Bronze Age Gold from Wales

A slate DC control panel. The DC slate control panel was used in conjunction with the Rotary Converter, at Floor 5, Llechwedd. On the DC slate control panel there is a main isolator / circuit breaker; two voltmeters (one showing the rotary’s voltage, and the other showing the overhead lines output voltage); an ammeter (showing Pant yr Afon’s generated current); and a rotary rheostat voltage adjuster (see photograph).

The DC slate control panel was responsible for the input and output of the DC power generated on the system (at Pant yr Afon) to and from the Rotary Converter. A main control isolator / circuit breaker was used to bring the Rotary Converter into the system (i.e. distribute the power it generated to the main system). Two voltage sensitive coils would monitor any variation in the current, and would ‘trip’ the system if any variation occurred, therefore protecting the RC by isolating it from the system. The rheostat voltage adjuster would enable the operator to fine tune the voltage generated from the Rotary Converter. The rheostat itself is located behind the DC slate control panel.