EYDRO ELECTRIC INSTALLATIONS. LXV. 
transformers dispensed with, but for higher transmission 
line voltages the pressure or the alternator should be say 
5000 and the voltage stepped up. Generating at high 
pressure is liable to cause nitric acid to form by silent 
discharge. 
Transmission Line.—The longest transmission in the 
world is from Colgate to San Francisco via Mission San 
Jose, a distance of 220 miles, or say a little more than 
from Orange to Sydney. The Colgate power house develops 
15000 horse power. The next is 154 miles, from Electra 
power house to the same city, and there are a great many 
above 100 miles, including the Cauvary Falls, India. It 
will therefore be seen that a transmission of 60 miles 
from Trawool to Melbourne, or Barren Jack to Sydney, 
is quite a simple matter. In California eight power 
houses are linked together by transmission lines, and 
although put down originally as independent plants, they 
now run in parallel almost as easily as if all the generating 
units were under oneroof. The total length of transmission 
lines on this system is well over 1000 miles. When trans- 
mitting power over long distances, it is necessary to run 
as straight as possible, which frequently means purchasing 
the right of way. In this respect expense in Australia 
would be small, and it is probable that many transmissions 
could be run along the railway lines. The writer looks 
forward to the day when coal fuel power stations as 
Newcastle, Sydney, Lithgow, and on the South Coast will 
be linked up with several water power stations at 
Barren Jack, the Grose Valley, the Colo River, etc., and 
the bulk of the railway system this side of the mountains 
worked electrically. 
Voltage.—The voltage of transmission is limited by (a) 
leakage or discharge losses betwecn the conductors; (b) 
difficulty in obtaining porcelain insulators to withstand 
5—Sept. 16, 1908. j 
