The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-02
IN A STATE OF TRANSITION
REPORT ON HOUSTON ELEcTRiCAI
SITUATION BY An EXPERT.
MEASURES should he Taken 10 Rem
cdy Defective Insulation at
Crossing Points.

G. e. Bruen was sent to Houston
several days ago to examine into and re-
port on the use OF electricity in Houston.
| While the report was prepared for infor-
nation regarding fire insurance, it con-
tains information Of general interest, The
report. as adopted by the National board
of fire underwriters, follows.
| To the National board oil Fire Under
writer's.
Gentlemen: The electrical situation at
Houston is at present in state OF transl-
ton The electric light company. having
lost their plant by ire some time ago,
have contracted with the General Electric
company for thoroughly modern, thr -e.
phase alternating ana series arc equip
ment and have erected a first-class fire.
proof building to contain same the new
plant VIII consist OF two large three
phase 23OO-vot generators, Two Brush
series arc machines Of 260-iight capacity
each and one rotary transformer for sup
plying 500-vclt continuous current for
power
The distributing system is now being
rebuilt in q thoroughly hrst-class manner.
The lines are substantial and wires are
ali well insulated and supported. Trans
formers are placed on poles. The only
Objectionable feature viii he the secondary
distribution system, which is run under
the sidewalk sheds. However. since this
work is being erected in the most sub
stantial manner. wires well insulated and
supported and is only 10 be used for dis
trlbuting llS-volt current, the fire hazard
| from this source need not be considered
| dangerous.
! The trolley wires are not protected ny
guard wires even where. in some places.
/ they are crossed and recrossed by nu-
merous telephone connections, and some
measures should be taken 10 remedy the
defect as promptly as possible.
There IS comparatively little electric
current used in this city. Am informed
that only $500 incandescent lamps ara
connected including those In residences.
which. Tor city OF nearly 10000 inhaO-
itants. Is very small total, This is the
result OF poor service furnished and high
prices charged by the local electric light
company. However when the new plant
is completed assuring good service, and
the company reduce the price OF current to
a reasonable level, it Is probable that an
Immense number OF new lights viii be
promptly wired N.
The wiring now in use is. some OF it.,
nearly up 10 a standard. For the new
work nothing but rubber covered wire is
used. and most of tao other materials AFRO
OF fair quality. The highest insulation
obtainable is necessary, owing to the eX-
IRENE dampness and saline quality OF the
atmosphere, the climate of Houston being
precisely similar 70 that Of Galveston in
this regard. As an illustration. severe
shock was obtained from he 500 volt pow 10
err cireul, through rubber insulation rein
forced 10y a onc-half inch hard rubber
tube Most OF the older work exhibits the
usual defects, though, as above noted,
there is not very much Of such work in
use, The office OF the local street railway
company offers a striking illustration, be
ing lighted by 5o0-volt current taken
from ehe trolley wire Ave lamps in series.
underwriters wire supported by double
pointed tacks and not equipped with cut
out or switch. The 500-volt wiring is oc.
caslonally concealed inside OF buildings;
two fan motors are connected In series;
single lamps are frequently connected from
the mains under the sheds by means Of
lamp cord running into show windows;
fusthic cutouts are seldom covered wires
are often improperly supported. and. in
general, much of this old work is very
detective but since so little of Il Is now
in use and tho individual installations are
small, the fire hazard Is not at present 80
serious, except, perhaps in few special
instances. as that In most OF the other
cities visited
Houston has an excellent city ordinance
governing electric wiring, which went into
effect about year ago, and copy Of the
same will he found enclosed This ord.
nance includes the National code. 1897
edition. and contains clause enabling the
city electrician TO condemn old work II
same is found to he in a condition dan
gerous TO life or property. There is also
provided proper penalty for using wi;iug
which has been so condemned. or which
has not yet been inspected and approved
Mr. Clarence r, George. the present city
electrician. informs rue that II Is his In
tention TO condemn all defective work
rather than allow the electric light COM
pany to connect their new mains to the
same As above noted, the new work now
being put in is nearly up to standard SO
! that II Mr. George is allowed to carry out
his plans regarding the old work the city
VIII soon be IN reasonably safe condi-
ton as regards electric wiring
Realizing that the best means toward
this very desirable end are. probably. such
as are offered by the enforcement OF the
city ordinance, through the agency of the
city electrician, / decided to leave tho
matter in their hands, only endeavorug to
secure for them the moral support OF the
local insurance agents, With this object
in view, | called on each Of the agents
and urged them to do all In their power ia
strengthen the city electricians POSITION
by encouraging healthy public sentiment
in his favor.
| desire to acknowledge the courtesy OF
the city electrician. who gave ME all the
information in his power, and who very
J kindly showed me about the city and
pointed out all the electrical work that |
desired to see.
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