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 a faulty condenser, number 320.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 52\3\ Scan079 | |
| Date | 14th May 1923 | |
| COPY May 14th. 1923. EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} PB.92. INVESTIGATION OF FAULTY CONDENSER No.320. This condenser was sent to us by the Test Dept. 26.4.23, with a statement to the effect that it appeared to function alright, but that whenever fitted to a distributor the points suffered by becoming pitted or burned. The condenser was first tried on our distributor, when it was found that bad missing occurred on the spark gaps, accompanied by heavy flashing at the contact points. It was anticipated from this that its capacity would be low, but on testing it for leakage and capacity, it was found to be O.K. in both respects; the capacity being .32 mf. Although the fault appeared to be of the nature of a reduction in capacity it was tested on 400 volts, after which it was left overnight to gently warm through. The following morning, there being no material difference in behaviour, it was concluded that the trouble was a faulty connection. This was confirmed by clamping the condenser between two pieces of wood in such a way as to exert pressure on those parts of the case over the terminal strips, when it was found that, although there was no increase in capacity, the sparking was improved and the flashing at the contact points greatly reduced. It was then decided to open the condenser. Contd. | ||