Mercury Arc Rectifier

The Russell Place substation still has 1950's mercury arc rectifiers remaining, as an example of the technology used for supplying DC to customers. In the early days of electricity supply in Melbourne, both DC and AC were used, by the 1930's it was clear AC would win out. However, the last DC customer was disconnected from these rectifiers in 2003!
Viewed as part of a tour during the Melbourne Open House, http://www.melbourneopenhouse.org/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• mercury
• arc
• rectifier
• russell
• place

[socram8888]

@BankaiIchigo12345 They are made from quartz, as well as UV sterilizers lamps.

[BankaiIchigo12345]

@Tiscando

If it did, you wouldn't have a situation where tanning lamps work, because the glass would absorb all the UV rays.

[Tiscando]

@BankaiIchigo12345 Doesn't glass absorb UV rays?

[BankaiIchigo12345]

Mercury arcs generate lots of shortwave UV light, bad for the eyes. Why isn't he wearing UV blocking goggles?

[ericperic66]

Fantastic to see these again. They look like Hewittic rectifier sets, made in England. I did my apprenticeship at Hackbridge & Hewittic back in the 1950/60's and spent some time working in the test department for equipment like this. Those were good times.