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From: dwm@msc.edu (Don Mears)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Stray Voltage? on 60 Minutes
Message-ID: <3853@uc.msc.umn.edu>
Date: 8 Apr 91 20:58:12 GMT
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Reply-To: dwm@msc.edu (Don Mears)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Minnesota Supercomputer Center, Minneapolis, MN
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Can someone explain what they were talking about on 60 minutes on 4/7
in the piece on stray voltage from old power lines that caused
dead and deformed animals, and shocks to people?  These did not look like
high voltage power lines, just  normal ~10kv distribution lines. 

The information was presented as though it was all black magic with
no scientific explanations.   A format usually reserved for nuclear
issues.

The problem must be related to insulator breakdown somewhere or power
radiated from power lines through the air to other structures.  I don't
understand why it is not trival to measure.   I don't understand why
the farmers involved can't circumvent the problem with additional shielding, 
grounding, or insulation.   I don't understand why replacing the
just power lines without rerouting them fixes the problem. 

I believe that this problem exists, but the 60 Minutes presentation
made no sense to me.   
dwm@msc.edu         Donald W. Mears @ Minnesota Supercomputer Center