Switches and switchboards

The great and growing importance of well-designed and adequate switchgear for the protection and control of electrical machinery, makes it unnecessary to apologise for presenting a paper on so well worn a theme. The main object in so doing is to pave the way to a thorough discussion — by users — of the advantages and failings of the various types of switchgear supplied — by manufacturers — to meet their requirements. It is hoped that a description of some forms of modern switchgear, with a few notes oh its development from the original elementary apparatus, and on the principles kept in mind in designing gear suitable for modern requirements, may induce those who have suffered to point out the defects to which their troubles were due, and thus assist the manufacturers, by showing what should be supplied and what avoided, in order to prevent similar trouble in the future.