A2&—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 14,1981 being a production problem within dairy farms are affected by stray the past five years. Shenk, who voltage (others say only 20 per claims to be the first dealer in cent). Lancaster County and the eastern “Stray voltage is un- U.S. to be aware of the problem, predictable,” he says. “Bams may contends that 50 to 60 percent of the experience it for an hour, and then Cows can be subjected *o the annoying affects of stray voltage while standing in or around the milking parlor or in milking stalls, making the milking experience an unhappy one. The shaded areas show the most common contact points carrying the misguided current to the cow, as depicted by the Western Regional Agricultural Engineering Services circular, Milking Parlor Metal Structures-to-Earth Voltages. Stray voltage (Continued from Page Al) it will be gone for a day or two. The problem seems to be related to the load demand on power lines and weather conditions.” When asked if stray voltage seems to flare up more on humid days, Shenk replies stray voltage crops up in any kind of weather “We can get zero readings on damp, dreary days.” According to Fairbank ,and Crame, stray voltage problems “seem to occur most often in areas where soil conductivity is and low-resistance grounds are dif ficult to attain, and under extended drought conditions when all surrounding soil is unusually dry.” “Although the neutral is In a technical explanation of required by code to be properly what possible electrical problems grounded, it may not be at ‘earth’ may exist to create the stray potential elsewhere due to voltage situation, the researchers grounding resistance. The parlor stated; concrete floor and floor grates are “A voltage potential semi- normally at local earth potential. A continuous but sometimes tran- ‘grounded’ neutral may have a sient may exist between dairy voltage sensed by an animal I mt I VIVK* 2 CtOUM) + -4,.,., 1 \?s IV 1 .A© E V -O—tAt- JA*TH fOTtNIUI . 0) «Lft«M TO riAtfWM VOITACC WHENCE Wim »ISTANCE FIX CONOtCTI fIAfFO«M QHU ® wv\ Researchers indicate the best solution to stray voltage/current problems in the milking parlor is the creation of an “equipotential plane” by electrically bonding metal com* ROHRER'S ARE DISTRIBUTORS FOR BANVEL For post-emergence weed control on com... Donvelherbicide... ...clone or tank-mixed with 2,4-0 (depending on your weed problem): ...to control tough, lote germinating broadleof weeds. ...to cover misses of pre-emergence herbicide application, ...to get control where weather or other factors moke earlier application impossible. P, L. ROHDES & 800., INC. SMOKETOWN, PA metallic structures or equipment and cow standing surface The voltages may be alternating current, direct current, or both, superimposed.” The researchers noted even milking parlors that are properly wired to meet modem electrical code requirements still can have small voltages that annoy animals. “These voltages exist between the metal structures that are bonded to electical neutral and earth. Feeders, stalls, pipes, framework and other metal ob jects are normally connected to the electncl neutral. kO»EO to ’ MuriAi 4 fiAifotXr CIOUNO I 1 lONOEO MflAi MESH IOtnrOKNTUI nANF portents, steel posts, framing and concrete reinforcing. Reinforcing lap joints and grate frames should be welded, too. standing on concrete or steel ‘earth’.’’ Fair bank and Craine pointed <r‘ research has shown electric stress will stop daily heifers from drinking water for eight hours on a hot summer day. Since mUk is 86 percent water, cows that aren’t drinking won’t be producing their potential. Reports also indicate voltages as low as 0.3 volts are felt to cause anxiety in cows during milking. The pair of researchers ex plained the primary source of stray current is voltage dif ferentials. When water systems, electical conduits, machinery frames, metal walls and dairy parlor stall hardware are connected to the electrical neutral, there will be no voltage difference between them, thus insuring safety. However, Fairbank and Craine stressed there may be a neutral-to-earth voltage. “Different voltages may be (Turn to Page A 27) rat* ...to moke sure that late weeds cannot mature to become the nursery for next year's weed crop. Ask us for opplicotion details about Bonvel herbicide... from Velsicol. Note: Before using any pesticide, read the label. PH: 7X7-299-2571 —trundle. note • «*w«e .WUH ' MnO - :mUH w«M»< )
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