Federation University Historical Collection
Object, Synchronome Co. Ltd, Synchronome Frequency Checking Master Clock No. 2191, c1930
Information from Norman F. Dalton:
Ballarat had a reticulated DC supply in the early part of last century and in 1905 had sufficient generating capacity to enable the trams to be changed from horse drawn to DC electricity. The use of electricity increased with the main power station located on Wendouree Parade, near Webster Street, under the ownership of The Electric Supply Company of Victoria. AC generating plant was installed in 1925 and conversion to AC proceeded.
In 1934 the company was taken over by the State Electricity Commission Victoria (SECV) and more AC generation was installed and the changeover of customers was accelerated.
This is around the time that the Synchronome Frequency Checking Mast Clock was installed at the Wendouree Parade Power Station.
The SECV Annual Report of 1921 states:
::Section 11 of the act directed the COmmission to enquire into the question of securing the adoption of such standards of plant and equipment of a system, frequency and pressure for the generation and distribution of electricity as will admit of the efficient interconnection of undertakings throughout the State.
In 1934 when the SECV took over the Ballarat operations the question of linking with the State grid had been a planned operation for some years but due to financial considerations had hindered it and in fact would continue to do so for a further 10 years. So while the need for close frequency control for interconnection was hardly an issue, the need to keep electric clocks correct was important, particularly as this item was a frequent sales point to cover the inconvenience and sometimes expense of converting from DC to AC.
The clock is a very accurate pendulum clock with provision for varying effective length during operation for precise time regulation. There are two normal time dials and one is controlled by the pendulum and the other is operated by the system frequency.
When the clock was in use it was installed by the MEter and Tests Laboratory and the time was checked daily by radio time signals. The two dials were repeated in the operators control panel in the Power Station.
A maximum deviation between the two dials was set in the operating instructions (eg 5 seconds) and the operator would correct this when necessary by remote manual alteration of the turbine governor set point.
The clock was used to drive and regulate a system of "slave" clocks which were used to display the time in various locations around the power station. A slave clock is a simple clock which is driven by a small electric motor, its accuracy is regulated by the master clock every 30 seconds to ensure that it and all the other slave clocks in the station are on exactly the right time; slave clocks were placed in various locations, from common rooms to workshops. A master clock could potentially run thousands of slave clocks at one plant.
The clock also contains a rectifier. A rectifier is a device that is used to convert AC power to more stable DC current.Two clocks in a timber case. Both are electric, one is powered by the main pendulum mechanism, the other is a self contained electric clock. The main mechanism is of the gravity arm and roller type, which sends an impulse to the slave clocks every 30 seconds. The This Synchronome Frequency Checking Master Clock was used at the Ballarat Power Station.
Below the main section of the case is a smaller cabinet containing a rectifier to provide consistent DC power for the clock. The rectifier was made by the Victorian company Hilco, which was located in Burwood. There is a high chance this is not the original rectifier from this clock as there appears to be brackets to hold a larger device in the space the rectifier occupies.Front below main clock face on front of case: "Patented Sychronome Brisbane"
Lower left-hand clock face: "Frequency time"
Lower right-hand clock face: "Standard Seconds"
Synchronous electric clock mechanism on door (Frequency time clock): >200/250 V. 50~
>"Synchronomains" Made in England
>Direction indicator for clock starting switch
>"To start move lever in direction of arrow and release"
>"Patent applied for"
Mechanism for "standard seconds" clock: >"English Made"
>"Patented"
>Serial number "321"
>0 above right-hand pillar on front-plate
Mechanism for "standard seconds" clock: >"English Made"
>"Patented"
>Serial number "321"
>0 above right-hand pillar on front-plate
Mechanism for main clock face: >"English Made"
>"Patented"
>Serial number "8751"
>0 above right-hand pillar on front-plate
Inside case, back panel, top enamel plate: >Seconds Battery + Pos.
> Battery Common or - Neg.
>1/2 min dials
Inside case, back panel, bottom enamel plate: external seconds dial
Inside case, right hand side, electrical knobs: two switches, both "A.C. mains"
Pendulum rod, below suspension spring: Serial number (?) 0000005
Rectifier in bottom cabinet: >"Hilco Rectifier"
>"A.C. Volts 230/240"
>"Model 1060/S"
>"A.C. Amperes"
>"Serial No. 1060/S
>"Phases 1"
>"D.C. Volts 6"
>"C.P.S. 50"
>"D.C. Amperes 1"
>"Made in Australia by Hilco Transformers McIntyre St., Burwood, Victoria."
Bakelite electrical plug: makers mark
Lower cabinet, RH side panel, pressed tin plate: "AC" (upside down)
Brass speed adjustment, outer right RH side: "S" and "F"
Ivory and wood pendulum beat ruler: >Ruler, with 0 in centre and numbers 1-5 in ascending order from centre on left and right.
> "Synchronome Patent."
Steel plate, back panel, inside case, right hand side: >N R A" (descending)
>"2191" serial number/part number
Face of main clock: "Synchronome Electric"
synchronome frequency checking master clock, electricity, state electricity commission, wendouree parade power station, secv, clock, time, pendulum, electric supply company of victoria, norman f. dalton, ballarat power station, rectifier, slave clock
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