Museum of electricity

[mickys86]

It's only open 4 hrs and I thought we'd be in and out within 2hrs but we was rushing around in the end to see it all before it shut!

 

[Adam W]

I had some time off recently and managed to make it down there, although I should have left more time.

1928 Kohler Direct Lighting Set.

This generator would have been used in a rich person's house in the days before the distribution network, therefore 110v would have been sufficient without having to install massive distribution cables.
They were often installed with remote switches in the master bedroom so the electricity could be switched off at night, when the servants would work by candlelight.

'Direct Current House Switchboard'. Unfortunately I didn't get a close up of the explanation. It is constructed from 2 marble plates, joined by a double pole knife switch which serves as a main isolator.

 

[Adam W]

Electric Tram. They don't let you go inside unless accompanied by a member of staff, of which there weren't any around. Maybe I should have just gone in anyway...


I'm not sure if the chain lift in the background was supposed to be used by the maintenance staff of the museum or if it's an exhibit.
The museum is situated in an old power station.


I've mentioned it before but you would probably expect a museum of electricity, or any building owned by the DNO, to be wired as something of a show-piece, and not like this.
The pictures are a bit fuzzy because I took them in a hurry before anyone saw me.


Mather & Platt Rotary Convertor.


The precursor to the bridge rectifier.
I remember being told about these at college; one side is an ac motor, connected mechanically to a dc generator. Obviously these lose efficiency through friction.
Motors were never my strong point, but this looks like the ac side...




... And this the dc.

There was another curious looking thing which looked a bit like glass bagpipes. I think it was called an 'arc gas rectifier' which came after the rotary converter and presumably before the bridge rectifier. As I said I was in a bit of a rush so didn't manage to take a picture of it.

 

[HandySparks]

There was another curious looking thing which looked a bit like glass bagpipes. I think it was called an 'arc gas rectifier' which came after the rotary converter and presumably before the bridge rectifier. As I said I was in a bit of a rush so didn't manage to take a picture of it.

You're right; mercury arc rectifier. Love the "glass bagpipes" description, sums it up nicely.

 

[Knobhead]

This is the type of Murcury Arc Rectifier I used to work on. 500A @ 220V
View attachment 14402

It's a pity the control panel for the rotary converter isn't on show, they were truly frightening things. Ours was rated 1000A @ 220V. it could be paraleled to the MAR.

The small motor on the left of your picture is the pony motor. Used to get the RC up to near synconous speed, onceup to spead the AC was put on to the rings and the comutator would then then vanish in a cloud of sparks wile the RC dragged it's self in to sync.
View attachment 14403

Something that isn't well known about RC's is they could work both ways and convert not only AC to DC, but DC to AC.
Another of Tesla’s touches of genius.

The best way of describing a RC is as a rotary switch, mechanically converting power one way or the other. The motor and generator built in to the same unit with a saving on size.
View attachment 14404
the RC is on the left and the motor/generator on the right

The last plant I worked on had 3 RC’s. Starting them could be either by the pony motor or using DC from the bus and then varying the speed to bring it in to sync.
Along side them was the “modern” (HaHa) rectifiers.
View attachment 14405View attachment 14406

Have a look at www.nycsubway.org: Rotary Converter Power Technology

 

[Robotstar5]

A similar museum is at Porthcurno when British Empire telegraph cables went round the world.

 

[Knobhead]

Just to confuse people even more with the rotary converter I decided to do a drawing.
View attachment 14512
I will do a desciption in the industrial section soon

 

[Geordie Spark]

View attachment 14387
Electric Tram. They don't let you go inside unless accompanied by a member of staff, of which there weren't any around. Maybe I should have just gone in anyway...

View attachment 14388
I'm not sure if the chain lift in the background was supposed to be used by the maintenance staff of the museum or if it's an exhibit.
The museum is situated in an old power station.

View attachment 14389View attachment 14390View attachment 14391
I've mentioned it before but you would probably expect a museum of electricity, or any building owned by the DNO, to be wired as something of a show-piece, and not like this.
The pictures are a bit fuzzy because I took them in a hurry before anyone saw me.

View attachment 14393
Mather & Platt Rotary Convertor.

View attachment 14394
The precursor to the bridge rectifier.
I remember being told about these at college; one side is an ac motor, connected mechanically to a dc generator. Obviously these lose efficiency through friction.
Motors were never my strong point, but this looks like the ac side...

View attachment 14396

View attachment 14397
... And this the dc.

There was another curious looking thing which looked a bit like glass bagpipes. I think it was called an 'arc gas rectifier' which came after the rotary converter and presumably before the bridge rectifier. As I said I was in a bit of a rush so didn't manage to take a picture of it.

If you're interested in seeing & riding on trams this is the place to go: Welcome | Crich Tramway Village

 

[Knobhead]

Just to follow on from Geordie, if you go to Crich have a look at the substation. You'll cream you're jeans.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Just to follow on from Geordie, if you go to Crich have a look at the substation. You'll cream you're jeans.

YES !!! ..... I forgot to mention that !!!

I've had some very good days there - I especially enjoy the Edwardian & 1940's themed days especially the evenings outside the pub when the street lights come on. There are some great photo opportunities to be had.

 

[Adam W]

They also have a collection of working trams and trolleybuses at the Black Country Museum in Dudley.
I've not been there as an adult but must have been a dozen times as a child. Presumably anyone else who was a schoolchild in the midlands has also been at least once.

Following on from another thread they also have a chippy where they fry the fish and chips in beef dripping.

 

[Geordie Spark]

They also have a collection of working trams and trolleybuses at the Black Country Museum in Dudley.
I've not been there as an adult but must have been a dozen times as a child. Presumably anyone else who was a schoolchild in the midlands has also been at least once.

Following on from another thread they also have a chippy where they fry the fish and chips in beef dripping.

That's another of my regular haunts - along with Beamish Beamish, The Living Museum of the North which is just up the road from where I live.

 

[tidyboiler]

They also have a collection of working trams and trolleybuses at the Black Country Museum in Dudley.
I've not been there as an adult but must have been a dozen times as a child. Presumably anyone else who was a schoolchild in the midlands has also been at least once.

Following on from another thread they also have a chippy where they fry the fish and chips in beef dripping.

Yes, I have been there a few times on school trips. Very good day out I remember; makes me wish I had paid more attention to the place instead of having fun with schoolfriends and generally being a pain. (I think the Cadbury's day out was pretty good too!)

 

[Geordie Spark]

Yes, I have been there a few times on school trips. Very good day out I remember; makes me wish I had paid more attention to the place instead of having fun with schoolfriends and generally being a pain. (I think the Cadbury's day out was pretty good too!)

Ye haven't changed much over the years have ye pet? :nonod:

 

[tidyboiler]

Ye haven't changed much over the years have ye pet? :nonod:

Not a jot! :19: