Harvard To Make Electrical Change; Plans Call for System of Generators

Corrections of weaknesses in Harvard's power system giaringly exposed by the Nov. 9 blackout, will cost the University between $50,000 and $21/2 million, according to William Murphy, chief engineer of the College, who is conducting an investigation of the effect of the power loss on Harvard. An additional $6000 is being spent on replacing used emergency batteries throughout the campus, he added.

The least that Harvard will do, Murphy said, is to construct a 550-volt emergency generator system within the University complex. This will produce enough electricity independent of any outside source, he added, to fullfill the College's basic necessities--heat, emergency lighting, fire alarms, hospital facilities, and the police radio in Grays Hall. He estimated the system's cost at $50,000.

But for Harvard to maintain its normal load of electricity, Murphy explained, a much more elaborate and expensive generator setup, costing $2 1/2 million, would be needed.

"Harvard will definitely have emergency generation--at least enough to run the 550-volt circuit and probably more than that," he said.

The 550-volt system is one of the three types of back-up sources in use at Harvard. Its reserve power comes from a cable which reaches beyond the College's two substations and connects with the main current line from the Cambridge Power and Light Company, where Harvard buys all its electricity. Murphy said the system is a recent innovation which, at this time, services only a section of the University. The other two emergency sources are wet and dry-cell batteries.

The batteries are supposed to be outdated; but, Murphy said, they were the sole source of power during the blackout. When Cambridge Power and Light failed, the 550-volt back-up faltered also.

Murphy admitted that none of the fire alarms in the Houses along the Charles River were functional during the powerless period. The alarms are supplied by the 550-volt hookup. Only the battery-powered emergency lights switched on, and they lasted for no more than two hours. They were not intended to be a permament light source, Murphy said, but merely to provide light for escape from buildings during fires.

Heat Loss

Another result of the electric loss, according to Floyd L. Kingsbury, foreman engineer at the campus' central power plant, was the total loss of heat at the University.

The Department of Buildings and Grounds conducted a survey one year ago on the feasibility of installing independent generators at Harvard, but the suggestion was sbelved. Murphy said Cambridge Power and Light assured the investigators that there was absolutely no possibility of a disconnection occuring between the University and the electric company. About a month ago another study was begun, but has not yet been completed.

Murphy noted that all expenditures would have to be authorized by L. Gard Wiggins, administrative vicepresident. But Murphy said he was confident the recommendations made by his investigation would be approved. He predicted that the blackout aftermath, including repairs, observation, and initiation of reforms, would be cleared up in the next several months.