Lighting Airway Beacons Direct From High-Voltage Transmission Lines

Airway beacons requiring from 1½2 to 2½ kw., may be lighted direct from low-voltage distribution lines, gas engine-driven generators or from high-voltage transmission lines. The latter requires a high potential transformer of very small capacity, although most standard high potential transformers are made only in ratings of 15 to 100 kv-a. The ''capacitap'' is a potentiometer device similar to that used with condenser bushing terminals, the capacities being composed of suspension type capacitor units. The capacitap will give satisfactory performance for certain types of loads. The device is very well adapted to the supply of power to airway beacons having nearly constant load and approximately 100 per cent power factor where not more than 3 kw. is required. The construction and performance are discussed in detail.