Shawinigan Falls power started with Thomas insulators

The Shawinigan Plant.

On Saturday, February 7th, the Shawinigan Water & Power Company successfully started its power transmission plant between Shawinigan Falls and Montreal. The transmission line, which is of aluminum cable, is a fraction of over 84 miles in length. The transmission is at 50,000 volts, 30 cycles. The line has a maximum capacity of 8,000 hp. The apparatus at present installed is capable of delivering 2,500 hp, and additional apparatus is being put in as rapidly as possible for 2,500 hp more. The step-up and step-down transformers and switchboard apparatus were furnished by the Westinghouse Company and the synchronous frequency changers for changing from 30 to 60 cycles were furnished by the Bullock Company. This apparatus was all set up, ready for operation seven months from the date of the order for it. The 50,000-volt line insulators were furnished by the R. Thomas & Sons Company, of East Liverpool. The aluminum cable was supplied by the Pittsburg Reduction Company.

The station buildings for the transmission were designed by Mr. Wallace C. Johnson, chief engineer of the Shawinigan Water & Power Company, who also had in charge the carrying out of the construction work. The transmission was laid out and the construction directed by Mr. Ralph D. Mershon, consulting engineer for the company.