cent. of the actual power generated by the engine. In this industry the extremely steady and even motion imparted by the rotary action of the electric motor is also an important feature.
Cranes and Hoists.—In almost every town there are warehouse and other cranes, and passenger and goods hoists, in general use. The advantages of the electric motor for these purposes are (1) the possibility of placing the motor close up to its work; (2) direct coupling or reduction gearing of high efficiency; and (3) the economy resulting from the power used being practically proportionate to the work done.
There is no need to give further examples in detail. The application of ordinary mechanical tests for efficiency, and the experience already obtained by the substitution of electric motors for other methods of power production, have proved beyond doubt its exceeding adaptability and superiority. Notwithstanding all this, however, many obstacles yet remain to hinder its general adoption by what may be termed the commonalty of the manufacturing world, and among the principal may be mentioned the following:—
1. The extreme aversion to innovations which characterises the industrial world, in Great Britain especially.
2. The existence of other motors in good working condition.
3. The unsuitability of alternating currents of electricity for motors where the power required exceeds 2 H. P. or 3 H. P
4. The want of capital to lay out in new machinery; and
5. The want of confidence in the electric motor by the non-technical manufacturer.
The first and second points do not require any further commentary or elucidation, and the writer would, therefore, dismiss them without more observation. With regard to the third point, it is much to be regretted that he alternating current motor is not yet apab e of doing the same work as a ontinuous-current motor. The energy equired to operate either type must, of course, be derived from some source,—usually a steam dynamo,—from which distribution mains carry the current in any direction; and as this is the most efficient method known of transmitting energy, and the motor the most efficient medium for transforming it into useful work, the principle has been applied in the workshop as well as for public supply. There is no need to dwell upon the advantages of the centralisation of steam power, nor upon the universally admitted fact that electricity for power purposes can be supplied from public lighting mains at a very low cost. But in addition to these there is one equally important advantage of deriving power from public mains from the user's point of view,—I refer to the actual resultant taken on the average of the varying loads, which is characteristic of the electric motor, and the facility for instantaneously switching "on" and "off" as required.
As to the want of confidence of the small power user in the electric motor,—that is soon overcome. It is gratifying to be able to state that several consumers in Bradford who originally applied on the hire system (which is practised there with much satisfaction), and at the time with much trepidation and many inquiries, have since decided to purchase the motors outright. The table on the next page has been compiled from replies to an inquiry which the writer made recently of each municipal electrical engineer where the continuous-current system has been adopted, and from it may be gathered the extent to which electric motors driven from electric lighting mains have been employed. The figures given are up to the end of 1897.
The writer has endeavoured in this paper to present briefly the outlines only of a method of extending the adoption of electric motive power by the general manufacturing community. Those who have the management of public electricity supply undertakings know full well the value of the electric motor as a factor in the reduction of the working costs, which is also the principal argument for the combined working under
