Large phantom loads from residential water supply systems [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

Windy,

Wisconsin people have known about stray ground voltages for years. Some
dairy farmers who experienced reduced milk production disconnected their
milking barns from the grid and get their power from generators. In
extreme cases, cattle and horses have been killed from stray ground
voltage. Tell you customer to ask his local dairy farmers who they use
to solve their stray voltage problem and hire the solver.

Lots of links here
http://google.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=Wisconsin+ground+voltage&hc=0&hs=0

Best regards,
Joel Davidson

"Windy Dankoff, Dankoff Solar" wrote:
> 
> Wrenches,
> 
> I received this from one of our dealers. Can anyone help?
> 
> -- Windy
> 
> >Dear Windy,
> >
> >    The following is a bit aside of your main game, but I think you
> >have the experience/knolwledge needed. The issue is excessive
> >electrical use in rural homes. In recent audits I've come across
> >three with monthly use of 1,500-2,500 kWh. When I turn off all loads
> >the meter still spins vigoursly, and there is current on the pipes,
> >strongest around the well.
> >    Talking to electricians about it has so far come up with: single
> >insulated pumps with insulation flaws arc to the well casing through
> >minerals, sometimes 'welding' the pump to the casing. Faulty
> >pressure switches cycle the pump--this would increase use, but not
> >put current on the pipes. A pin hole leak in the well casing drops
> >pressure, causing cycling.
> >    A non-well cause can be a corroded annode in an electric hot
> >water tank that touches an element.
> >    In your considerable experience what other things might be
> >happening? There are hundreds of thousands of wells in Wisconsin,
> >say 700,000. If 1% are faulty, burning 1,000 extra kWh/mo., that's
> >84 million kWh a year, about $6 million dollars, plus magnetic
> >fields and 'stray voltage' and, I suspect, speedier corrosion, too.
> >    I'm trying to get a feel for the issue. Once that's in hand I'll
> >suggest to one of the state bureacracies that it be looked at
> >systematically and a piece be written that auditors, electricians,
> >well/pump people, and householders can use to figure out and fix the
> >problems.
> >
> >Regards,
> >Bill Hurrle
> 
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