Equal potential plane, for horse waterers.

[Tipytao]

I will be wiring a horse barn for the first time here pretty soon. Inside the barn there will be 3 waterers i had to run conduits for power to each one, and a 4th waterer outside. The barn will have a concrete floor inside, with no rebar grid. The floor around the outside waterer will just remain dirt i'm assuming, and be right against the building. The location of this barn is in north Idaho.

My question is what would be the best way to meet the equal potential plane code? An idea is to make some type of rebar grid around each waterer, with a ufer clamp connected to it. Also maybe the same thing for the outside? Just buried deep enough to where horses cant kick it up over time? I also wonder if ground rods would be enough? That would make it alot easier, but doesnt seem like it would be enough.

 

[ptonsparky]

One of the reasons for a equapotential plane is to keep all of the animal at the same potential. Mouth in water with front hooves on concrete with rebar does not get it when rear are on dirt.

 

[ptonsparky]

The plane should be continuous wherever the animal is with no sudden change of the way the plane is installed. Dairy cows will be more suseptible to shock than horses but that is the general practice.

 

[Tipytao]

The only time that type of scenerio would happen would be when the horse is walking into the barn. The waterers are far enough in to where all 4 hooves will be on the concrete when drinking. The only time they will be attached to a waterer while standing in dirt will be when they drink from the one outside.

 

[Tipytao]

The plane should be continuous wherever the animal is with no sudden change of the way the plane is installed. Dairy cows will be more suseptible to shock than horses but that is the general practice.

so do you think ill have to install a rebar grid in the entire floor of the building?

EDIT how conductive is concrete really?

 

[ActionDave]

so do you think ill have to install a rebar grid in the entire floor of the building?

That is something that you need to talk to the electrical inspector about.

EDIT how conductive is concrete really?

Very conductive.

 

[romex jockey]

A doc that might help>>>


The Equipotential Plane in New Livestock Facilities



~RJ~

 

[ptonsparky]

Take a close look at 547.1 along with parts (A)& (B). Then, as AD suggested, talk with your local inspector. Your building may not fit the definition.

 

[romex jockey]

I've found a fencer proximal to a waterer equopotential plane creates an interesting conundrum.

The better the plane, the more the fencer is introduced to it.....

~RJ~

 

[Dennis Alwon]

mike holt has a great vid on this but it is long

 

[ptonsparky]

I've found a fencer proximal to a waterer equopotential plane creates an interesting conundrum.

The better the plane, the more the fencer is introduced to it.....

~RJ~

We worked a dairy barn a few years ago that had the rods driven just outside of the free stall or loafing area with the bare cu going out thru the sheet metal siding. That pulse could be detected throughout the entire area. Moved the rods and the fencer to a remote location and what do you know, that pulse disappeared.

 

[kwired]

The plane should be continuous wherever the animal is with no sudden change of the way the plane is installed. Dairy cows will be more suseptible to shock than horses but that is the general practice.

Dairy cows may or may not be able to feel it easier then a horse, but the dairy cows will start to have problems that are noticed by the farmer when milk production levels decline even if the cows aren't showing any other signs of being bothered by the electric currents they are exposed to.

so do you think ill have to install a rebar grid in the entire floor of the building?

EDIT how conductive is concrete really?

Pretty conductive by itself, even better when you introduce animal waste to the mix.

Not as good as a copper wire, but excellent enough to introduce all sorts of stray current issues.

 

[Cow]

For the dairy barns we work on, we would have wire mesh installed in any concrete the animals can stand on inside and in the immediate area outside the building. I can't pick and choose which areas of the barn that I want to have the equipotential plane in. For reference, the freestall barns we wire most of the time only have lights in the ceiling, no trough heaters. But, I'm still required to have ALL the concrete where the cows can stand included in the equipotential plane.

Your inspector may interpret it different though, it's always best to see what they expect.

 

[Tipytao]

Thankyou all so much for your answers! These forums are an excellent tool, i look forward to continue reading up on them =)

 

[ptonsparky]

Thankyou all so much for your answers! These forums are an excellent tool, i look forward to continue reading up on them =)

Welcome to the crowd.

 

[romex jockey]

We worked a dairy barn a few years ago that had the rods driven just outside of the free stall or loafing area with the bare cu going out thru the sheet metal siding. That pulse could be detected throughout the entire area. Moved the rods and the fencer to a remote location and what do you know, that pulse disappeared.

Exactly the conclusion it took us a while to come to here ptonsparky....

~RJ~