Page 28 - City of Cessnock Water Supply and Sewerage Service Utility

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The "Brittons" pump was a S2 single stage centrifugal type, which operated at
1430 revolutions per minute to produce 177 gallons per minute for a fifty (50)
feet lift. It was driven by a five (5) H.P. Crompton Parkinson squirrel-caged
electric motor (415 volts, 3 phase, 50 cycles).

Increased consumption demands in the Cessnock and adjacent areas required
a review of Neath Pumping Station. This review showed that of three pumps .in
the station Units No. and 2 which produced 250 gallons per minute were old
and on extended life. The No. 3 unit was at this date over 50 years old, it
had been a crude oil engine pump which had been converted to an electric drive.
The No. 3 unit had been updated on the 14th January, 1942. By the installation
of an Australian General Electric motor type R.S. 8930. This motor weighed
1,560 pounds on a 160 H.P. and operated at 1460 revolutions per minute. The
electric motor drove the pump by the use of fourteen (14) "V Belts" working
at 1370 revolutions per minute.· As a standby and to provide a backup an
additional 200H.P. A.G.E. electric motor was also provided. The review
recommended a new pump to produce 1800 gallons per minute for a lift of 308
feet. The review also recommended a new switchboard and sub-station to match
the existing three units and to provide for a future additional pump.

On 30th September, 1976 the Neath station Unit No. 3 was replaced by
a "Thompson" pump, which was transferred from Tomago to Neath. This pump had
an eight (8") inch suction and an eight (8") inch drive movementand operated
at 1600 revolutions per minute to produce 1800 gallons per minute for a 310 foot
lift. A "Crompton Parkinson" squirrel caged electric motor (415 volts, 3 phase,
50 cycles) was used to drive the pump. A new "Thompson" 1800 gallon per
minute pump was purchased in December 1978 to replace the second hand Tomago pump.
Also in September, 1976 a "Brittons" pump was utilised to convert an oil powered
pump to electric operation. The pump operated at 1460 revolutions .per minute to
produce 250 gallons per minute for a 320 feet lift. The "Brittons" was driven
by a "Crompton Parkinson" electric motor.

Neath No. 1 unit also received attendion by the installation of a new
"Thompson - Byron Jackson'' pump. H.D.W.B. contract No. 656 for a cost of
$12,101.00 authorised its purchase on the 27th April, 1977. The pump operated
at 1340 revolutions per minute to produce 400 gallons per minute for a 500
feet lift. It was driven byan A.G.E. motor (415 Volts, 3 phase, 50 cycles).