From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Investigation into cable screening failures, specifically braiding damage and insulation perishing on tanks.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 25\1\ Scan032 | |
| Date | 20th March 1935 | |
| - sheet 2 - Mr Lewis during his impending visit to Perham Down Camp to make further enquiries into this matter. We also propose to ask Colonel Darby to see what information can be obtained from the appropriate technical department at the War Office. Screening. With regard to the troubles complained of in connection with the screening, these can be divided under two headings:- (a) failures due to strands of the braiding piercing the cable. (b) perishing of the insulation. Under failure (a) we are strongly of the opinion that the braiding is damaged in the normal course of operations by the people running the tanks. The same system of screening used on our aero engines does not give rise to similar complaints, and we, therefore, think that the braiding has been handled in a manner which it will not stand, particularly in view of this being the tinned copper braiding which we have now superseded by the tinned bronze. We should like a sample set of the braided cable, which has been removed from a tank on account of this trouble. Under heading (b) we believe the perishing is confined to a short lead connecting the high tension coil to the centre terminal of the distributor, and Mr Lewis rather confirms that this is so. This is a very difficult complaint to deal with as in our experience the central lead of the battery ignition is very subject to this trouble on all battery ignition systems, and we should recommend that this particular stretch of cable is replaced at regular intervals. In the meantime we will prosecute enquiries as to whether | ||