Ergon Energy Network has brought two pressure gauges back into service nearly 70 years after they were first used at the former Glenmore Road Power Station in Rockhampton.
General Manager Field Delivery Southern Max Hogan said the instruments are testament to the old saying: “they don’t make ‘em like they used to.”
“These gauges were originally used in the Rockhampton Power Station that opened in 1952,” Max said.
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“That generator was decommissioned in 1978 and demolished in 1990 but we managed to save these gauges and have them calibrated.”
“It’s amazing how accurate they are after all this time. They’ve been tested up to 431psi by a third-party technical advisor – well above the Australian Standards for mechanical pressure gauges.”
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The refurbished gauges are connected to the compressed air system at a new workshop that’s part of a new $3.8million oil handling facility at Ergon’s Glenmore Road Depot.
We use compressed air for a whole range of purposes in the workshop – power tools, pumps and cleaning and monitoring the pressure is really important,” Max said.
“Not only are the gauges functional, but they’re a beautiful piece of kit that really showcase the heritage and history of the electricity industry in Rockhampton.”