The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-22
HIDDEN DANGER.
Imperfect Insulation of the
Electric Wires.
WARNING FROM AN EXPERT.
Underwriters VIII Cancel Risks ON Badly
Wired Buiidings-Bad Wires
and Good.

The subject OF the proper insulation of
electric wires is attracting much attention
among fire insurance men.
The members of the New England In
surance Exchange are now on q tour of the
country looking into the observance of the
rules OF the board of underwriters, and are
now in ST. Paul on their way TO the Coast.
Mr.. Banton, manager of this body, stated
TO Seattle electrician last spring that the
subject OF imperfect insulation was being
underwriters would cancel all risks on
buildings where the rules in regard to in
suIation OF wires were disregardcd.
The electrician quoted, who is connected
with one of the large New Y ork electrical
supply companies, said on this subject:
IAN inferior grade of wire is almost uni
versally used in Seattle, and there are few
buildings in which good wire was used and
good work done. In most OF them
.weather-proof' wire was used, and that
simply has covering OK cotton soaked in
asphaltum or other similar compounds.
The insulation is very thin, and the current
will escape in case of moisture or dampness
reaching the wire. When leak has once
occurred il will enlarge until the current
forms an arc. which viii set fire TO any
thing with which it comes in contact
This wire is only intended for outdoor
work
Underwriters wire is even worse than
weather-proof as regards insulation, but is
used to quite an extent in residences and
business blocks in this city. The insuia-
ton consists solely OF cotton braiding
painted with white lead. This was the
first insulated wire made, and the under
takers rules now strictly prohibit its use.
except in exposed work. and distinctly
say that when used it shall be handled as
bare wire. and the insulation not be relied
on in the least. Some large buildings in
Seattle are wired with it; it is concealed,
and what is still worse, il is laid right in
the plaster
"The grades of wire for concealed work
authorized by the underwriters. are the
Grimshaw. the Okonite, Edison's three
grade. Edison's machine works solid rub
Der cloth, the Habershzw aud the Clark,
all of which have high-grade, solid rubber
insulation. braided over.
"a good deal of wiring has also been
done here without soldering the joints and
the consequence is that the wires work
apart and create high resistance at the
joints. which heats the wires and causes
danger of fire.
Considerable wiring has been done by
men OF no experience. especially since the
fire. There being large amount of wiring
in demand. everybody who had ever hung
bell went to work wiring buildings, and I
don't suppose one in ten knew how to cal
culate the size of wire. They began cut
ting prices and some of them are doing
work as low as IS cents an outlet ian outlet
being the point where the wire comes
through the ceiIing). and satisfactory work
can't be done for less than $3.50.
II don't say that any recent fires have
been due to electric wires, but great risks
are being run. such as no insurance man
will sanction"