We raise horses with a number of heated waterers available for their use during the winter. We noticed the horses pulling back from the waterers, refusing to drink. I could not feel any stray electricity, as noted in the article on stray electricity. I measured the potential from the water to earth, and found it to be 300 milli-volts. When I checked with the power company, I was told that the "voltage" was well within their requirements. They did come out and verify that the 300 millivolts was also measured at the transformer supply. They had no suggestions for a fix.
I installed ground rods at each waterer, reducing the stray voltage to less than 10 millivolts. It corrected the problem, but raises the possibility of a neutral failure causing high voltage drop with the return to earth.
Didn't have any other solution, horses have to have water - even in the winter. Ray Floyd March 8 2011, 9:00 am EST
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