Stray Voltage , energized grounds

buickanddeere · Nov 10, 2014

Here is a page with links that explain stray voltage rather well
and why the old over head triplex power supply has inherent
problems
.http://www.hydroone.com/MyBusiness/MyFarm/Pages/StrayV
oltage.aspx

John B. · Nov 10, 2014

Here's the website you mentioned.
Stray Voltage

Geo-TH,In · Nov 10, 2014

Back in the 60's I lived in a trailer while in college. It had a steel water line, a copper water line to trailer, 4 wire service. One day while disconnecting copper water line, I noticed a spark. So. I pulled the electric disconnect. Still had a spark. I measured 1 vac between trailer ground, which was grounded at the electric meter 20 ft away and the steel water line, which was over 100 ft long running to the road where it connected to the water main. After I reconnected water line ammprobe measured 1 amp in the copper water line. The owner of the trailer park, also a Rose Hulman EE grad, scratched his head and had no answer.

So, I've seen what you are talking about first hand.

John T · Nov 10, 2014

Thanks Glen, good info. What some lay gents may not realize or understand is that if you run a service from a main distribution panel out to an agricultural building used to house livestock, the Equipment Grounding Conductor is ran in parallel with the Hot ungrounded phase conductor(s) and due to capacitance and mutual inductance by the time it gets out there it may have a voltage potential HIGHER THEN MOTHER EARTH UPON WHICH OLD BOSSY IS STANDING AND SHE GETS A SHOCK OUCHHHHHHHHHHHH LOL

There are special applications and exceptions to the NEC for ag buildings housing livestock grounding which have to do with the problem you are discussing. Even if farmer Billy Bob doesn't like or agree with or know more then what the NEC says or there's no local authority or its NOT any requirement, I BET HIS COWS WOULD LIKE IT DONE PER THE NEC LOL

John T

RayP(MI) · Nov 10, 2014

A while back, out utility (Consumers Power) had a number of issues with poor/improper grounds in electrical systems on dairy farms. Took quite a while to get them resolved. Farmers were not happy. Cows were definitely not happy! Think some of the problems ended up in court before resolutions came about.

teddy52food · Nov 10, 2014

Page doesn't exist.

Pete in MD · Nov 10, 2014

Link:
Stray Voltage

mkirsch · Nov 10, 2014

Ok, I'm not sure I get the whole "overhead triplex" thing. It's the only option at the farm. The line coming from the road is overhead triplex, and isn't that where the trouble starts?

John T · Nov 10, 2014

MK, In my part of Indiana and about anywhere else where I've taken notice, Twisted Triplex, aerial or direct burial, is what I usually see for service from the utility provider to the customer. If I recall correctly (NO Warranty) I have heard about locations where an extra conductor is being added from the utility transformer to the customer which serves exclusively as a dedicated conductor for fault current.

John T

Geo-TH,In · Nov 10, 2014

John T,
I'm an old farm boy at heart, grew up on dairy. Like cows, when they have to relieve themselves, they do it where they are standing. Me too and I've yet to get a tingle when I tinkle. If I were should I be properly grounded or wear rubber boots?
George

Stray Voltage , energized grounds

buickanddeere

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John B.

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Geo-TH,In

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John T

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RayP(MI)

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teddy52food

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Pete in MD

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mkirsch

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John T

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Geo-TH,In

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