Stray Voltages in Dairies

A stray electrical current passing through a cow's body may cause reduced milk production and health problems. The electrical current can be caused by poor or faulty wiring, faulty equipment, improper grounding, or originate off the farm and be introduced through the grounded neutral wiring network. Stray voltages are usually low alternating current voltages on the grounded neutral wires of the farm wiring system. Power suppliers may use the terms neutral-to-ground voltage and neutral-to-earth voltage to refer to the problem. Lost milk production and the costs for treatment of the cow's health problems can lead to substantial economic losses.