be formed which would result
a stated.
"That reminds mo that few OF either the electricians
or tho laymen realize tho fact thar, IN order properly
to govern tho agent which they are handling, at
tenton must be paid to the minute details. To
illustrate: connection made by means OF screw or
binding post 1t is technically called, unless screwed
tightly and fully binding upon the wire, would cause
an arc and heating OF tho wires II this surplus heat
and resistance TO tho current are not promptly taken
up by the device called 'cut-out' or safety plug
a fro will result
Another sourcs Of danger, and one which have
known to cause at least ono rc the east side Of the
town, Is where unused wires on building have not
been properly insulated at the point OF exit Coming
close together they formed arc and set IRE to the
woodwork Particular should DO taken to insu-
late the at tho point OF entrance TO the building
because II tho wires exposed at or near the point
where they enter the room a heavy rain or dripping
water falling upon the space between two wires,
would again cause an arc which r. always tho source
OF great danger have also known much tronolo 10
occur when the light current was used, by means
OF converter, TO supply lncandescent lamps. The
danger increased by the possibility OF ono wlro fali
Ing upon another outside OF and perhaps at some dis
tanee from the building, which csn be troublesome at
the weak points inside OF the building. The same
general laws apply 10 fixtures placed to convey tho
wires to tho lamps. There should DO generous wire
way so that the wires will be IN dangr Of being
abraded or severed
All connections should DO carefully soldered and
tapped. Where this is not possible, and binding
posts us.L they should DO firmly screwed down
al fixtures should be provided with cut-outs or
safety plugs sufficiently sensitive to any trouble caused
within the fixture or at the socket or in the lamp
II tho fixtures are attached the gas pipe ihoy should
DO carefully insulated from the gas system. This
f. equally true whore the fixtures connected with
the ronwork OF building, as unless this precautlon
f. talrn arcs arc certain result and consequently
fires. great field for Inventors Is opon to devise a
way Of running electric wires into houses which viii
DO as safe gas pipes. There Is at present constant
danger OF injury 10 Tho wires inside OF plasiered walls
and ceilings"
INCIDENTS RELATED ny AN ELECTRICIAN.
Said the electrician Of Of the prominent Broad
way firms: Nine Of ten OF the iros which arise
from tho electric lights due TO defective insulation
or hurried work Not great while since there was
c fire IN the Union Club House, tho result OF
poor insulation probably caused through dampness In
the walls. | know Of another which was caused by
a rat eating or the insulation from The wire. Tho
circuit was then formed with the Waterman, and
81 tlo G.a In, larir an
under ground and covered with rubber compound
There is peculiar little Insect there which lives upon
this rubber When the injury was FIRST noticed II
supposed that decomposition had set H. Bnt
examination Of tho stomach OF the Insect showed par
cles OF undlgcsed rubber, which clearly proved the
cause Of the defective Insulation. number OF fires
resulted In consequence. Temporary connection was
made between the electric light wire and telegraph
wire, firing tho boxes In The Office.
at IS difficult problem, OF course, TO provide
against such accidents but perfect insulation would do
A few years ago, In the putting OF an lncandes-
cent lamp upon chandelier, the wire became heated,
setting fire to the insulation which was of nlam.
abb characteas, OF course, ~ should not be-because
OF a short circuit in the lampholdcr, and tho flame
reached the ceiling. Fortunately no damage occurred
further than scorchlng tho moulding OF the ceiling.
Such accidents do not so easily now, because Of
tho improved appliances. Switches or rosettes OF
porcelain made TO prevent this
ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND LIGHTNING.
Some people think that the presence OF eocrc light
wires in a house Is conducive to hfe because
of a supposed attracting power for lightning This,
however is not tho case as there Is no affinity be-
tween an electric current and discharge OF lightning
From this there is little danger. There Is one thing
needed and that is absolutely hre'reslsng cover
Ing for Insulation We have not reached perfection
I'm this direction and there is great Held open to In
ventors. All ordinary observers will notice along tho
avenues shreds or rags hanging from tho overhead
wires, exposing the bare metal This might easily
form an opportunity for cross connection with other
wires or grounded fixture and DO dangerous to life
or property In the noighborhood.
1t the place of the electrical contractor to SEQ
that boltheads or nails or other eintallc sub
stances which might possibly lead to false contact
arc present / recall instance where servant
girl felt electric shock when turning on tho water
Upon investigation, IL was found that dampness had