Course of the Schaghticoke-Schenectady transmission line through Mechanicville of the Schenectady Power Co. This Transmission line carries practically the entire output of the Schaghticoke power house to Schenectady, N.Y., a distance of approximately 21 miles. The line consists of two separate three phase 40 cycle, 32,000 volt circuits, each of 6,000 kw. normal capacity. These circuits start from the opposite ends of the power house, and, after crossing the Hossic River, are transferred by means of two terminal towers to a single line of transmission towers. The two circuits are carried on these on opposite ends of the cross arms, the three phases being superimposed. The power house ends of the line are held by six short quadrangular steel lattice work anchor poles with their bases firmly embedded in concrete, the cables being dead ended by General Electric disc strain insulators. This equipment is together with the lightning arrestor horn gaps and the heavy line outlet insulators mounted on the roof of the powerhouse.While each circuit carries only 6,000 kW under normal conditions, either is capable of carrying the entire output of the station; in this case, however, the line losses are necessarily augmented. This feature prevents any interruption of the service from the failure of one of the circuits. There are altogether 197 transmission towers, comprising several distinct types.

- Hawking Electrical Guide #5