In Connection with the very interesting paper of Messrs. Pomfret and Mosher, I should like to make some remarks concerning the formation of stray currents on shipboard.
We can expect stray current troubles on ships in the case of a bipolar as well as in a unipolar installation of the electrical supply system. It is practically impossible to keep the insulation (e.g., of the enormous number of negative return cables) constantly in perfect condition. But local defects in the insulation may lead to the formation of dangerous potential differences on the body of the ship, and consequently, on any machinery etc., in contact with it. For example, with a surface condenser or a pumping plant, the probability of electrolytic attack of the metal is very high.
In connection herewith we have to take into consideration the fact that the consumption of electrical energy on shipboard is enormous. On a well-known...
