Electric shovels

The use of electric drive on power shovels has been increasing very rapidly during the past few years, especially in open-pit coal and iron mines. Probably no class of industrial equipment has been the subject of such radical changes in design in the past two or three years. For this reason, more than any other, it is probable that the ultimate users, in general, are less familiar with the highly developed electrical apparatus available for their purposes than is the case in any other branch of industry. On account of the unusual conditions encountered, the electrical equipment must be of a very special nature. This article shows the reasons for the large increase in this business, discusses the special requirements of the service, and explains the characteristics and advantages of the various types of equipment available.