Stray Voltage Guide MREC 120917
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Stray Voltage Detection A SELF-HELP GUIDE FROm… Midwest Rural Energy Council Table of Contents 2 Introduction ........................................................................................................................3 What is Stray Voltage ........................................................................................................4 Types of Voltage Sources ..................................................................................................4 Causes of Stray Voltage ....................................................................................................4 Stray Voltage Detection ...................................................................................................5 Making Electrical Measurements ....................................................................................6 Recording Voltage Data.....................................................................................................7 Interpreting Voltage Data .................................................................................................7 Monitoring Stray Voltage ..................................................................................................8 Farm Wiring Checklist ......................................................................................................9 Data Collection Form ......................................................................................................10 Mission Statement ............................................................................................................11 Introduction 3 his publication is intended to give you a basic understanding of stray voltage, some of its common Tsources, how to determine if it exists on your farm at levels that may be harmful, and when to call for assistance to help reduce stray voltage levels. This document is not intended to make you a stray voltage expert, but should provide you with the information necessary to safely determine if a problematic level of stray voltage is present on your farm at locations that are accessible to your livestock. This booklet is specifically oriented toward the dairy farmer; however, most of the information provided is applicable to all livestock operations. The Farm Wiring Checklist, located on page 9, is included to assist you in visually inspecting your farm’s electrical system and noting potential stray voltage sources. A Data Collection Form is included on page 10 to help you record milkhouse and livestock area voltage measurements. In addition, this publication will suggest methods for monitoring stray voltage levels on your farm—a practice that is strongly recommended for all livestock operations. What is Stray Voltage? 4 WHAT IS STRAY VOLTAGE? the watering device and the adjacent necting metal objects) and ground- ow levels of AC (Alternating floor. It is important to note, howev- ing. It is recommended that you Current) voltage between er, that these same symptoms, as well identify the source of the voltage and Lgrounded conductors and as a number of other behaviors and continue to take voltage measure- conductive surfaces of a livestock health concerns can be the result of ments after improving bonding and confinement facility are a normal and numerous other non-electrical farm grounding. Continuing measurements unavoidable consequence of deliver- factors. will confirm that the changes made ing and using electricity. These volt- have successfully reduced the voltage ages are termed “stray voltage” when As a farm manager, you should inves- that animals may experience to an they can be measured between two tigate all possibilities, including stray acceptable level, and will also help objects that may be simultaneously voltage, when attempting to resolve to ensure continuing farm electrical contacted by animals. Occasionally, a behavioral, production, or health safety. stray voltage levels are significant problem. enough to be felt by you as a “tin- Symptoms present, but no tingle gling” sensation. This publication sensation is felt concentrates exclusively on measur- TYPES OF SOURCES Livestock may feel voltages not ing and minimizing AC voltages. t is important to make a distinc- sensed by humans because an ani- Small levels of DC (Direct Current) tion between low-level stray mal’s exposure conditions are differ- voltage from naturally occurring Ivoltage which is a normal and ent than that of a human. Animal sources (galvanic action of metals in unavoidable consequence of using contact voltage measurements should contact with the soil) is also present electricity, and the more hazardous be taken if livestock exhibit avoidance on farms, but these small DC voltages voltages related to electrical faults. behaviors. This publication will help pose no risk to farm animals. you make your own voltage measure- Personal Shock ments to determine the level of stray REPORTED SYMPTOMS If you experience a painful shock voltage on your farm, and whether wide variety of symptoms when you touch a metal object in corrective action might be required. have been attributed to stray the barn, it is likely that there is a If you are unsure how to take these A voltage, although relatively severe fault in your electrical system. measurements, you can ask for as- few of these have been confirmed Your animals may also be exposed to sistance from your electric service in controlled studies. The effects of excessive voltage levels, depending supplier. excessive stray voltage exposure on on the location of the fault. These farm animals are all “behaviorally conditions are hazardous and could CAUSES OF STRAY mediated.” In other words, animals result in serious personal injury or VOLTAGE show avoidance behaviors in areas start a fire. Call an electrician or your ome level of stray voltage will where contact with excessive voltage electric service provider if you receive always be present, even on a is perceived as annoying or painful. an electrical shock on your farm. Sproperly wired farm. Voltage is This may appear as reluctance to developed on the grounded neutral cross building thresholds where a Tingle Sensation system as the result of load current significant ‘step’ potential (voltage If you feel low-voltage “tingling” flowing through the resistance of the between front to rear hooves of a when you touch equipment in the grounded-neutral network. This volt- cow) may be present; or reluctance barn, it is possible that your live- age is typically made up of several to drink at watering devices at which stock may be experiencing a similar voltage sources acting simultaneous- a significant ‘touch’ potential (volt- sensation. Tingle from metal objects ly. Both on-farm and off-farm sources age between the watering device and frequently can be eliminated through may contribute to the level of stray the floor) may be present between better bonding (electrically intercon- voltage present. Stray Voltage Detection 5 A common on-farm source of stray Off-farm voltage sources may also be a voltmeter to measure the voltage voltage is the inappropriate intercon- present on your farm. If requested, between two points that may be nection of equipment grounding con- your electric service provider will simultaneously contacted by livestock. ductors with the neutral conductors of conduct an investigation (usu- the farm wiring system. The ground- ally at no charge) using controlled, CAUTION: For your own safety, ing conductor is intended to ground standardized test procedures to do not attempt to make electrical metal equipment and should never be determine to what extent electri- measurements on electrical wiring one of the conductors used to supply cal distribution facilities or other or within electrical boxes or power. The neutral, or other conduc- off-farm sources contribute to stray cabinets unless qualified to do so. tors supplying power, should never voltage levels. If an abnormal volt- be connected to the metal case of age from the distribution system is SUITABLE VOLTMETER equipment or be interconnected with found, your electric service provider Many of the voltmeters in use today the grounding conductor at any point will take action to help reduce the can give you misleading readings other than the main electric service level of stray voltage on your farm. because of the manner in which they panel for the building. are constructed and the voltage levels STRAY VOLTAGE they are intended to measure. A suit- Other on-farm contributors to stray DETECTION able voltmeter must not be affected voltage levels include: ou can detect the presence by DC voltage when operating on • Unbalanced 120-volt loads (includ- of stray voltage on your farm the AC scale. The meter should also ing loads in the house and other Ysafely and easily by using “screen out” low level voltage sources buildings) that increase current on neutral conductors • Corroded or loose electrical con- nections anywhere on the neutral conductor • Missing or inadequate grounding systems • The normal operation of large elec- trical equipment (such as welders, motors, pumps and conveyors) in remote areas of the barn or other Wire buildings Double Nuts Banana The degree to which these sources Plug Banana contribute to stray voltage levels Plugs depends upon many factors including the layout of the farm wiring system 500-Ohm Resistor 500-Ohm Resistor and relative strength of the source. A FIGURE 1: FIGURE 2: visual inspection checklist of poten- Digital Voltmeter with 500-ohm, Analog Voltmeter with 500-ohm, tial on-farm