The times., 1897-11-08

being operated morning and evening. An
indicator near the switch shows which
meter is in circuit, small needle, or
pointer being turned when the switch
is thrown TO rest On the word day or
might The indicator generally used,
however consists cf two small incan-
descent lamps which illuminate trans
lucent panels having words and numbers
denuting the difference in charges at diff
feremt periods of-the day, such as %
cents per kilowatt hour OF one and u o
cents per kllowatt hour On the other.
At the morning operation OF tie switch
at the central station every day rate
meter on the system is switched in and
ali the might rate" meters are cut out
In the evening the operation IS the re-
verse. The entire action OF the switch
lasts Only second, or at the most two
seconds, each time. oncfor,ieth part II
an amperc for each controller is all that
is required, aud although the current is
taken from the mains for tie Controlling
circuit, SO little is needed that 1t has been
shown that tie control of a single pair
OF motors would require less than one
cents worth OF the current for twenty
years use, operated twice a day.
The sinsle wire used for the control
circuit which comprises every pom, where
meters are placed for registering both
rates, is about No. / 4, B. and s. sauge,
50 that the cost OF Installation is quiss.
small. This size OF wire will be sufficient
for a large number Of such outlying stst
tions, and It i only when the number
becomes very great that any increase
in size is necessary.
United States Electric Light Company
and is now in use upon partof its sySteLi
with most gratif yiHg results. 1t has
been found that the current can be sub-
stituted for steam power and for gas
used Al cooking stoves at less cost than
is required FOR the power and fuel before
UsCd. IN refrigeration and cold storage
ii remarkable economy has been accom-
plshed, large refrigeratoTs being pro-
vided witl, perpetual lining of solid ice
Of three To five inches in thickness. which
is constantly maintained at an expense
to the custonler which is below the cost
of tho ice previously furnished him.
1t avoids, also, all the inconvenience
OF clearing ont the ice box, and the water
leaking fson the same The temperature
maintained is considerably below that
produced By fee IN the block, as preyl-
ously used; and as the whole interior Of the
cold storage space i lined with solid ice
OF some inches in thickness, it is not diff
cult to freeze various substances without
the Use IF salt packed with fine ic=
Probably Nc better object lesson OF simple
kind cah be given to show the grea3
superiority anC economy which have been
effected liy tile introduction Of the methoa
described above.
TIE Introduction OF this new invention
makes new era IN the use of electric
energy. Heretofore 1t eas been the priyIe e
CT tEOsc having ample cans to avail then-
selves OF the manifold benefits derived
fTntn this source. Ii is under present
conditions the promise OF the near future
that these luNuries shall te brought within
the reach OF all. even those of moderate
means.
Heating aud cooking, both Of Which are
capable or tie moss accurate control, can
row be Generally adopted. and the almost
infinite variety Z uses TO which the current
can be easily adapted will lead TO new
and rapid advances in the art and 10
large Improvements in the apparatus neees-
sary. Tie mventor has supplied want
which was felt more kcealy every lay. ana
upon meeting which the future OF the
generating companies largely depended. 1t
is safe to say that had no means been
found by Which these companies could
largely -ed1ce the cost 10 customers the
future Of tins great industry would have
been most seriously handicapped.