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).
Explaining the safety reasons and necessity for using an insulated ignition switch.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 31\2\ Scan027 | |
| Date | 8th July 1915 | |
| Re Insulated Ignition Switch. X.1413. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}/Mcr7/L8715. 8.7.15. In reply to your memo EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}25/T/W6715, we wish to explain that the above switch was designed for use with the 6 volt coil, the raison d'être of its existence being that if an insulated switch is not used there is always the danger of the engine being switched on if a lighting connection is earthed. A fitter in the Experimental Shop nearly had his arm caught in the fan due to another man shorting the circuit as he was fitting a new bulb in the head lamp. The C.A.V. and Lucas people also strongly object to us connecting our ignition to their lighting batteries unless we insulate it from the frame. Mcr. | ||