Affecting neutral-to-earth voltage levels through modifications of the farm electrical grounding system

This thesis examines the step potential circuit for a dairy cow as well as the voltage gradient in the areas adjacent to equipotential planes. It evaluates the gradient alterations caused by different modifications to the equipotential plane. A design was proposed for reducing the step potential to 1 volt when neutral-to-earth voltages were as high as 5 volts, measured from equipotential plane to reference ground.;Circuitry is analyzed and the affect of source system neutral-to-earth voltage levels and distance between ground rods has upon the isolated system are studied. The equivalent circuit for two isolated systems can be approximated by a linear resistive circuit. A procedure is given for determining current flow through an animal when it contacts a neutral and "true earth" on an isolated system.