IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS, AND IN Apparatus FOR CONTROLLING AND INDICATING THE ELECTRICITY CONVEYED BY THEM
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS, AND IN Apparatus
FOR CONTROLLING AND INDICATING THE ELECTRICITY CONVEYED BY THEM."
A communication from abroad by Thomas Alva Edison, of Menlo Park,
Now Jersey, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Griffith Brewer
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th August 1881.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRIC CON-
DUCTORS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND INDICATING THE ELECTRICITY
CONVEYED BY THEM." A communication from abroad by Thomas Alva Edison, of
Menlo Park, New, Jersey, United States of America.
The object of one part of my Invention is to produce such an improvement upon
systems for the distribution of electricity for translation into visible effect, such as
light, power, and heat, that an accidental cross between the main wires at any
point will only affect the house circuits upon the side or face of the block whore
the cross occurs.
In laying the conductors for this system two conductors are run along each sido
or face of a block. These are termed "positive" and "negative" conductors,
since in one the positive current flows in the same direction as does the negative
current in the other. In front of each house, or at any other point where it is
desired to make connection with the main conductors, they are run into a junction
box, which is a square iron box in which the conductors are laid bare for connection
with the house wires. At each corner of a block is a larger junction box into
which the conductors on the meeting sides of the block pass, and also conductors
which cross the streets from the opposite junction boxes. Thus at the intersection.

page_text: of two streets will be placed four large junction boxes, into each of which will ron
eight main conductors. In each of such large junction boxes all the positive
conductors are connected together and likewise all the negative conductors, so that
a net work of intersecting wires is formed.
On each face of a block, and preferably near each large corner junction box, the
conductors are run through a small junction box, or one of them only may pass
through the same. In this box one conductor is severed and its ends connected to
conductors leading to a safety catch box located at some point where it can be
conveniently reached to replace the safety catch wire when necessary. In this
box the requisite amount of safety catch wire or material is placed in circuit, and
is burnt out when a cross occurs on the particular side of the block where it is
located, thus breaking the circuit and preventing damage. By placing safety
catches in this manner at the ends of each face or side of a block, the accidental
cross connection can be readily located, and by connecting all the conductors of
each class together at the corners, only the translating devices on the particular
side of the particular block are affected by the breaking of the circuit.
Another part of this Invention relates to means and method for independently
controlling and indicating the electricity furnished on each floor of a single
building, or if there are several consumers on each floor, the electricity furnished
each consumer.
For making each floor independent, the conductors are run from the house
junction box located in the street into the house, and vertically to the upper floor
of the same.
At each floor the conductors pass through a junction box within
which wires are connected with such conductors, such wires running where needed
throughout that story of the building and having the translating devices
connected therewith in multiple arc.
Close to the floor junction box is situated a meter connected with the positive
floor wire for measuring the electricity furnished the particular floor, and between
the meter and the floor junction box a safety catch is placed in one wire to break
the floor circuit if a cross occurs therein. When there are several consumers on a
floor, a floor main will be run out from each floor junction box, and the wires for
the consumers will run from junction boxes on this main, each consumer having an
independent circuit with meter and safety catch.
Another part of this Invention relates to the construction of main conductors,
.and the junction boxes for the same.
The construction preferred for main conductors is as follows:-Two copper rods
are taken of the desired size, and having in cross section the form of a segment of
a circle, and these are fixed the desired distance apart with their flat sides turned
towards each other by means of washers of pasteboard. Each washer has two
segmental openings made through it to receive the rods, and its periphery is
notched.
The rods and washers are entered into a metal tube or pipe of proper size, the
washers fitting the tube closely and holding the curved faces of the rods concentric
with the walls of the tube, and at a certain regular distance therefrom. The tube
is then filled with asphaltum, tar, or other insulating compound or material, the
same flowing through the notches on the edges of the pasteboard washers and
filling completely the unoccupied space of the tube. When the insulating material
or compound hardens, the conductors will be held rigidly in place, and will be
properly protected by the surrounding tube. The sections of these tubes are
coupled together so as to make a good connection of the conductors, and at junction
boxes the tubes are secured to or into the sides of the boxes, while the conductors
are extended bare across or through the same.
Instead of using two segmental rods the main conductiors may be formed by a
copper tube and a rod, both placed concentrically within the enclosing tube of
metal. The conducting tube would be surrounded by notched pasteboard washers,
which would keep it a regular distance from the walls of the enclosing tube, while
the solid round rod would have strung upon it smaller notched pasteboard washers

page_text: which would fit the bore of the conducting tube. The spaces would then be filled
with an insulating material or compound, as before described.
