https://www.es-forum.com/Dairy-cows-and-emf-effects-tp1542722p1542737.html
Thanks for the information. As always I'm learning more and more
about this. This is very helpful.
>
> Hi Alan:
>
> Well, let me stress here again, since it seems that some folks may
> still be thinking -- when they hear the term "stray voltage" -- of
> EMF fields or E-fields in the air (i.e., free space), that the
> concept of "stray voltage" refers specifically to small currents,
> usually 60 Hz AC currents from the power grid (often current which
> should have been carried back to the power station via the neutral
> wire or ground wire in the power grid), running through the soil in
> order to return to the nearest grounded node in that sector of the
> power grid. If you wish to do a good Google search, there are a
> number of websites which outline methods commonly used for detecting
> "stray voltage" in the field, particularly in ag settings.
>
> One common method is to employ a digital voltmeter (DVM) with a high
> impedance input, set to an AC voltage scale which reads from perhaps
> 0.01 to 2 volts, and then do any of the following (using some long
> alligator clip leads as needed to span the distance):
> * measure voltage from a metal fencepost or other type of metal
> post to another object at least 3 feet away.
> * stick copper rods or nails about 6 inches long into the soil at
> least 5 feet apart, and monitor voltage across them
> However, such measurements can be very tricky, and are fraught with
> false readings, and, even under best conditions, the wires (to the
> meter) must be left lying flat on the soil during measurements. If
> the DVM is too sensitive, the wires running across the surface of the
> soil may act as antennas and pick up AC or RF signals (EMF or E-field
> or H-field) from the ambient airspace, and, via induction (or even
> capacitive coupling, if the two probes are not firmly "grounded"...),
> may incude false and misleading readings.
>
> And, there are other red herrings which can confuse the casual
> observer as well, since it has been well-known for many hundreds of
> years that the earth itself often generates sizeable DC electric
> currents which flow from point to point through the soils and strata
> at the earth's surface (these have sometimes been called "earth
> currents" or "telluric currrents", and the earth itself can even
> generate low-frequency AC currents in the ELF, VLF, and even LF
> region; the AC and DC currents are due largely to geophysical
> phenomena (including soil and rock electrochemistry, activity of
> oxidizing or reducing microbes (i.e., "redox activity") in the
> aquifer or "water table," and piezoelectric activity of large masses
> of stressed rock.
>
> with care,
> --Vinny
>
> At 01:47 AM 10/20/2006, you wrote:
> >I agree it is vague. I'm not sure what the technical definition for
> >"stray voltage" is. Or what was used as a "Voltage Meter". My guess
> >is if you walked around various residential areas with the same
> >"equipment" you would have similar findings.
> >
> >I know an apartment I was looking at had very high ELF readings. I did
> >not do further investigation but my guess is there was very poor
> >wiring, grounding and thus "leakage".
> >
> >So I would say the story was more "vague" than "misleading".
> >
> >Actually my key point is that these folks were able to
> >
> >1) show economic harm
> >2) somehow give evidence of the source (not sure how strong this was)
> >3) and get a legal finding in there favor
> >
> >If any one is willing to define the what the terms in the article mean
> >scientifically that would be very helpful.
> >
> >I just find the terms "voltage", "leakage" etc vague. Even though
> >voltage should mean one thing.
> >
> >My 2 cents.
> >
> >Thanks, Alan
> >
> >--- In
[hidden email], Vinny Pinto <vinny@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi folks and "abailey":
> > >
> > > The letter below could be a bit misleading, because it could appear
> > > that the author (I do not know the name of the person who sent the
> > > post, as she/he did not sign their name) may be inferring that the
> > > problem which affected the cows -- and for which the judgement was
> > > awarded -- was due to EMF fields or E-fields or magnetic fields, and
> > > this is not the case. Rather, livestock "stray voltage" problems
> > > >can sue for damages that emf causes dairy cows. I guess its
> > > >us humans to quantify economic damage. Could be a legal precedent
> > > >what was making their cows sick and milk production drop. They