[Trade Journal]
Publication: Electrical World
New York, NY, United States
vol. 47, no. 3, p. 167-168, col. 2, 1
Plant of the Trumbull Electric Manufacturing Company.
The Trumbull Electric Manufacturing Company, of Plainville, Conn., has recently completed a modern three-story and basement brick building for the accommodation of its rapidly growing factory equipment. The modest beginning of the company was made in a small one-story wooden structure where rosettes were manufactured. When a little later the company started the manufacture of switches, an engine room was added to the original structure, and then another story, until in 1903 the business assumed such proportions as to necessitate the addition of a two-story and basement ell-shaped extension, the company then undertaking the manufacture of switchboards.
At present the original room in which the company started is used as a storeroom for copper used in switchboard work, and the floor above is used to store finished stock. A large assortment of slate for switchboard use is stored in the basement of the ell-shaped extension, on the first floor of which are machines for cutting and trimming steel parts for cabinet boxes, grinding and buffing machines, and machines for drilling bolt and screw holes in slate. Here is also mounted and assembled all the heavier switchboard work. The upper story is occupied by the cabinet department, where wooden trims for cabinet and switch boxes are made.
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| Switch Assembly Department. |
The new building is of slow-burning mill construction and is connected with the old building by a covered arcade. The basement is utilized as a receiving room for slate for switch bases, and slate drilling machines are located in one corner of the room. On the floor immediately above is the buffing room, air for which is supplied by two centrifugal blowers in the basement, and standard and special machines for the economical production of the metal parts used in the various devices. Abundant natural light is afforded by day, and at night incandescent lamps spaced every 8 ft. give ample illumination. The dipping and electroplating department is also located on this floor.
A one-story ell houses the power equipment, consisting of a small Atlas engine receiving steam from two horizontal tubular boilers and belted to a main shaft connected to auxiliary and counter shafting from which the various machines are driven. A Crocker-Wheeler generator belt-driven from the engine fly-wheel through a jack shaft also forms part of the power equipment. The energy from this generator is used to drive a motor which furnishes power to the machines in the switchboard department and also to furnish light. Current for this purpose may also be obtained from New Britain in case of mishap to the generator.
The various processes of assembling are carried out on the second floor, where the lacquering department and a department for the assembly of panel boards are also located. The general offices and drafting room occupy the third floor. An enameling room is located in a separate building. Here the slate is scoured and prepared for whatever finish is desired, after which it passes to steam-heated ovens in the assembly room.
The company is now manufacturing switchboards of any capacity. In addition there is turned out a very complete line of iron service boxes, special cabinet switches and standard switches from 15 amperes to 2,000 amperes capacity in all styles; porcelain base switches and battery switches, fuse blocks, fuse holders, pendant push-button switches, flush receptacles, fused and fuseless rosettes, plug cut-outs, enclosed fuse cut-outs, combination switches, panel cut-outs and panel boards. The officers of the company are F. T. Wheeler, president; J. H. Trumbull, treasurer, and Mr. Henry Trumbull, secretary. A New York office is established at 136 Liberty Street, in charge of T. D. Watson, where a complete stock is carried for immediate distribution.
