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The Dangers of Stray Voltage
 

 

Topic - Stray Voltage
Subject -
The Dangers of Stray Voltage

March 3, 2011
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Dangers of Stray Voltage

By Jim Taricani
Published: February 24, 2011

Image1The NB C 10 I-Team reported that a New Jersey power company has identified more than 40 contact voltage locations in Providence, Rhode Island, that could potentially kill people and pets.

Contact voltage or stray voltage is voltage on an object that should not be energized such as lamp posts, manholes, gratings and junction boxes as well as sidewalks and adjacent buildings.

David Kalokitis, chief technical officer of Power Survey Co., said a pole located at Elmwood Avenue and Westfield Street gave off 113 volts. The voltage can be deadly to pets and people.

NBC 10's Jim Taricani: "Let me ask you this. It's the summer and someone's standing here barefoot and it was wet. They put their hand on that."

Kalokitis: "Bad news. Wet feet, you got the conductivity there because of the moisture. You put your hand on that, you got the contact to the ground, that's when you get shocked. One hundred thirteen volts, that's line voltage, the same as a wall socket in your house."

Read the full story, and watch the I-Team exclusive broadcast
.

 

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Comments
  • Not withstanding any safety concerns who is going to pay for all of this? This is some serious safety stuff especially when it is out in front of the general public to touch. Many years ago my company did some testing on metalic items along a new brick covered walkway. This was brought on by the fact that I was waiting in line to get into a popular dinner establishment and got tired after a hard day at work so I leaned on a lamp post. As I moved away from the lamp post my hand brushed across it and did I get a wake up call of about 112 volts.

    The local AHJ at the time did not consider it a problem plus he worked for the city where it happened. Guess what five years later I was the AHJ and went around testing various metalic devices along the street. Wow never new there could be so many problems but the city still did not want to spend the money to get it fixed.

    I got the local news involved and citizens came out of the wood work filing complaints and finally the items were repaired. Needless to say I was let go from my job shortly there after. I guess I caused a rather large expense for the city and they wanted me to move on so as to find nothing else that would cost them money. I would do it over again if I had the chance. I figure if you are not allowed or cannot do your job properly it is best to leave the job. There are many hot spots all around major citys and something should be done. I consider it a life safety issue.

    Mike  March 4 2011, 3:03 am EST

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