Improvements in and relating to Switches and Switch Con- nections for Electric Circuits.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, cenu Jan., 1009
Complete Specification Left, 17th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 23rd Nov.,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Switches and Switch Con-
nections for Electric Circuits.
We, WILLIAM LOWRIE, Engineer, and CHARLES JAMES HALL., Electrician, both of
117, Bishopsgate Street Within, in the City of London, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to switches and switch connections, especially intended for
high potential currents of electricity, whereby such currents may be switched from
one circuit to another, or two or more currents combined and directed in any desired
manner, with rapidity and safety.
We mount four straight terminals upon bosses of earthenware or other non-
conductor bolted to a slab of slute, or other non-conducting material. The front
earthenware bosses are deeper than the projection of the terminals from the face of
the slate, to protect the terminals from dust, dirt and the like, and to prevent
accidental contact. The entrance orifice of these front bosses are funnel shaped, in
order to guide the plugs to their respective seats in or upon the terminals. The back
ends of the latter protrude through the back earthenware bosses, to which they are
secured, and the terminals are formed to receive and bind the circuit conductors.
This arrangement of four terminals, upon their base, we terni a terminal base.
The
Upon a similar, but smaller, base of non-conducting material, we also secure four
plugs corresponding in position to the aforesaid terminals. In the centre, we mount
a wooden, or other insulated, handle provided with a stop to limit the insertion of the
plugs within the terminals. A strip of copper electrically connects each pair of
plugs; and we call the base, with its handle and four plugs, a plug hase.
combined four terminal base, and four plug base, we call a unit switch block.
The arrangement of the plugs, and that of their corresponding terminals, is that of
a rectangle; nearly square in dimensions. This is to prevent the plug base being
inserted wrongly in the terminal base to make vertical connections (for example)
instead of horizontal ones. The smoothing iron form of the handle also serves to
indicate the position in which the plug base should be held in switching; so that
by the rectangular form, and arrangement of the circuits, it is impossible to plug the
wrong terminals in a unit switch block.
We may use levers for switching, instead of handles.
The terminals are preferably made in the form of a split tube, to make spring contact
upon the exterior surface of solid plugs; but this arrangement, with that of the
funnel shaped earthenware guides, may be reversed.
We also combine four or more unit switch blocks upon any suitable support,
preferably in the form of a square. Upon one side of the square we connect the unit
switch blocks to two or more generators, and upon a side at right angles to the first.
we connect to the working or outer circuits. In the respective circuits named are
placed safety fuses, and the arrangement is such that one pole of a dynamo machine
is connected to one terminal of a unit switch block, while the other pole is connected
to the diagonally placed terminal of the same switch block. Similarly, each pole of
the outer circuit is electrically connected to the remaining two terminals of the same
block; and, as above named, at right angles to the generator connections.
Provision is made by grooves at the back of each unit switch block, to extend all
the electrical connections to the adjoining unit blocks, in the same symmetrical
manner. Therefore, when four unit blocks are combined together as a square, with
connections from two dynamos on one side, and connections to two working circuits
at right angles thereto, the whole of the current from the two generators can be

page_text: conducted into one of the working circuits; or, the current from one machine led
into one circuit while the other machine is supplying the other circuit; or, one
circuit is fed by both machines, while the other circuit draws its supply from one
machine only; or, finally, both circuits may be fed by both generators, according to
the number and arrangement of the plug bases engaged with their respective terminal
bases.
Thus, any number of generators and circuits can be electrically connected by
adding the requisite number of unit switch blocks, in the manner indicated.
Furthermore, we usually mount an incandescent or glow-lamp beside the unit switch
blocks and place the same in a circuit between, and comprising, a coil of each
armature of two alternating current generating dynamo machines. When it is
desired to couple together the said machines for supplying the circuits, as already
described, the two machines are run as nearly as possible at the same speed, and when
their phases synchronize (as indicated by the lamp); they are switched together by
the plugging of the corresponding switch terminal base.
Dated this 21st day of January 1889.
FAIRFAX & WETTER.
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Switches and Switch Con-
nections for Electric Current Circuits.
We, WILLIAM LOWRIE, Engineer, and CHARLES JAMES HALL, Electrician, both of
117, Bishopsgate Street Within, in the City of London, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Our invention relates to switches and switch connections, especially intended for
high potential currents of electricity, whereby such currents may be switched from
one circuit to another, or two or more currents combined and directed in any desired
manner, with rapidity and safety.
