Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 256, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1917 — SEEK CURE OF ELECTROLYSIS [ARTICLE]

SEEK CURE OF ELECTROLYSIS

government Experts Aid In Installing System to Prevent Damage to Metal Structures. Tbe damage done annually to underground pipes, cables and other metal structures in this country by eleetrolyMa amounts to many millions of dollar*. There are very few water, gas or lead cable systems that are not more or leas subject at some points to electrolytic damage from stray currents. Moreover, the loss does not consist merely in' the shortening of the life of such structures; electrolytic damage is one of the causes of the leakage of water and gas from distribution systems. The failure of such systems on account of electrolytic action may also Involve various dangers to the life and health of human beings. According to the bureau of standards more than 25 separate and distinct methods of dealing with the electrolyste problem have been proposed and experimented with from time to time. Some of these methods are useless, or ards has been studying the subject of electrolysis mitigation for the last six years, and has aided in installing complete mltigative systems in several cities. The bureau makes somewhat detailed tests in each of these places about once a year to make sure that the protective systems are being properly maintained. An extended series Of experiments has recently been undertaken in the city of Springfield. Mm, with the so-called three wire system of electric railway operation; a system which offers considerable promise for the mitigation of electrolyse troubles under certain conditions frequently met with in cities.