Some Features of the Outdoor Electrical Installation

The principal advantage of the outdoor station is in lower first cost of plant. Another important advantage is that the layout may be enlarged or modified at a much less cost and inconvenience than an indoor station could be enlarged or modified for. There is less fire risk. The cooling of air-blast and oil-cooled transformers is more efficient. Some apparent disadvantages are the installing of apparatus outdoors; the possibility of the entrance of moisture into the apparatus; handling apparatus outdoors in bad weather; meddling with the apparatus by trespassers. According to the construction being adopted for the support of outside buses, there is no chance of a person´s coming in contact with the wiring unless he climbs upon the apparatus or upon the structures. All wiring is out of his reach. However, trespassers can be kept out by building a fence around the installation. Judging from the experience, it will not be as difficult to keep moisture out of the apparatus as it has seemed to be. In fact, there does not seem to be any very serious objection that cannot be overcome. Perhaps the one objection that will prove to be the most serious, is making temporary changes that may be occasioned by unexpected accidents, in very bad weather. This is particularly true with regard to high-tension oil switches. On account of moving parts, they are more difficult to protect against the weather, and are therefore more liable to require repairs resulting from weather conditions.