In the drawings accompanying this specification, Fig. 1 is a vertical section
through a unit switch block across two terminals, and their plugs. Fig. 2 is a plan
of the same with a portion of the plug base broken away to expose the openings to
the two terminals beneath. Fig. 3 is a general plan of a switch board carrying upon
it four unit switch blocks, eight safety fuse boxes, circuit connections, and a means
for switching or coupling together, two alternating current generators; combined
with a glow-lamp for indicating the phases of the said generators. Fig. 4 is a
vertical section through Fig. 3; and Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are diagrams indicating
several methods of establishing electrical communication between the working circuits
and two current generating dynamo machines by means of the unit switch blocks and
their connections aforesaid.
We mount four straight split tube terminals a, a, upon earthenware bosses b. b, by
bolting them to a slab of slate c, in the manner shown by Fig. 1.
The terminals a, a,
project through large holes pierced in the slate, and are enclosed and protected from
accidental contact by funnel mouthed earthenware bosses d, d, secured to the opposite
side of the slab by the bolt of the bosses b, b. The terminals a, a pass through the
bosses b, b, at their back end, and are there formed to receive and bind the circuit
connections, leaving the front, or contact making side, entirely free of the cables
employed. The front bosses d, d, are formed with a cylindrical orifice, for about one
half their depth, slightly larger than the outer diameter of the terminals a, a, but the
lower part of the funnel mouth entering this orifice is somewhat smaller, thus forming
an over-hanging lip protecting the end of the terminals, and just allowing the free
entrance of the plug. The ends of the terminals a, therefor, are protected from dust,
dirt, or accidental contact, while the plugs are guided centrally into their seats by the

page_text: funnel mouthed bosses d, d. The four terminals a, bosses b, and d, mounted upon the
slate slab c, comprise a terminal base, arranged as shown by Fig. 2.
Upon a similar, but smaller, base of non-conducting material e, we also secure four
metallic plugs f. f, in a corresponding position to the aforesaid terminals a, and
adapted to make good sliding contact therein. In the central part of the base we also
mount a wooden or other insulated handle g, with a stop gl, adapted to limit the depth
of insertion of the plugs in their respective terminals. A strip of copper, h,
electrically connects each pair of plugs parallel to the handle g; and the base e, with
its handle g, and four plugs f, f, comprise a plug base. The combined four terminal
base, and four plug base, we call a unit switch block.
The arrangement of the plugs, and that of their corresponding terminals, is in the
form of a rectangle; nearly square in dimensions, as shown in Fig. 2. This is to
prevent the insertion of the plugs in the wrong terminals, and the form of the
handle 9, also serves to indicate the position in which the plug base should be held in
the act of switching. It will be seen, therefore, that by the rectangular arrangement
of the plugs and terminals, and the electrical connection between each pair of plugs,
as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, it is impossible to make vertical connections
(for instance) instead of horizontal ones, because the plugs will not enter the funnel
mouthed entrances to the terminals. It will be understood, also, that we may employ
levers for switching in and out of the plugs, instead of the handles shown, if more
convenient.
The terminals are preferably made of gun metal in the form of a split tube, to make
close sliding spring contact upon the exterior surface of solid plugs, when the latter
are inserted; but the reverse arrangement of solid terminals and sliding sleeves upon
the plug base may be used, with any required modification of the funnel mouthed
earthenware guides.
We also combine four or more unit switch blocks, upon a suitable support, pre-
ferably in the form of a square, although a number of such unit blocks may be
arranged as a long rectangle. In Fig. 3 four terminal bases A, A, are shown, in two
of which plug bases B, B, are shown as inserted in position. These occupy one
quarter division of a square switch board or support, and in two other similar
divisions diagonally opposite, safety fuses are shown in their boxes C, C. These are
of the kind described and shown in the specification accompanying our application
for Letters Patent, dated 21st of January 1889, and No. 1102; although other
suitable arrangements of the kind may be used. In the fourth quarter of the
square D, is shown an arrangement of a glow-lamp, placed in a circuit comprising a
coil of each armature of two alternating current generating dynamo machines, and a
switch j. When it is desired to couple together the said two current generators for
supplying any of the circuits described hereinafter, the two machines are run as nearly
as possible at the same speed, and when their phases synchronize (as indicated by the
lamp in the known manner) they are switched together by the plugging of the
corresponding switch terminal base.
