General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

3

Total Parts

5

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Black slate panel; metal (including brass & copper), wood, synthetic, and glass components.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

61.0 cm

Width

35.0 cm

Height

158.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Energy-electric

Category

Regulation & transformation

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

General Electric

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Peterborough

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

Period

This version of panel used c. 1901/2 +. Dismantled and removed from operation c. 1963/4.

Canada

The Sault Ste. Marie Canal was converted to electrical operation in 1895, largely in an effort to maximize efficiency during cold weather when traffic through the Canal was heaviest. The contract for the electrical plant, and the installation of an electric lighting system for the canal and powerhouse was awarded to Canadian General Electric Co. of Toronto and Peterborough, Ont. When completed, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal was the first ship canal in the world to be electrically operated, and the first to be totally electrified with electric power and lighting along the entire canal. (Ref. 3, pp. 93-150)

Function

Originally housed the 9.5 amperes arc lighting circuit controls for the switchboard in the Sault Ste. Marie Canal powerhouse. Panel modified following conversion from d.c to a.c. system

Technical

Installed on the front right side of the powerhouse switchboard, this panel housed the 9.5 amperes 2000-volt arc lighting circuit controls. As on the other panels, this one had all meters, circuit breakers, and other controls grouped on the front, and the dangerous live wiring rear-connected to enhance safety and improve the appearance of the switchboard. Original panel configuration in 1895 was substantially different from this later, modified version. As early as 1906, the d.c. arc lighting system was converted to the a.c. system. , necessitating the installation of a new ammeter, voltmeter, and circuit breaker to the switchboard. (Ref. 3, p.134]

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

"ITE" cast in raised print on both side of frame of knife switch mounted on panel top. Plate on knife switch frame reads "I-T-E/ TRADEMARK/ CUTTER CO./ PHILA./ 23 U.S. AND/ FOREIGN PATENTS/ OTHERS PENDING/ NO. N3568/ AMPS 600/ VOLTS 250". Adjustment bar on knife switch labelled "450/ 600/ 750/ 900". Meter fixed to front right of panel bears plate on casing reading "ASTATIC AMMETER/ NO. 111182 TYPE [blank]/ CANADIAN/ GENERAL ELECTRIC CO./ LIMITED/ TORONTO PETERBORO/ NP. 4138" . Scale on meter face divided 0-600; labelled at intervals of 100. Following text appears on meter face "Patented in United States/ April 16 '95; Nov. 1 '96; Oct. 17 '97; June 10, 1902/ Licensed under Weston United States Patents / 392,387 Nov. 6 '88; 427,022, April 29 '90; 446,489 Feb. 17 '91/ NO. 111132 TYPE A./ N.P. 2858". Adjustment dial mounted on lower front centre of panel has "GE" cast in decorative raised script in centre. Plates mounted behind dial, on panel, labelled "NP 3649B [left pointing directional arrow] RAISE", "NP 3649D LOWER [right pointing directional arrow], and "NP 3649E VOLTAGE". Meter fixed to front left of panel bears plate on casing reading "ASTATIC VOLTMETER/ NO. 113385 TYPE [blank] / CANADIAN/ GENERAL ELECTRIC CO./ LIMITED/ TORONTO PETERBORO/ NP. 4136". Scale on meter face divided 0-175; labelled at intervals of 25. Following text appears on meter face "Patented in United States/ April 16 '95; Nov. 1 '96; Oct. 17 '97; June 10, 1902/ Licensed under Weston United States Patents / 392,387 Nov. 6 '88; 427,022, April 29 '90; 446,489 Feb. 17 '91/ NO. 111132 TYPE A./ N.P. 4160".

Missing

Unknown. Lamp bulb and/or shade missing from fixture mounted on panel.

Finish

Black slate panel; metal (including brass & copper), wood, synthetic, and glass components.

Decoration

N/A