If it is desired to place four conductors within a single enclosing tube, the
pasteboard washers would be provided with four quadrant shaped openings for
receiving the similarly shaped copper rods, the round faces of the rods being turned
outwardly.
Each main conductor may however be placed in a separate enclosing tube, in
which case the notched pasteboard washers would have single circular openings in
their centre to receive round copper rods. With this last construction two kinds
of house junction boxes may be used.
The separate pipes may enter one box, or each pipe may enter a separate box
from which the house conductors will be led.
Feeding circuits run from the central station directly to different points of the
system, to the conductors forming which circuit no translating devices are
connected. These feeding circuits are for making the system symmetrical, and
giving an equal electro-motive force or pressure at all points. The feeding
conductors are constructed like the main conductors, the two conductors forming
each feeding circuit being placed together in a single enclosing tube, or in separate
tubo. The feeding conductors are run into certain of the large corner junction
boxes, and are connected with the positive and negative main conductors at the
two points where the main conductors of each class are coupled together.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuanco of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Griffith Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th February 1882.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRIC CON-
DUCTORS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND INDICATING THE ELECTRICITY
CONVEYED BY THEM." A communication from abroad by Thomas Alva Edison, of
Menlo Park, New Jersey, United States of America.
The object of one part of this Invention is to produce such an improvement upon
systems for the distribution of electricity for translation into sensible effect, such
as light, power, or heat, that an accidental cross between the main wires at any
point will only effect the house circuits upon the side or face of the block where
the cross occurs.
In laying the conductors for this system two conductors are run along each side
or face of a block. These are termed "positive" and "negative" conductors, the
“positive” conductor being the one through which the "positive" current flows to
the lamps or motors, while the "negative" conductor returns the current to the
feeding circuit and thence through the negative feeding conductor back to the
generators. In front of each house, or at any other point where it is desired to
make connection with the main conductors, they are run into a service box, which
is a square iron box, in which the conductors are laid bare for connection with the
house wires.
At each corner of a block is a junction box into which the conductors on the
meeting sides of the block pass, and also conductors which cross the streets from
the opposite junction boxes. Thus at the intersection of two streets will be placed
four junction boxes, into each of which will run eight main conductors. In each
of such junction boxes all the positive conductors are connected together, and
likewise all the negative conductors, so that a net work of intersecting wires is
formed.
On each face of a block, anywhere between the points of intersection of the main
conductors in the corner junction boxes, the conductors are run through a small
junction box, or one of them only may pass through the same. In this box one
conductor is severed, and its ends connected to conductors leading to a safety
catch box located at some point where it can be conveniently reached to replace
the safety-catch wire when necessary, or both conductors may run through this box
and be provided with safety-catches.
In this box the requisito amount of safety catch wire or material is placed in
circuit, and is burnt out when a cross on the main conductors occurs on the
particular side of the block where the box is located, thus breaking the circuit and
preventing damage.
By placing safety-catches in this manner in the main conductors on each face
or side of a block, the accidental cross connection can be readily located, and by
connecting all the main conductors of cach class together at the corners, only the
translating devices on the particular side of the particular block are affected by the
breaking of the circuit.
The foregoing will be better understood from the Drawings, in which—
Figure 1 is a top view of the conductors at the intersection of two streets, the
covers of a corner junction box and a safety catch box being removed.
Figure 2, a separate view of a corner junction box with the cover removed, and
Figure 3, a similar view of the safety-catch box.
Like letters denote corresponding parts in all three Figures.
A and B are two intersecting streets, and a, b, the curb.
.

page_text: C, D, are the tubes or pipes inclosing the conductors; these tubes or pipes run
along the faces of the blocks and enter the corner junction boxes E, while similar
tubes C, D, placed in line with C, D, cross the streets and connect the junction
boxes. Each of these tubes carries two main conductors in the manner herein-
after described, or the conductors may be inclosed in separate pipes, as will also
be set forth.
. The house service boxes are shown at F, and from these are led the house wires
or conductors 5, 6.
In the corner junction boxes the four conductors intersect each other, the
positive conductors 1, 3, and the negative conductors 2, 4, being electrically
connected.
G represents the safety-catch boxes, one being situated on the face of each block,
as before explained, and having a piece of safety catch wire g placed in the line of
one or each of the main conductors.
These safety-catch boxes are preferably located inside of the curb, and are
arranged so that they can be readily reached to replace the safoty-catch wire.
The object of another portion of this Invention is to produce a method of and
means for independently controlling and indicating the electricity furnished to
each floor of a single building; or if there are several consumers on each floor the
electricity furnished each consumer. For making each floor independent the
conductors are run from the house service box located in the street into the house
and vertically to the upper floor of the same. At each floor the conductors pass
through a service box, within which wires are connected with such conductors,
such wires running where needed throughout that story of the building, and having
the translating devices connected therewith in multiple arc.
