"Lektrik" Defined.

Because Pilots are expected to change light bulbs and tune transistor radios, a few hints are given here for their guidance.

1. Most electricity is manufactured at Power Stations where it is fed into wires which are then wound around large drums. These drums can often be seen on the roadside, especially where electricity is being or about to be delivered to remote towns and villages.

2. Some electricity, however, does not need go go along wires. That used in lightning, for example and in portable radios. This kind of electricity is not generated, but lies around loose.

3. Electricity makes a low humming noise. This noise may be pitched at different levels for use in doorbells, telephones and electric organs.

4. Electricity must be earthed. That is to say, it has to be connected to the ground before it can function, except in the case of ships and aeroplanes, which have separate arrangements.

5. Electricity is made up of two ingredients. positive and negative. One ingredient travels along a wire covered in brown plastic and the other along a wire covered in blue plastic. When these two meet together in what we call a socket, the different ingredients mix together to form electricity.

6. Electricity may be stored in batteries. Big batteries do not necessarily hold more electricity than small batteries. In big batteries, the electricity is just shovelled in, while in small batteries, the electricity is packed flat.

7. With the invention of coloured electricity, so also came a great easing of the traffic problem. Hitherto, policemen had to be used at road junctions.

8. The light switch. The lever in the middle of the switch controls a small vice or clamp which grips the wires very hard and thus prevents the electricity from passing that point when the switch is on the "OFF" position.

Last updated: 08 April, 2003 13:20