The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-01-13
TO MAKE TEST
OF METERS
Continued from Page -

per month per lamp, 80 cents; for all
over five lamps, per month, per lamp
60 cents, etc.
These rates are those which we al
ways put into force when we are asked
to make an estimate for fiat rate.
Sometimes there are rates made where
the number of lights is plainly in eX-
cess of the usual number burned by the
occupant of the house, but this is the
schedule which goes into effect when
we give the fiat rate upon a demand
for such service. OF course we con-
stantly find demands for a change.
/ Thus there are some users of the cleo
trio lights who, finding that they use
more light in the winter season want
to have the current served to them
during that time upon the basis of the
fiat rate. When the summer comes
they see that their lights are not
burning so long and then they ask for
the meter. That is not fair TO the COM
pany, for the rate was based upon the
average yearly consumption. We be-
refuse to agree to such conditions, as
the user should not have all the ad-
vantage which comes from the two
systems in use.
We have a man who goes about and
tests the meters, making his visits
often when he has the man of the
house at hand, in the evening with the
house lighted as 1t is usually. Thus the
user sees just what difference is made
by the burning of the entire number
OF lights in the house and what may be
saved by the using of a smaller num-
Der. 1 believe that much of the objec-
ton to light bills is based upon mis-
taken ideas of the totals paid by the
user. Thus for instance l have had a
complaint from a man whose bill for
the past month showed quite an in
crease over the preceding one. He at
once declared all was wrong and that
he was in every kind of a fighting
mood. / at once went over his bills
and found that he had. with the bill
in question, been charged about SIS for |
the years lights. He mentioned fiat |
rates which he said would be less and !.
yet by computing the lights of his |
house L found that had he been charg-
pay total of more than S125. Thus he
had a saving of about $3S, by the use of
the meter, but he would not consider
this phase of the question at all He
had made his charge of unfairness and
seemed to be in a mood to stick to it.
I'VE are putting in the very latest
meters when we get to that branch of
our work, and the results of the
changes are often interesting. Thus we
have found upon making tests that the
meters which have been taken out Of
houses are clogged up by dust or in
sects being in them until they are run
ming slow, and the company is losing
what it should have. The greatest loss
was in one meter where the efficiency
vas only 60 per cent. OF course there
was objection when the next bill went
n to the user in that case, but we
Gould not see it. We are making every
Effort to get to the standard and will
nave our lines and service in good
shape when all the improvements
which are under way are completed"
Electric meters" said an expert
Who has been in the city a short time
md has taken note of the controversy :
ver lights here, ARE not on the whole :
bsolutely accurate. They are very
lose to it when they are set and reg <
Hated, but it is recognized that they (
re fragile affairs at best. The results !
f disarrangement are usually about (
quail as to the effect upon the work
lgs; that is, where one may be faster !
he other will be slower. In its lists (
he Westinghouse company says of its
1eter that it is so finely adjusted that
is not necessary to make any allow I
nee for friction. The shaft and disk )
reigh only five ounces and the shaft is 4
ct in jewel bearings. OF course there I
dust which gets in and clogs the ,
earrings and the meter is slow, or does 4
OF register all the electricity which
asses through it. J
But this very fine adjustment has =
mother effect often. Thus the Earring
the meter will often change the
elds which have been adjusted for the
articular service and the very slight
st movement of these fields means a
hange in the meters registra ton.
hen again it may be that the meter
not level and there you have
nance for a difference in its action. In
act. a meter is like a finely adjusted
lock which you put up and leave do
lg excellently now and return to find
nat any one of very many causes may
ave set it off its center.
Last it is not unlikely that a Watt
leter may be running without any
urrent passing through it at all. Tiers a
sent through the motor of the meter r
current taken from the same wires 4
s the supply, but which is of use only
the running of the meter. So fine is q
lie adjustment that a slight disar- ,
ingement often makes it possible for
lie meter to run with its own poten-
al In fact, this is the very first test I
ade when meter is to be looked
Ito. The lights are shut off and the |;
eter noted, and then after a time the I
-ct is made known whether or not the ]
eter is registering when the current !
seen to be off. Then the meter is I
ken down for the other tests
The adjustment, too, has something
do with it ALL for if there is an adj
stment for twenty lights and only 4