Close to the floor service box is situated a meter connected with the positive
floor wire for measuring the quantity of electricity furnished that particular floor,
and between the meter and floor service box, or within such box, a safety catch
is placed in one floor wire to break the floor circuit if a cross occurs therein.
Where there are several consumers on a floor, a floor main will bo run out from
each floor service box, and the wires for the consumers will run from service boxes
on this main, each consumer. having an independent circuit with meter and safety
catch.
The foregoing will be better understood fron Figure 4 of the Drawings, in
which the view represents the house pipes and connections in side elevation, while
the house service box is seen from above, the covers of the boxes being removed.
1, 2, are the main conductors located in the street. A is the house service box;
3, 4, are the conductors running from the house service box into the house, and
vertically therein to the top floor of the same.
C, D, represent the floors of the house; E, F, are floor service boxes; 5, 6, are
floor wires; G, H, are floor meters; and a, b, safety-catches. L represents lamps
placed in multiple arc or cross circuits from floor wires 5, 6.
Another part of this Invention relates to the construction of main conductors and
the junction boxes for the same. The construction preferred for main conductors
is as follows:-Two copper rods are taken of the desired size, and having in cross
section the form of a segment of a circle, and these are fixed the desired distance
apart with their flat sides turned towards each other by means of washers of
pasteboard. Each washer has two segmental openings made through it to receive
the rods, and its periphery is notched. The rods and washers are entered into a
metal tube or pipe of proper size, the washers fitting the tube closely and holding
the curved faces of the rods concentric with the walls of the tube and at a certain
regular distance therefrom. The tube is then filled with asphaltum, tar, or other
insulating material or compound, the same flowing through the notches on the
edges of the pasteboard washers, and filling completely the unoccupied space of the
tube. When the insulating material or compound hardens, the conductors will be
held rigidly in place, and will be properly protected by the surrounding tube.
The sections of theso tubes are coupled together so as to make a good. connection

page_text: of the conductors, and at junction boxes the tubes are secured to or into the sides
of the boxes, while the conductors are extended bare across or through the same.
Instead of using two segmental rods the main conductors may be formed by a
copper tube and a rod, both placed concentrically within the inclosing tube of
metal. The conducting tube would be surrounded by notched pasteboard
washers, which would keep it a regular distance from the walls of the
enclosing tube, while the solid round rod would have strung upon it smaller
notched pasteboard washers which would fit the bore of the conducting tube. The
spaces would then be filled with an insulating material or compound, as before
described.
If it is desired to place four conductors within a single enclosing tube, the
pasteboard washers would be provided with four quadrant shaped openings for
receiving the similarly shaped copper rods, the round faces of the rods being
turned outwardly.
Each main conductor may however be placed in a separate inclosing tube, in
which case the notched pasteboard washers would have single circular openings in
their centre to receive round copper rods. With this last construction two kinds
of house service boxes may be used. The separate pipes may enter one box, or
each pipe may enter a separate box from which the house conductors will be led.
Feeding circuits are run from the central station directly to different points of
the system, to the conductors forming which circuits no translating devices are
connected. These feeding circuits are for making the system symmetrical, and
giving an equal electro-motive force or pressure at all points. The feeding
conductors are constructed like the main conductors, the two conductors forming
each feeding circuit being placed together in a single inclosing tube or in separate
tubes. The feeding conductors are run into certain of the large corner junction
boxes, and are connected with the positive and negative main conductors at the
two points where the main conductors of each class are coupled together.
This portion of the Invention is illustrated in the Drawings, Figures 5 to 16
inclusive.
Figure 5 is a view in perspective of a street main, a portion of the enclosing
tube being removed to afford a view of the conductors.
Figure 6, an elevation of the insulating washer of Figure 5.
Figures 7 and 9, sections of other forms of mains.
Figures 8, 10, and 11, elevations of washers used therewith.
Figure 12, a top view of the main conductors in separate pipes, and separate
house service boxes, with a house circuit running therefrom.
Figure 13, a top view showing a double service-box.
Figure 14, a cross section of one of the mains and its enclosing pipe.
Figure 15, a top view of a corner junction box used as a feeder-box, and
Figure 16, a top view of a safety catch box and connections.
With reference to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, A is a pipe or tube of iron or
other suitable metal; B, B, Figure 5, are copper bars or rods whose diameters vary
according to the number of translating devices to be supplied, but together are
much less than the internal diameter of the enclosing pipe A.
C, C, are washers of some such insulating material as paper or pasteboard, what
is known as Manilla beard being very suitable therefor, it being as effective as
glass for this purpose, with the advantage of more easy manipulation and great
economy in cost.
