This hollow core bit has hard cutting inserts for drilling into rock. It was used to drill and recover 50mm diameter (most common size) rock cores. The rock cores were assessed by geologists and engineers to provide information for design of structures such as tunnels, dams and underground power stations (eg. McKay Creek Power Station, West Kiewa Power Station). This type of bit was also used where damage to the surrounding rock had to be minimised. The Diamond Drill Bit,used in the early 1900's, when it was primarily used as a method of sampling rock for ore deposits and oil exploration resulting in a "coring" of rock. The use of "coring" to obtained samples for the SEC Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme(1920's onward) was to analyse the core to obtain temperature and rainfall patterns shown by the levels of layered solidified soil(rock). This diamond drill would have been used in the early 1900's to provide a sub strata map of temperature and water patterns (over an long period of time). This was a pre requisite to any decisions about the viability of the region to provide the water needed for a successful hydro electricity scheme.This diamond drill for core sampling was at the forefront of the analysis whether to construct a hydro electrical facility in the Kiewa Valley and the adjoining alpine region. The rock core samples produced were assessed by geologists and structural engineers. It was only after extensive core drilling covering the region that solid scientific evidence could be provided to start the "SEC Vic Hydro Electricity Scheme" within its current boundaries.This "diamond" drill bit has eight "teeth" at its cutting edge. The drill creates an 55mm hole in extremely hard rock material to obtain 50mm core samples.. Three quarters down the shank it has thread screw channels to attach the bit to the drill pipe. The coring pipe attaches via screwing it onto this bit. Core samples are the main objective of this tool.alternate energy supplies, alpine feasibility studies temperature, rainfall, sec, kiewa hydro electric scheme, electricity

This tester was used between 1950 and 1980's. As part of the Occupation, Health and Safety requirements, equipment used to monitor the performance of electricity producing generators, regularly, hand held testers were used to check the insulation and the "earth" pin were up the the required operational levels. As the generators and their ancillary monitoring equipment was spread over a large area and cumbersome to service small hand held devices were required. These had to always be safe for the user to operate. A selected range of high quality meters were recalibrated every two years in the Meter and Calibration Laboratory at Yarraville(near Melbourne) This meter is very significant to The Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme because it was an integral part of maintaining the electricity producing water driven generators of the power stations. The reason why this meter was so essential is that provided the safety check on equipment used to monitor each Hydro Generator that they were complying within the grid network parameters. Grid parameters are set so that if there is an electrical fault on the system, that fault can be attended to with a very small change in the output stability of each generator. It is essential that the voltage of the network remain within the set limits. Generators are at Dartmouth, Mackay, Clover, West Kiewa, Yarrawonga, Cain Curran and three Power Stations in the Thornton area.This hand driven current generator produces 500 volts by winding the handle(on funnel curved side) to keep the voltage constant(one minute per test). The whole body is made from caste aluminium. One of the functions of this meter is to test the isolation resistance of any equipment being tested. This is to see if that equipment is safe to handle(no electrical shocks). The second function is to test the earth pin of any portable electrical equipment. The turn key on one side can direct which function is required(marked insulation or continuity). On the top side(enclosed in a glass fronted marked scale) is a continuity scale(top) and an insulation scale(bottom). This is covered , when not in use by "flip up" lid with manufacturer's details and name of the instrument. Opposite the winder are two screw tight knobs. One marked earth(left side) and one marked line(right side). On the top and next to the glass windowed scales in a post manufacture SEC Vic equipment equipment ID number. For carrying purposes there is chromed steel (fold together) handle.The bottom of the unit has two metal "feet" 150mm long by 114mm wideManufacturer's details on top side "MEG" underneath "INSULATION AND CONTINUITY TESTER" below this "constant 500 VOLT pressure" below this "REGISTERED MEG MEGGER TRADE MARK" below this "REG DESIGN NO. 690326" below this "UNITED KINGDOM PATENT Nos. 193746, 197178, 198182, 202062, 202398, 204649, 350715" below this "SUPPLIED BY THE GENERAL ELECTRIC Co. Ltd OF ENGLAND" below this "MAGNET HOUSE, KINGSWAY LONDON W.C.2" 'sec vic kiewa hydro scheme, alternate energy supplies, alpine feasibility studies temperature, rainfall

