The modification and testing of a Lucas dual fuel pump switch to improve reliability and prevent electrical tracking.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 168a\2\ img289 | |
| Date | 19th April 1937 | |
| Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} SM. Jas. Hy. {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} C. ARC. Mx. {John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Roy. {Mr H. Royce - Buyer} C. Rd. LUCAS DUAL FUEL PUMP SWITCH. We have been working at this switch and have improved its action and reliability enormously by a slight alteration to the hexagonal contact plunger. By cutting two small grooves each side of the Bakelite insulation the contacts break before rubbing over the Bakelite and all tracking is thus avoided. We have tested this in the Laboratory operating two standard petrol pumps and have done 5,000 switching operations without failure. Assuming a customer checks his pumps four times a day this is the equivalent of four years use. A standard switch tested broke down on the same test due to tracking after only 40 operations. All switches therefore should be returned to Messrs Lucas immediately for this modification to be carried out. We have been in communication with Messrs Lucas on this question and they have agreed to modify all switches free of charge. AW/st. | ||
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).