The Washington times., 1902-08-12
Electrical Engineer Rec
OnnmendS Several Inn
portant Changes.
SIGNAL SERVICE BOTHERED
Complaint to District Authorities From
Fort Myer Results in Prompt Action
Potomac Power Company to Be Re
quired to Make Changes.

Mr.. Walter c. Allen, Electrical En-
gineer of the District. has forwarded
to the Commissioners a report in regard
10 the electric cables which are To-
Gated on the Acueduct Bridge.
Some time ago the Commissioners re-
ceived a communication from the acting
chief signal officer of the army, in
closing complaint from the property
officer of the Signal Corps stationed at
Fort Myer, Va, to the effect that some
thing was wrong with the wires on the
Aqueduct Bridge, causing trouble be-
tween Fort Myer and the city cOnnec
tion OF that post with the Western
Union Telegraph Company. The COM
plant was referred to the Electrical
Engineer who, after examination. has
made the following report TO the Com
missioners:
Electrical Engineers Report.
THE Potomac Electric Power Com
pany made application May % to re-
place their alternating cables on said
bridge, which involved the tearing up
of the planks in order to do the work.
The matter was referred to the engineer
OF bridges. and by him referred back
TO this department, with the statement
that he did not approve Of the location
of the cables, involving the constant re-
moyal OF the planks in order to replace
them. After carefully considering the
after and following out the sugges-
tions made by the engineer of bridges,
l recommended that a permit be grant
ed, on condition that the cables be plac-
ed outside of the trusses, and that
they be lead covered. The permit was
taken out by the company, but. as l
am informed verbally. they did not take
advantage of the permission, as it con-
tanned restrictions which they thought
they ought not to comply with.
Since that time we have made a
careful examination of the wires on the
bridge and have made several tests
which indicated that they are in dan
gerous condition, both electrically and
mechanically. The inclosed report of
Inspector Bleo, dated the 4th inst.
covers the case very fairly. At my re-
quest he has also drawn up plan show
ing the cables 10 the outside of the
trusses.
Changes Recommended.
In view Of the fact that the en-
gineer of bridges does not approve of
the cables in their present location, and
also because they are in such bad con- |
dition, l would recommend that the Po-
tomac Electric Power Company be re-
quired to make the following changes:
First. All cables, both for alternat-
ing and direct currents, must be lead
covered.
Second. That the lead covering of
all direct current cables should be care
bully bonded together. and further,
bonded in at least three places TO the
ironwork of the bridge
Third That the copper conductor of
the negative railway cable should be
bonded 10 the lead covering of the other
cables
Fourth. The alternating current
primary cables running to the trans
former on the bridge must be carefully
insulated and transposed in at least one
place. These cables should not be bond
ed to the other cables on the bridge.
Fifth. The alternating current Sec
ondary circuit should be thoroughly
grounded to the ironwort OF the bridge
Sixth. The transformer must be in
sulated from the ironwork Of the bridge
and securely suspended therefrom
Seventh. All the cables should be
placed on racks composed exclusively of
iron, with porcelain or glass insulators
securely fastened to the trusses AID
outside OF them. in the manner shown