The Washington critic., 1890-02-01
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
OEFInR OF TINE 2EnDEtr.nx- -

w ASHlNGTON, ~. C.s Oct ~, 1888.
SIR: Referring to the subject contained
in the accompanying papers, submitted by
you for my consideration and herewith
respectfully returned, viz, communica-
tion from the president of the Edison
Electric Light Company of New York, and
report of tests made by Harold p Brown,
electrical engineer of that city, relative to
the dangerous character of alternating
currents, etc., the above having reference
to the electric lighting system now in use in
the Senate wing of the Capitol, the system
referred to is that known as the westing-
house, alternating with primary voltage
of 1000 volts, reduced in ''converters'i and
distributed at about fifty volts.
The transference of the high-tension cur
rent to the distributing service, through
any accidental short circuiting in the ''con-
verter," or etherwise, would seriously i'm
peril human life.
Regarding the deadliness of the alterna-
ting as compared with the ''constant' cur
rent, the report of Mr.. Brown, from HIS
standing and that Of his associates is de-
serving of the fullest credence.
The danger to be apprehended In the use
OF The system referred to is, however, eX-
tremely remote. The conyerters are not
exposed to unusual dampness, and the sys-
TEN carefully installed. The immunity
from harm is a matter of insulation and
thorough installation by the contractors or
owners, intelligence and carefulness on the
part OF those connected with the plant and
the absence of disposition to meddle by
those not connected Herewith.
Given the above conditions and such
plant is as safe as any of the various forms
OF energy at high potential, but which it is
absolutely impossible to remove from such
risks as are iDseparable from human man
agement thereof.
Very respectfully,
j. E. POWELL,
Inspector Electric Light Plants, ETC., Treas
ury Department.
EDWARD CLARK, Esq,
Architect OF the United States Capitol,
Washington, d. G.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. %, 1855.
SIR: Acting under your instructions /
have made cursory examination of the in
eandescent electric lighting apparatus in
the Senate wing of the Capitol building
Tor the purpose of gaining information
which would enable me to answer your
question whether in my opinion ''there is
any danger attending the use of the APP
paratus."
This examination has led me to the con-
clusion that there is danger in such use.
The engineer in charge of the lighting
plant very politely acceded to your request
to explain its workings to me, and Mr..
Jones, the Senate engineer, showed me over
lhO iOhlSo VI eip MHCb, OAplulutu lubA
construction, etc. The former stated that
each of the two dynamos, when running
under normal conditions, develops a cur
rent of one thousand volts. At the time OF
my visit, when comparatively small num-
Der OF lamps were In use, the current guam
tity was fifteen and one-half amperes. /
believe a current of such power is liable to
cause the death of person subjected to
its effects.
The current from the dynamo is carried
through system of wires to large num-
Der OF converters, located In various places
IN the basement OF the building and In the
space over the ceiling of the Senate Cham
Ter. These converters, and much of the
wire leading to them, are placed where
there must necessarily be a great deal of
work OF various kinds done, and | think
that the risk that workmen employed IN