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Ground Voltage Detector Remembers Stray Voltage
"It provides 24 hour monitoring for stray voltage," says Don Feigal, Pine Island, Minn., who teamed up with his brother Bob, and nephew Ron, to develop a detector that "remembers" stray voltage.
Several electronics companies offer volt meters which moniter fluctuating current creating the stray voltage problem. H
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Ground Voltage Detector Remembers Stray Voltage DAIRY EQUIPMENT & IDEAS Dairy Equipment & Ideas 6-6-29 "It provides 24 hour monitoring for stray voltage," says Don Feigal, Pine Island, Minn., who teamed up with his brother Bob, and nephew Ron, to develop a detector that "remembers" stray voltage.
Several electronics companies offer volt meters which moniter fluctuating current creating the stray voltage problem. However, if a strong voltage surge had passed through the area where cows are affected, and then disappeared temporarily, the absent dairyman would have no knowledge of this.
"This is where our new ground voltage detector comes into play," explains Don Feigal. It's affixed to the most symptomatic area of the dairy barn. When current above the .6 volt level passes through the designated area, one light glows. When the current exceeds one volt, a second bulb lights up and stays on until the unit is reset.
"Upon returning to his barn, the dairyman knows that cow-sensitive current passed through the area and he can begin to search for the source," explains Feigal.
The detector installs by attaching one wire to a ground rod and another wire to a place where there may be stray voltage, such as a stanchion or pipeline. The unit works by measuring the difference in voltage between the ground rod and the selected point.
Tested by power companies and dairy equipment companies, the detector works on both single and 3 phase systems. The control unit which the wires connect to measures 3 in. by 6 in. by 2 in. and plugs into a 110V outlet. It has a solid state printed circuit board and is waterproof. Don recommends installing the control unit in the milk room where it can be easily monitored. He cautions against mounting the control box in the milking parlor or stanchion barn because of high pressure spraying that can penetrate the box.
The ground voltage detector sells for $150, including the control box. It has not been tested in hog or poultry operations.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Feigal's Inc., Pine Island, Minn. 55963 (ph 507 356-8349).
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