A number of utilities in Minnesota have worked together to create the Minnesota Stray Voltage Guide, which outlines the steps that farmers, electrical contractors, utilities and their advisers can take to discover and resolve stray voltage concerns on livestock farms.

When farmers and utility companies work together, utility representatives say, voltage concerns are more likely to be satisfactorily resolved.

The guide includes a list of common causes and a farm wiring checklist to address possible causes and ways to avoid on-farm stray voltage. It also goes through what the farmer and utility should expect when conducting a stray voltage investigation, including the proper testing procedures for stray voltage.

Although the guide is focused on cattle and dairy farms, the processes and procedures are relevant to all types of livestock and livestock housing facilities.

To download a copy of the guide online, go to minnesotastrayvoltageguide.com.

To learn more about agricultural wiring, it would be time well spent to review materials offered online by the Midwest Rural Energy Council and University of Wisconsin Extension. MREC members have been active participants in developing wiring codes for agricultural facilities, developing methods to detect and correct stray voltage problems, and improving the quality and safety of farm wiring systems.

Here are a few links for resources on farm wiring systems, the structure and function of the electrical distribution system, interconnection action between the distribution system and the on-farm wiring system.

If you are looking ahead at farm-building remodeling and/or updating lighting and other electrical power at your homestead, check out online information provided by the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs). Seven regional teams work within their communities and with individuals to help identify and implement community-based clean energy projects. They work with a diverse mix of people: individuals, small business owners, farmers, local utility representatives, members of environmental groups, educators and local government representatives.

Specific to farming operations, CERTs has worked on energy savings projects such as its Milk the Savings: Dairy Energy Efficiency Program, which guides farmers through the funding options available for barn energy efficiency upgrades. CERTs also has helped turkey growers reduce energy use by upgrading to LED lighting in their barns.

For more information, contact Fritz Ebinger, CERTs Rural Energy Development program manager, at [email protected] or 612-626-1028.

Source: CERTs