[LB062196], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Amédée Louis Charles Arthur Vernes, January 9th, 1896
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB062196
Transcription
Jan. 9th, 1896, Amedse [Arnedi] Vernes, Esq., 11 Avenue Trudaine, Paris, France. My Dear Sir: - I duly received your favor of the 20th. December, attaching certain questions from your Cousin, Mr. Cambefort, which I have carefully considered, and to which I will reply seriatim, so far as I am able to do so. In answer to question #1 I would say, Yes, but devices are adopted to prevent electrolytic action on gas and water pipes. The electrolytic effect on telegraph and telephone lines is nothing. They are only bothered by the induction in the case of the telephone lines, where they do not use the metallic circuit. In answer to question #2 I would say that better bonding and [longer?] and larger rails has diminished the effect to practically nothing. In answer to question #3 I cannot say positively, as some [illegible] have no trouble at all, due to electrolytic action. In answer to question #4 I would say that I am not informed [as to?] this. In answer to question #5 I would say that owing to bad bond- ing most cities have greater differences of potential than one volt. If reduced to this the effect would be practically nothing. With kindest regards, believe me, Yours very truly, Thomas A Edison