[Newspaper]
Publication: The Globe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
vol. 60, no. 19786, p. 1,9, col. 7,2-3
HYDRO BREAK DUE TO
GERMAN INSULATORS
Inspection Shows That They
Are Defective
ALL WILL BE REMOVED
Thousand Miles of Circuit Must
be Covered to Find Them
Power Off for Second Time in a Week
Causes Trouble Throughout Entire
System — Toronto Sought Aid of its
Rival, the T.E.L.
For the next few days corps of expert electricians will go over the entire Hydro-electric transmission system with a fine tooth comb, clearing off all dangerous and defective insulators and installing new specially tested ones in their places. Some conception of the mammoth nature of the task can be realized in the fact that there are 297 miles of transmission lines to cover and over 1,000 miles of circuit.
The Commission has taken heroic measures as a result of the investigations of Chief Engineer F. A. Gaby, following yesterday's second break-down within a week. Mr. Gaby spent practically the whole day upon the trunk line between Niagara Falls and Dundas, where the break occurred. For over five hours in some places and in others for eight the system was tied up, the break occurring at 10.42 in the morning. In Toronto the power was off for about six hours, an hour and ten minutes being due to the time occupied in the transfer which had to be made from the Toronto Electric Light system which temporarily carried the load.
German Insulators Fail.
The investigation showed that the German insulators were "going like nine-pins," as Mr. Gaby expressed it in an interview with The Globe, following his return to the city last evening from Port Credit. No explanation can yet be vouchsafed for this sudden failure, unless it be attributed to conditions of temperature and the recent hot spell. The breaking of the insulators, however, throws a very high surge upon the system as well as short-circuiting it to the ground. Fortunately the loss will not be heavy, since the German insulators, which appear to be incapable of their work, are not many, and the American insulators all in perfect condition.
Stood the Test.
Only one comparatively small lot of insulators was procured from Germany. These were highly recommended and on their arrival were put to every severe test known to electrical science. They stood the test and accordingly were incorporated into the system. For some reason as yet defined they have, however, failed during the past few days and it has been decided to remove every one at once from the system. Corps of technical men will start this morning on the task, and Engineer Gaby expects when they complete their inspection and transfer the system will be itself once more. In the meantime the German insulators will be further examined and tested and Mr. Gaby is hopeful that the exchange may be made without any further break or tie up in the system.
As soon as the break had been located yesterday Mr. Gaby and his corps of experts set themselves to examine and inspect the other German insulators in the vicinity. Many of these they removed instanter, replaced them with the Ohio Insulators they had with them. This course will be followed throughout the whole system immediately.
The defects in the German insulators made themselves manifest very suddenly. The lines throughout the whole system are periodically inspected and tested, and no untoward condition had developed up to time of the latest inspection. All the other insulators, except the one German consignment, are in perfect condition. There is nothing wrong with the stations and nothing wrong with the system. "It is merely a case of removing such insulators as we now believe may be dangerous. This work will be carried on with every expediency, and we sincerely hope there will be nothing further to inconvenience and loss to the patrons of the Hydro-electric,” concluded Mr. Gaby.
Break Occurred at 10.42.
The break occured [sic] occurred at 10.42 in the morning, and at once the whole system was paralyzed. Messages rained in to the head offices in Toronto, and communication was at once established with the various stations along the map of lines. It was manifest at once that the trouble had occurred on the main trunk transmission line between Niagara Falls and the general Interswitching station at Dundas, since the tie-up was general. One hundred experts with full equipment were at once despatched over this line to locate the break. In view of the fact that the line is carefully patrolled it was not expected that the auxiliary corps would meet much difficulty in determining the location.
Hon. Col. Hendrie, acting Chairman of the Hydro-electric Power Commission, called up from Hamilton to direct immediate action, and all the experts available at the various stations were hurried out over the line. Commissioner W. K. McNaught, M. P. P., hurried over to the head offices and sent instructions over the lines. Chief Engineer F. A. Gaby and members of his staff left shortly after 11 o'clock for the interswitching station at Dundas, proceeding thence to Port Credit.
Acting Manager R. G. Black of the Toronto Hydro system was in touch with Mr. Gaby over the long distance telephone during the afternoon, but had nothing to say as to the occurrence. It was one affecting the trunk line and the Toronto system was merely dependent upon it and had no responsibility.
Many Places Affected.
Practically the whole Hydro system throughout the Province was paralyzed. Factories dependent upon its power in Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph, Dundas, Hespeler, Galt, Berlin, London, Stratford, St. Thomas, Waterloo, New Hamburg, Baden, Brampton and other points were at a standstill, and anxious messages from all points rained in upon the commission offices. All that it was possible to do, however, was to explain what was being done and express the hope that the lines would be operating again within it short time.
In Toronto Mayor Hocken averted a water famine by making arrangements for the coupling of the pumps to the Toronto Electric Light system temporarily, and the interchange of power enabled the pumps to continue operation at full pressure. It is probable, in view of the prevalence of trouble for the past few days, that an effort will be made to come to a permanent working arrangement for power exchange.
Caused Heavy Losses.
A special despatch to the Globe from London, in telling of the break, says: The London & Lake Erie Railway Company suffered again. Mr. Warburton, the manager, states that Monday's the accident has caused them practically the whole week's receipts. After failing to get any satisfaction as to the trouble to-day, he wired the Toronto directors, asking if he would proceed with a steam plant. He thinks that the company, which entered into a contract or hydropower last year, binding itself to use no other power, may have to abandon the Hydro system, and, if necessary, fight it out in the courts.
The power was off again in London from shortly after 7 o'clock until nearly 11 o'clock, when it returned for ten minutes.
The Globe's correspondent at Berlin, after telling of the inconvenience caused, says: There is general agitation for providing an auxiliary plant, and the matter of taking over the central steam heating plant will be considered by the light Commission tomorrow evening.
Some Cars Were Stalled.
Hydro power shut off at 10.40 this morning, wires the Globe’s, Galt correspondent, and the interruption lasted till seven o'clock to-night, after which there were several small breaks. The G., P. & H. railway maintained a service with their auxilliary plant, but the Grand Valley cars were stalled between here and Blue Lake.