November / December, 2001
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Electrical Safety Check - |
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Farmers have grown accustomed to a reliable supply of electricity to accomplish their tasks. However, when a problem in the distribution of electricity occurs, it can cause loss of production as well as a potential safety hazard to animals and humans.
The electrification of farms has spawned many innovations that are considered standard features on farms today. In particular, a dairy farm is a good example of where a reliable energy source and mechanization makes many difficult tasks routine. Two of these tasks, refrigerated on-farm milk storage and the milking machine, were recently ranked as "Outstanding Agricultural Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century" by the ASAE. Refrigerated on-farm milk storage reduces the risk of pathogens in the milk supply as well as prolonging the shelf life of dairy products resulting in improved farm income and improved public health security. The milking machine has improved the labor efficiency of harvesting milk by as much as ten-fold*. On a typical dairy farm, these tasks take place every day, 24 hrs per day.
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A simple electrical measurement in the milk house can be a quick and easy way to identify some potential electrical problems. In this case, the milk inspector will take a reading of the open circuit AC voltage (VAC) measured between the milk bulk tank and the floor drain or floor adjacent to the drain. The milk inspector will then record the reading and report it to the farmer using a form created within a new informative brochure called Electrical Safety Check.
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What does the reading mean? A reading of one volt may be an expected reading. It is typical to have a small voltage present when 120 VAC loads are running. If the reading is greater than two volts or if the farmer is concerned about a potential voltage condition, the farmer is encouraged to contact their power supplier for a free evaluation. The customer service phone numbers for electrical power suppliers in Michigan are also contained within the new brochure. If the reading is greater than ten volts, it is likely there is an electrical ground fault or wiring problem. In this case, the farmer should contact a licensed electrician and their power supplier immediately to correct a potential electrical safety hazard. The Electrical Safety Check program is intended as an annual campaign to remind dairy farmers to be vigilant regarding the need for electrical safety on their farm. If anyone wishes further information regarding the program, please contact Keith Tinsey at the MAEC (517) 353-0643 or on the MAEC web site at www.egr.msu.edu/age/. |
* Resource Engineering and Technology for a Sustainable World, Vol. 7, No. 5
Agricultural Engineering
Michigan State University
A.W. Farrall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1323
(517) 355-4720
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