The core samples in the display cabinet were obtained from the various sites at which drilling into the rock surface was carried out (under the control of design and structural engineers of the SEC Kiewa Hydro Scheme - late 1940's). This function was a precursor to the decision where to locate, in this case, the McKay Creek Power Station. The information gained by structural engineers from the core samples would be used also for the placements of underground tunnels entry and exit points and the overall effective size of the generator plant. This would have included drill and blast techniques (rock characteristics play an import part of explosion control), requirements for support structures and reinforcing cement/steel forms. The use and replenishment of diamond drill bits(the strongest available, see KVHS 0280) was dependent on the "type" of rock found (harder rock required greater numbers of drill bits). Support beams for reinforced ceilings and floors was also a necessity.These rock core samples are very significant in the formulation and placement of the underground Power Stations and their maze of tunnels (in and out) for a successful implementation of the Hydro Scheme. The amount of pre-planning and engineering studies required for such a large scheme must be undertaken to ensure that a "white elephant" was not the result.There are nine columns of rock cores, each 30mm in diameter, set in a wooden display rack. A clear plastic (slide out) protective panel is installed to the front section. Within each column are block details of the depth from which that section was brought from. See KVHS for the appropriate sketch details.Depth levels (retrieved from) are shown for each section on wooden Blocks: 1st Block: "7'10" (seven feet, ten inches), 2nd Block:"9'4" (nine feet, four inches), 3rd Block: "19'3" (nineteen feet, three inches), 4th Block: "24'2" (twenty four feet, two inches), 5th Block: "25'7"( twenty five feet, seven inches) and last block: "30' (thirty feet)"alternate energy supplies, alpine feasibility studies temperature, rainfall, sec, kiewa hydro scheme, electricity

This framed sketch details, in graphic form, where the core samples in the display cabinet were removed. The drilling was a precursor to the decision where to locate, in this case, the McKay Creek Power Station. The information gained by structural engineers from the core samples would be used also for the placements of underground tunnels entry and exit points and the overall effective size of the plant. This would have included drill and blast techniques(rock characteristics play an import part of explosion control), requirements for support structures and reinforcing cement/steel forms. The use and replenishment of diamond drill bits(the strongest available, see KVHS 0280) was dependent on the "type" of rock found. Support beams for reinforced ceilings and floors was also a necessity.The visual derails of where the rock core samples were removed is very significant in the formulation and placement of the underground Power Stations and their maze of tunnels(in and out) for a successful implementation of the Hydro Scheme. The amount of pre-planning and scientific studies required for such a large scheme must be undertaken to ensure that a "white elephant" was not the result.This framed and glass front rock core display sketch has type written information of the rock samples displayed in KVHS 0279 (A). It has a softwood stained and glossed frame with a fixed(nailed) back board and a brass fixture for mounting onto a wall.The paper and type are slighted faded (sunlight affected). The sign heading "ROCK CORE SAMPLES RECOVERED FROM DIAMOND DRILLED BORE" underneath this "BORE NO: 883" and below this "LOCATION: McKAY CREEK POWER STATION AREA" to the left a sketch incorporating the ground level point "GROUND LEVEL R.L.3493", and the core depth point "CORE DEPTH 40' 7". In between and representing( in visual form) the core location areain question.alternate energy supplies, alpine feasibility studies temperature, rainfall, sec, kiewa hydro scheme, electricity

This testing voltmeter recorder was last certified by SEC Vic laboratories on the 17/4/77. It was used extensively as mobile recorder placed for periods of one month at locations experiencing unacceptable fluctuations of power. These locations would cover the North East regions of Victoria. They cover voltage drops at domestic and business properties especially those that were experiencing regular fluctuations(daily) at approximately the same time of the day. As the electrical network is required to operate within a set level of voltage, fluctuations outside of this has to be investigated and necessary remedial action taken. This is especially so for rural properties where power "drainage" can occur through animal/bird and tree interference. It can also be the result of defective wiring and overloading at peek operational times (milking machines).This mobile voltage recorder is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it highlights the difficulties that can occur in maintaining a power supply that experiences fluctuating power demands by the rural industries that it supplies. The requirement of a mobile testing apparatus to cover the various sections in the Kiewa Valley and other rural areas in the northeast region is one of necessity as electricity once connected to a rural property is a labour saving supply as generators on rural properties require a higher degree of maintenance an ultimately at a higher cost. The testing of the SEC Vic supplied electricity to rural properties,those who had previously run on generators, had to be quick and unassuming with certainty of correct supply levels.The mechanism of this voltage recorder has been installed(by the manufacturer) into its own protective wooden box. This box has a front (swing open) lockable section which permits direct access to the installed measuring equipment (for servicing and data collection). The top section of the box has two screw on terminals for access to the machine being tested. This tester has its own inbuilt ink supply facilities and a mechanical clockwork device that unwinds a roll of paper onto a second roll at a rate of 10 mm per hour. The recording chart is marked with time slots against voltage. There is a recording arm which has an ink pen at the end. Both arm and pen carry the ink supply from the ink reservoir, located on the left side of the cabinet door in specially constructed bottle holder( three small bottle capacity). To record a suspect power problem to a home or business establishment the voltmeter is connected to a power supply outlet being tested and wind the recording clockwork mechanism (gives a four week running time). Before leaving the recorder in situ the electrician checks to see if the chart is recording the correct voltage and that the clock mechanism is advancing correctly.On the front of the access "door" at the top a metal label "RECORDING AMMETER" below this "MURDAY SYSTEM" below this "ALTERNATING CURRENT" and below this the manufacturer's registered number "No. 139156" Below this is a metal tag with State Electricity Commission of Victoria Electrical Engineer's Section equipment number "338" Below these tags and above the viewing window is the manufacturer's dtails "EVERSHED & VIGNOLES Led LONDON"sec vic kiewa hydro scheme, alternate energy supplies, alpine feasibility studies temperature, rainfall, power outages