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From: dgustafs@eecs.wsu.edu (gustafson david s     - CS350)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Stray Voltage? on 60 Minutes
Keywords: ignorance, natural
Message-ID: <1991Apr10.212937.26105@eecs.wsu.edu>
Date: 10 Apr 91 21:29:37 GMT
Article-I.D.: eecs.1991Apr10.212937.26105
References: <3853@uc.msc.umn.edu> <10868@uwm.edu> <1991Apr9.222509.1188@colorado.edu> <10917@uwm.edu>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Washington State University
Lines: 24

In article <10917@uwm.edu> rick@ee.uwm.edu writes:
>As for the "old" lines...  A power company's responsibility for old wiring
>ends at the meter.  Almost all stray voltage problems are due to poorly-
>wired barn circuits.  And unless a farmer is using more amperage than his
>(or her) service is rated for, the imbalance caused by line reluctance will
>be negligible compared to the imbalances caused by the loads he/she puts on
>their circuits (which are, by the way, rarely in perfect balance and almost
>never under power company control).  Lines are built to last a LONG time.

I whole heartedly agree.  I grew up on a diary farm (not too many years
ago) and I can attest to the poor state of wiring on most dairy farms.  The
milking barn is wet and filled with corrosive elements; most electrical
installations are not protected well enough.  Even if the inital
installation is done correctly, there are allways modifications that are below
code.  Even on a modern farm (10 years old), I have felt leakage current on
several occasions; a result of broken or worn insulation conducting through
the stantions.  If I can feel it, certainly the cows can.  We now have a
meter installed that will detect stray voltage between the stantions and
earth ground.

Dave
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David Gustafson - EECS  Washington State University - dgustafs@yoda.eecs.wsu.edu
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