The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-11-29
THE EXPERTS REPORT.
The Condition of the Sumter Electric
Light Plant as Disclosed by the
Examination Of Pro. Riggs,
of Clemson College.

ter Electro AoSaC PieittI <1AA0 OAA eAAS
nuality of.the service rendered, made
by Prof. Riggs, of Clemson College,
at the request of the city council;
Clemson College, S. C. Nov. IS, 1905.
Mr.. w. G. stubbs, Committeeman,
Sumter City Council,
Sumter, S. G..
Ny Dear Sir:
AS per your instructions, I have
made examination into the arc light
ing service furnished the city of Sum-
ter by the Sumter Electric Light and
Ice Compare, under contract dated
February 8, 1899.
This examination consisted Of day
light inspection OF the poles and lines
OF the local company during the af-
terneon Of November 4th, and in the
company of yourself and Mr. Hayns-
worth, a complete tour Of the town
between the hours Of and 8 a. m.
on the morning of November 5th.
also made an inspection Of the plant
at about a. M, and took certain
readings of instruments in the station,
and made certain tests between $3.50
and 4 a. m based upon these investi-
cations, I beg to make the followins,,
report:
Observations.
Cd The poles and lines Of the
company are generally in good condi-
ton. In a few places the insulation;
has been removed or has rotted away
from the line wires, but in my judg-
ment this in no way impairs the eff
feiency of the service. At several
points the foliage Of trees through
which the line wires pass needs trim
ming away to avoid possibility Of
grounding the circuit.
Taking it all in all the transmission
is above the average for a line that
has been in use tor g number Of years,
and it is, think, thoroughly service
able, and in no way Irresponsible for
any unsatisfactory service charged
against the local company.
(2.) The lamps westinghouse Flat
Carbon Type} belong to an antedelu-
Wan period Of electric arc lighting.
They are, so far as I am aware, no
longer manufactured. The mechan-
ism OF these lamps, Judged from
samples shown me at the station) is
of the clock work type, and is compli-
Gated and imperfect. I seriously
doubt that if lamps thus equipped
could, even with the best Of care, be
made to feed uniformly and give
satisfactory service. However, hav-
ing had no experience with this par
ticular style of lamp, this, my opin>
ion, should be regarded as conjecture,
to be proved or disproved by the OBJ
servation OF your citizens.
(s.) OF the At lamps installed, five
We're not burning at the time Of our
visit to them. These were located as
follows:
3 Corner Washington and Calhoun
streets.
Corner Washington and Hampton
streets
Corner Bartlett and Council streets.
Corner Oakland avenue and Main
street.
On Railroad avenue, at Manning
street.
This fatality amounting to over 10
per cent. is an indication Of faulty or
worn out lamp mechanism.
The lights that were burning gave
a fairly good light, although it was my
impression that they were not up to
their nominal rating of 1000 c. P.
(4). The system has no means of
automatic regulation-the arc circuit
being supplied direct from constant
potential, Westinghouse, single phase
generator. Hand manipulation OF a
rheostat is depended upon to maintain
a constant current in the lighting
circuit The current at time of obser-
vation-read on the conpany's switch
board ammeter-was s.5 amperes.
(5.) A test made on lamp in the
station showed at S.5 amperes, very
approximately 40 volts at the arc.
This value fiuctuated between 81 and
AZ. The voltage at lamp terminals
was about 46 volts.
Deductions:
90. A nominal 1000 c. P. lamp"
is defined as an open arc consuming
not less than $50 watts, and taking
from SO to 10 amperes depending ur-
on the adjustment of the lamp. On
the night Of my visit, the lights in
your streets were served with but S.S
amperes, OF II per cent. below the
minimum current required for nom