What is Stray Voltage?
The term stray voltage has been used for
the past 40 years to describe a special case of voltage
developed on the grounded neutral system of a farm. If this
voltage reaches sufficient levels, animals coming into contact
with grounded devices may receive a mild electrical shock
that can cause a behavioral response. At voltage levels
that are just perceptible to the animal, behaviors indicative
of perception such as flinches may result with little change
in normal routines. At higher levels avoidance behaviors
may result.
The term stray voltage is often applied incorrectly to
other electrical phenomena such as electric fields, magnetic
fields and most recently electric current flowing in the
earth. These phenomena are generally referred to as
EMF or Electric and Magnetic Fields. The
physiological interactions with these phenomena are different
than the mild shock associated with stray voltage. For more
information on EMF and other electrical exposures, go to
the EMF Page.
The following is a broad range of information
resources intended to increase your understanding of
stray voltage. Should you have information
to contribute to this Web page, please contact the MREC
at mrec@uwex.edu..
News And Research
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Organizations
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MREC And Other Publications
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EPRI Stray Voltage Programs, Doug Door, EPRI-PEAC
(Presentation from the 2006 MREC Rural Energy Conference)
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Idaho Power's Stray Voltage Program, Paul Ortmann,
Electrical Engineer (Presentation from the 2005 MREC
Rural Energy Conference)
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Stray Voltage - Regulation Versus Litigation, Paul
Ortmann, Electrical Engineer (Presentation from the
2005 MREC Rural Energy Conference)
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Earth Current Research Update, Douglas Reinemann,
Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
(Presentation from the 2005 MREC Rural Energy Conference)
- Equipotential
Planes for Stray Voltage Reduction: Installation Guidelines
- Planning Electrical
Systems for Dairy Expansion
- Stray Voltage
Detection: A Self-Help Guide
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The Anatomy of a Stray Voltage / Earth Current Trial
from an Engineer's Perspective [Presentation
given at 2004 MREC Conference]
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Educating Veterinarians on Stray Voltage [Presentation
given at 2004 MREC Conference]
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Update on Pennsylvania Stray Voltage Conference,
Dick Reines [Presentation given at 2004 MREC Conference]
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Making Measurements on the Farm, Chuck Forster [Presentation
given at 2004 MREC Conference]
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Installation and Operation of Fencers, Cow Trainers
and Crowd Gates
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Capacitors and Capacitive Electrical Filters, Mark Raabe
Publications
National (NRAES)
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MREC Conference Presentations
Ontario Energy Board Tingle Voltage Review Process and
Results, Stephen Cain, Ontario Energy Board. Presented at the 2009 MREC
Conference
Induced Voltage on Electric Fences, Paul Ortmann,
Idaho Power Company.
Presented at the 2009 MREC Conference
"Stray Voltage" Legislative and Regulatory Activity, Chuck
DeNardo, WE Energies. Presented at the 2009 MREC Conference
A Veterinarian's Field Experience, John Marks, D.V.M. Presented at the 2009 MREC Conference
Three Phase Load Box Test, Tom Seidl, WE Energies.
Presented at the 2009 MREC Conference
ATC & LDC NEV Coordination Efforts, Randy Karls, Pete
Hamacher & Henry Reynolds. Presented at the 2009 MREC Conference
Effects of Stray Voltage on Behaviour, Stress Physiology and
Production Parameters of Sheep and Dairy Cows, Karin Rigalma. Presented at
the 2009 MREC Conference
Update on Michigan Stray Voltage Cases and Qualification of
Experts under Dubert Standard, Julie Lam, Warner Norcross & Judd.
Presented at the 2009 MREC Conference
Measuring Animal Resistance and the Components of the
Cow Contact Circuit, Doug Reinemann, University
of Wisconsin- Madison (2007)
Activities of the IEEE Working Group on Voltages at
Publicly and Privately Accessible Locations
Using
the PMI for Stray Voltage Investigations, Ricky
Evants, Power Monitors, Inc (PMI); and Pete Engstrom,
WE Energies
DC Voltage and Transient Measurement and Animal
Sensitivityy, Chuck Forster, Phasor Labs; and
Doug Reinemann, UW-Madison (2007)
Review
of Research on DC Electrical Exposure, Doug
Reinemann, UW-Madison (2007)
Transmission Under-Build and Stray Voltage Issues,
Mark Cook, PSCW; Robert Fick, Alliant Energy; and
Richard Reines, PSC (2007)
Anatomy of a
Stray Voltage Trial, Rodrick Lewis, DVM, JD,
Warner Norcross & Judd, LLP. (2007)
Review of Measurement Methods for Urban Stray
Voltage Investigation. Chuck DeNardo, WE
Energies (2007)
Stray Voltage Measurement Workshop, Chuck
Forster,
Phasor
Labs (2005)
Earth Current Research Update, Douglas Reinemann,
PhD., University of Wisconsin-Madison and
Milking Research and Instruction Lab (2005)
Accomplishments of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission,
Dick Reines (2003)
Updates on Recent Legal Developments in Stray Voltage,
Keith Tinsey (2003)
Final Report on Earth Current Measurements, David
Alumbaugh (2003)
Overview of Stray Voltage Instrumentation [Part 1],
Chuck Forster (2003)
Overview of Stray Voltage Instrumentation [Part 2],
Chuck Forster (2003)
Automated Meter Reading,
Al Herrman
A Veternarian's Perspective on Stray Voltage, John
R. Roberts, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade
and Consumer Protection (2003)
Demonstration of Common Electrical Measurement Errors,
Richard Reines, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (2002)
Stray Voltage Complaint to the MI Public Service Commission
James M. Schrandt, Agricultural Services Director (2001)
Articles:
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