Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Stray voltage part 1...

Stray voltage is electricity that has found its way into the ground and is traveling to the nearest sub station or to the nearest set of buildings. Stray voltage is NOT something that is 'just in our heads'. Cattle and people are severely impacted by this and it can even be deadly. For cattle it takes YEARS off of their lives and the production they loose is beyond making up for. Because a cow has 4 legs it has 4 points of contact when stray voltage is present. Because cement is a carrier for electricity, a cow get shocked standing in her stall tied to a metal stanchion. Now don't get me wrong, its not usually a shock that will flatten them out but its enough to make them uncomfortable. Stray voltage is also called transient voltage, because it is traveling in the ground. Electricity travels on the top of cement not 'through' it. I am sure you have all seen the substations in the country with the big transformers etc. Well, have you ever noticed that they are on a heavy bed of gravel and not on cement? That's because if they were on cement there would be so much electricity on them that when people stepped on them they would be fried. The gravel breaks up the electrical current so that it will not 'connect' on the cement. Electricity, once its produced never dissipates unless it is used. Electricity that is not used is disposed of in the ground or lost through bad wiring at times OR will be lost on the power company's ground wires.. whether they tell you that or not. Wiring on a farm can be a big issue, however unless it is VERY OLD its the power company's fault that there is to much electricity. Our argument with the power company has been this, if they are sending to much power or power is finding its way to 'wherever' why not put a second line going back to the power company so that its not wasted or 'lost' as stray voltage. I feel, and this is strictly my opinion - that they get the power back one way or the other. If a line is put in, then the farmer/homeowner/whomever could then put a meter back on the power pole and charge the company for the power they are returning....if there is no line the unused power always finds its way back to the 'sub stations' or farmers/homeowners etc. Any questions so far? I wont go any further right now, because I want to make this part clear before we go any further..


My Aunt Annie wanted me to post a picture of me when I was pregnant with Big Son, but I dont have one handy - however I do have one of me the day before Lispy was born.. We were cleaning out part of my brother in laws shed... I look like - God knows what I looked like, other than tired out, fat, crabby, fat, hungry and fat....


I have the I am going to kill you when I can move fast enough look on my face dont I? or is it the have pitty on a fat woman face? Or perhaps the my God my hair look - yup, I think its that one.. my God my hair... and the sun is in my face you moron is my thought, that much I remember... *snicker* The Milk Man took this picture, he has a thing about seeing the fruits of his labors.... the whole 5 minute it took to get me in this shape.

13 comments:

Mrs. Mom said...

I have heard about stray voltage causing all sorts of problems in people, animals, dwellings, etc. REALLY looking forward to where this is going Heidi.

We used to trim three horses who were pastured in a field with high voltage lines running through it. You could hear the humming, snapping, and cracking of the lines ALL the time, and I always wondered if it was affecting the horses in any way. One gelding was not overly sound, and we watched him become less and less sound from arthritic changes (my supposition here) to his joints. His whole attitude was incredibly depressing to watch decline. Broke my heart.

And Heidi, sister of mine that I claim SO lovingly, you look wonderful. You glow when you're bred. And I bet you glow now too, being a wonderful Mom!! And Milk Man- take note here- give the girl MORE than five minutes now and again eh? She deserves it!! hehehe

Much love to you guys!! And smooch those babies from me please!!!

Heide said...

Let's skip the stray voltage discussion and get straight to that "5 minutes" work by the MilkMan part. Knowing that Grandma reads your blog means that I won't ask for details; however, I do hope that the 5 minutes doesn't include showering you with candy and other pre-bedroom (or hayloft,etc.) activities. It takes a long time to woo a girl like you, right?

Heidi said...

Truth be told - I AM EASY!! I waited for 22 years for this man and I have to make up for all we didnt do before we were married!! LOL AND as far as taking more than 5 minutes for this, I will plead the fifth except for this.....he's good....

Miss Annie Sew and Sew said...

Stop that talk. Your poor Auntie reads your blog too. 5 minutes. Please. What the heck did he do the other 4??????. I do believe he took longer with Milk Dud; He's pretty cute. Any longer, you would have litters instead of singles.

WudWerkr said...

anytime we can talk about charging the poer company back for anything you have my attention .

as far as 5 minutes is concerned , and im only man here right now , well so far . Have to take exception to the talk , 5 minutes sheesh , you girls cant make up yer mind in 5 minutes ! So we KNOW it took longer than that ! "walks out mumblein" sassy troublemakin spoilt rotten

Ye Merrie Quilter said...

I was thinking it was the "You think this is worth photographing? Are you kidding me??"
My hubby's an engineer (studied a little bit of electrical engineering, structural engineering, but specializes in manufacturing), so I'll ask him about the electricity. Generally, the power lines aren't bad unless they're inadequately maintained.
Karen

Heidi said...

YMQ...that would be great if you would ask him! There are so many things that we dont know as 'lay people' of electricity. BUT - I do know that power companys LIE like dogs on cold winter night. Lines leak power and surges cause problems especially on the end of a 'line' which is where most stray voltage occurs from what we have learned.. and guess where we are - the end of the line. in more ways than one! *snicker*

Suzanne said...

I never knew about stray voltage. Yikes!

Hey, you look really cute there...about to give birth. How dare they work you like a dog the day before?

- Suzanne

Karen Deborah said...

Sometimes girl you almost leave me speechless. I said almost! We already know you have red blood in your veins and if it was just 5 minutes you wouldn't be so hot to trot. He's got you figured out! You know sometimes my husband and I talk about how cool it is that God blesses sex in marriage. Nobody ever says anything but maybe we should? Angelina Jolie won't let Brad near her anymore, so much for the Hollywood routine. They all go bad.
But us? I say us because I'm still crazy about my husband after 22 years of marriage, his kissin makes my knees weak. THAT is a God thing! Only the God in heaven can make us love each other like that and bless our bedrooms. People who don't know God just don't know what they are missing!

Now on the OTHER subject of your post, stray voltage. This is probably a stupid question. I am a simple person. I know nothing about farming. If cows are shocked on cement why not keep them on the grass? Dirt floors? You know the Amish look smarter all the time don't they?

I do know that the power companies are mandated to purchase any useable power you can send back to them. You may have a "gold" mine there if you can harness this and return it to them. Another blessing?

Big Hair Envy said...

FIVE MINUTES??? Impressive....

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Wow...I do believe you are headed with this story what people are screaming about the next county over!! That power company is denying the customers proper answers and they've a 'monopoly' of sorts, as the people's only choice is them or now power!
You look gorgeous for just about hatching!!!

DayPhoto said...

You are a cute Momma!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

interesting

You look cute in that photo