Abstract
THE usefulness of scientific research on everyday domestic devices is shown by a paper read to the Institution of Electrical Engineers by P. D. Morgan, H. G. Taylor and W. Lethersich on April 20. The problem they had to solve was to find the best way of keeping the heating of lamp fittings and their connecting flexible wires at such a low value that the rubber insulation would not deteriorate. This deterioration takes the form of hardening and making brittle the rubber surrounding the wire. In this case a slight disturbance may cause it to crack off and expose the bare conductor. This may lead to a short-circuit and so possibly to igniting the flex. It would be a rare occurrence but it would be advisable to prevent it. The deterioration of the rubber is due to its oxidisation, which is accelerated by heat. The introduction of gas-filled lamps has appreciably raised the temperature of the flexible wire connected to the holder and thus the problem has become more urgent.
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Heating of Domestic Pendant Lamp Fittings. Nature 132, 95–96 (1933). https://doi.org/10.1038/132095c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/132095c0