Upon one side of the square, we connect the unit, or terminal switch blocks to two
or more alternating current generating dynamo machines k, k, and upon a side at
right angles to this we connect the said terminals with the working or outer
circuits, 1. These respective circuit connections pass through the safety fuses (', C,
as aforesaid, making connection with the terminals of each unit block at diagonal
corners; so that one pole of a dynamo machine is connected to one terminal of a unit
block, and the other pole of the same machine is connected to the diagonally placed
terminal of the same switch block, as indicated by the dotted lines A, A. Similarly,
each pole of the outer circuit, 1, 1, is electrically connected to the remaining two
terminals of the same block, at right angles to the generator connections, as indicated
by the dotted lines /', 11.
Provision is made by spaces or grooves at the back of each switch block (as
indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, and by the section, Fig. 4,) to extend all the
electrical connections to the adjoining unit blocks, in the same symmetrical manner.

page_text: Therefore, when four unit blocks are combined together as a square with connections
on one side of the square to two dynamos, and, at right angles thereto, with two
working circuits, the two generators are each capable of supplying an independent
working circuit (as shown in Fig. 3); or by plugging two unit blocks in line with
one of the working circuits, the two generators are supplying their whole current to
the said working circuit; or by plugging a third unit block, the two generators are
supplying current to one circuit, while the other circuit is fed from one of the said
generators only; or, finally, by using a fourth plug base, both machines
available for supplying current to both circuits; according to the demand upon the
same.
are
Thus, any number of generators, and working circuits, can be electrically connected
together by adding the requisite number of unit switch blocks, in the manner
indicated. In Fig. 5, we show by diagram, two generators k, k, each supplying three
independent working circuits . ; in Fig. 6 is similarly shown two generators
feeding into one working circuit, while two other circuits are supplied by one of the
generators. In Fig. 7, we likewise show in diagram, one machine supplying current
to the whole of the six working circuits; the other generator standing idle. The
terminals of the unit switch blocks are indicated throughout these diagrams by small
circles a, a, the plug bases in position by B, the current generating machines by K:
the electrical connections between the latter and the terminals a, by the lines ¹, k¹;
each outer or working circuit by 1; and the circuit connections between the same and
the terminals a, a, by the lines l¹, 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tiou, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. A unit switch block for electric currents, constructed and arranged substantially
as shown and described.
2. The combination of four plugs, electrically connected in two pairs, mounted in a
rectangular manner upon a non-conducting base, with a handle secured to the said
base and carrying therewith a non-conducting or insulated stop; substantially as
shown and described.
3. A base having four terminals mounted thereon in a rectangular manner with a
non-conducting funnel mouthed guide and protector surrounding and extending
beyond the contact making end of each terminal; substantially as shown and
described.
4. The combination of a split tube terminal mounted upon an earthenware base and
adapted at the back end thereof to receive and bind circuit connections, an earthen-
ware front piece having a tapering entrance mouth enclosing the front end of said
terminal and a projecting lip adapted to admit the contact making plug but slightly
smaller than the exterior of the terminal, and a non-conducting slab between the said
earthenware pieces and to which they are bolted; substantially as described.
a
5. In combination, four terminals mounted in the form of a rectangle upon
support, each terminal being arranged and adapted for contact making at one end,
and removeable from its support without disturbing the remainder at the other end;
substantially as described.
6. The combination of two or more unit switch blocks, each having four terminals
arranged in a rectangular manner, with connections to the two poles of a generator
from two diagonally placed terminals of each block on one face thereof, and at right
angles thereto, similar connections to a working circuit from the two other terminals;
substantially as described.
7. The combination of a rectangular arranged four terminal base each terminal
having tapering guides, with a corresponding rectangular four plug base provided
with a handle, whereby electrical contact may be made correctly and simultaneously
between the said plugs and terminals substantially as described.
8. The combination of an indicating glow-lamp placed in a circuit comprising two

page_text: armature coils of two respective alternating current generating machines with two or
more unit switch blocks having electrical connections with the said circuit,substantially
as and for the purpose described.
9. The combination of two or more alternating current generating machines with
two or more working circuits electrically connected through unit switch blocks,
substantially in the manner described and shown by the diagrams Figs. 5, 6, and 7.
Dated this 16th day of October 1889.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicants.