Recently the news media has associated the term “Stray Voltage” with any and all human and animal shocking complaints regardless of the source. More appropriately these are considered contact voltage concerns created when a human or an animal completes the current return path for a given voltage source capable of driving perceptible levels of current through the body.

All contact voltage concerns – including stray voltage in animal contact areas, elevated neutral to earth voltages (NEV) present at pools and hot tubs, and accidentally energized metallic objects have long been areas of concern and subjective interpretation for utilities, regulators and the public. Perceptible shocking concerns for humans and animals are the primary issue, while the sources of complaints range from induction of voltage onto metallic infrastructure such as conduits, shield wires, water lines, and gas lines – to unanticipated current paths created by grounding configurations and connection impedances. Even the use of harmonic generating electronic equipment such as variable speed drives, personal computers and residential appliances have been found to contribute to these elevated voltage potentials.

This session is designed to cover the history of the so called “stray voltage” related concerns, summarize research projects that have been completed and the ones that are ongoing, and discuss new standards development activities within the IEEE. Further the session will address approaches for characterizing problems, identifying the most effective solutions, and will discuss regulatory needs and requirements.

Speaker: Douglas Dorr EPRI PEAC