These have apertures c, c (see Figure 6), of the same shape as the conductors,
which pass through them, fitting closely therein. These washers are of such size
that they also fit closely within the tube A, and prevent contact between the
conductors and the inside of the tube.
The space
D which surrounds the conductors within the washers is filled with
any suitable insulating material, asphalt or an asphalt composition being appropriate
substances for this purpose. This also fills the spaces between the conductors
themselves, the edges of the washers containing notches d, d, so that apertures are

page_text: left to enable the insulating compound to flow through the entire length of the
tube. Various sized completed conductors may be made; but as the sizes vary, the
arc of the circular portion of the conductors is always concentric with that of
the enclosing tube, securing a uniform thickness of insulating material between
the two.
By using the form of washer C, shown in Figure 8, four conductors B may be
placed in one tube, as in Figure 7.
Instead of both conductors being solid rods the arrangement shown in Figure 9
may be used. In this case one conductor is a tube, as E, through which passes the
other, a round rod F.
A pasteboard washer G (Figure 11) is placed between them
and a larger washer H (Figure 10) between E and A, the remaining spaces being
filled with an insulating substance as above described.
It is evident that any number of different forms of conductors, washers, etc., may
be used in addition to those herein described, as may be desired.
By these devices a complete and permanent insulation is obtained between the
conductors themselves, and also between the conductors and the exterior tube, the
latter at the same time preventing any injury from moisture or dampness, or other
causes which might affect the conductors or the insulation thereof from reaching
the same.
Referring now to Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, A, B, are the main conductors,
and C, D, the inclosing pipes. The notched pasteboard washers are shown at a
(Figure 14); E, F, are the separate service boxes; G, the double service box;
and 1, 2, the house circuits, the conductors of which are inclosed in separate pipes;
H is a house meter; I is a corner junction box, used as a feeder box; 3, 4, are the
conductors of the feeder circuit; K is the safety catch box; and K' the box into
which the conductors are run for making connection with safety-catch; L is the
piece of safety-catch wire or material.
What is claimed is,―
First. In a system of electrical distribution, a safety catch for the main
conductors located on the face of each block, substantially as set forth.
Second. In a system of electrical distribution, the intersecting positive and
negative conductors connected together in pairs, as described.
Third. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination with the inter-
secting positive and negative conductors connected together in pairs, as described,
of the safety-catches between the points of intersection, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination with the main
conductors and house service box located in the street, of the house conductors
running vertically through the house, a service box on each floor through which said
vertical conductors pass, and separate meters for independently measuring the
current furnished each floor or each consumer within the building, substantially us
set forth.
Fifth. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination with the conductors
running through the house and floor service boxes, of the floor wires or conductors,
translating devices arranged in multiple arc or cross circuits, and a meter and
safety-catch for each floor or for each consumer within the building, substantially
as set forth.
Sixth. The combination with an enclosing tube and electrical conductors contained
therein, of washers made of Manilla or pasteboard, supporting the conductors and
separating them from the tube and from each other, and notched upon their
exterior edges to permit the flow throughout the tube of liquid insulating
material, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. A compound electric conductor in which the individual conductors
consist of solid metallic bars, segments of a circle separated and supported by disks
or washers of insulating material, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. A circuit for electric currents in which one conductor is a hollow tube,
and the other a solid circular rod passing through the said tube insulated therefrom

page_text: and supported therein, and separated therefrom by insulating 'disks or washers,
substantially as set forth.
Ninth. A street main for an electric lighting system, as shown in Figure 5,
consisting of the tube or pipe A, conductors. B, B, provided with washers C, C, and
the insulating material D, substantially as set forth.
Tenth. A metallic circuit for electric lights consisting of two semi-circular rods
supported by and separated from each other in a metallic pipe by a series of
insulating washers, the pipe being filled with a suitablo insulating material,
substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. A metallic circuit composed of semi-circular rods secured within, but
insulated from a metallic containing tube, the arcs of the conductor and the tube
being concentric, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. In a system of electrical distribution, the conductors A, B, forming a
complete metallic circuit inclosed in separate pipes C, D, (Figures 12 to 16
inclusive), substantially as set forth.
Thirteenth. In a system of electrical distribution, the conductors A, B, forming
a complete metallic circuit in combination with separate inclosing pipes C, D, and
notched pasteboard washers a (Figures 12 to 16 inclusive), substantially as set
forth.
Fourteenth. In a system of electrical distribution, the corner junction box
wherein the main conductors of like kind are coupled together in pairs, in
combination with the feeding conductors entering such box, and connected with
the positive and negative main conductors, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Griffith Brewer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.