Thomas exhibit at the New York Electrical Exhibition demonstrates electrical testing of Boch patent insulators

AT THE EXHIBITION

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THE R. THOMAS & SONS COMPANY, East Liverpool, Ohio, makes a most impressive exhibit of the puncture-proof qualities of its high tension porcelain insulators. The exhibitor shows first a triple petticoat "Boch glazefilled" insulator, which he stands upside down in a basin of salt water, pours salt water into the rims and over the petticoat, and applies 60,000 volts alternating potential difference generated in a high tension Westinghouse testing transformer, between the outer basin and the pin chamber. The current at first finds a ready short circuit over the wet surface, but as this drips the static sparks follow and jump and play over the surface, and are followed at times by arcs springing over 4 to 6 inches distance. The insulator invariably stands up against this test. To show still further the abilities of the insulator the outer shell alone, without the middle or the inner petticoat, is tested in the same manner, and to still further surprise those accustomed to the weaknesses of ordinary porcelain, the outer shell in a vitrified but unglazed state is put through the same test, the porcelain even in this state being absolutely unpuncturable by any voltage that will not strike an arc clear around its surface.

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