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Stray Voltage Videos

This section presents seven videos on stray voltage, what it is, how it originates, and the parts for conducting a stray voltage investigation.

Introduction: What is stray voltage and where does it come from? – Stray voltage describes a low-level voltage present on the grounded neutral network of all farm electrical systems. This video introduces what stray voltage is, how and where it is generated, and the importance of stray voltage investigations.

Animal responses to stray voltage exposure – What are the voltage thresholds under which animals become aware of the current, start feeling discomfort, and change behaviors? This video responds to these questions.  

Components of a stray voltage investigation – There are three main components of a stray voltage investigation: Measurement of the animal contact voltage levels, measurement of utility neutral voltage, and measurement of the farm grounded neutral system. This video describes the details of these three main components.

The cow contact measurement – The animal (or cow) contact measurement is the most important part of the stray voltage investigation because it tells us what the animals are actually exposed to. This video expands on the principles of this measurement.

Exposure locations: Watering devices, feeding locations, milking, and building transitions – The most common place for animals to come into contact with voltage is at watering devices as water systems are usually connected to the farm’s grounded neutral system. This video presents the different locations where stray voltage is more likely to be present.

Other electrical phenomena – Stray voltage is not the only electrical exposure at the farm. In this video, learn what are these electrical exposures and the differences with stray voltage.

What should I do about stray voltage? Investigation, regulations, and mitigation – If you think you might have a stray voltage problem on your farm, always start with voltage measurements at animal contact locations. Information on how you, or your electrician, can conduct cow contact measurements is available at the Midwest Rural Energy Council Website www.mrec.org.  

Agricultural Wiring Handbook

The MREC has agreed to host the Agricultural Wiring Handbook created and previously distributed by Richard S. Hiatt, President and Executive Manager of the Rural Electricity Resources Council, Inc.
Below you can download the updated the Handbook, 2024 18th Edition.

DOWNLOAD the Agricultural Wiring Handbook 2024 18th Edition

MREC Brochures

The MREC has developed a number of publications on rural energy issues. The following brochures are from 8 to 20 pages long and provide detailed coverage of the subject matter.  For orders of 500 or more copies of one brochure, the brochures may be special printed with your logo attached. If you would like a single copy or would like to review these MREC publications are available for download by clicking the following links.

MREC Informational Sheets

These short, one page informational sheets give a brief overview of a specific subject.  These informational sheets can be downloaded for you to get up to speed quickly on some frequently asked questions.  The MREC encourages you to distribute these documents in electronic or printed format to anyone with a question.

MREC Member Organization’s newsletters

Several members of MREC publish their own newsletters. These are listed below:

MREC Peer Reviewed Papers

  • The Role of Anaerobic Digestion and Solar PV to Achieve GHG Neutrality in a Farm Setting, Energies, DOI 10.3390/en15061975 

Other Publications

Publications, papers and presentations from past conferences, MREC member contributions, and other sources are also available under “Topics in Rural Energy” on the Home Screen, the Footer Menu, and Header Menu.

Visit the Archives for material from past conferences

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