Melbourne Mercury Arc Rectifier Substation 2006

During a 2006 visit to Melbourne's tram system, I had the pleasure of a tour of the two substations on the network that were still using mercury arc rectifier equipment, at West Brunswick and Maribyrnong. This is a close-up of the open cabinets showing two of the tubes in action..

For more information on the Melbourne tram system substations check out: www.hawthorntramdepot.org.au/papers/substations.htm

Developed in the early 1900's, the mercury arc rectifier tube was one of the primary means of AC to DC rectification prior to the advent of semiconductor diodes. These particular substations in Melbourne took in high voltage AC power and converted it to 600 v DC power for use by the trams.

I believe that the two substations I saw during my visit have since had the mercury arc rectifier equipment decommissioned, although there are several still functional in tram museums including the one in Brisbane. www.brisbanetramwaymuseum.org/elect_hist.php

Taken on: July 21, 2006

Tags:

Melbourne

tram

streetcar

electrical

substation

mercury

arc

rectifier

tube « less

Sets appears in: • Melbourne

Camera: Olympus C7070WZ, f/2.8, 1/30 sec, 5.7mm, ISO 126 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Olympus C7070WZ
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.033 sec (1/30)
Focal Length:	5.7mm
ISO:	126
Exposure Bias:	+1 EV
Flash:	Auto, Fired
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Version 1.0
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