DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

                          PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

       RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING ANIMAL CONTACT CURRENT MITIGATION

(By authority conferred on the Public Service Commission by sections 1 and  7 
of 1909 PA 106, sections 5 and 8 of 1919 PA 419, and sections 4 and 6 of 1939 
PA 3, MCL 460.551, 460.557, 460.55, 460.58, 460.4, and 460.6)


R 460.2701   Definitions.
  Rule 1.   (1)   As used in these rules:
   (a)   "Alternating current" (AC) means a current that flows in and through 
a conductive material, first in  one  direction  and  then  in  the  opposite 
direction on a regular time interval.
   (b)   "Ampere" means a measure of the rate of  flow  of  electric  current 
through a conductive material.  A milliamp (the unit of measure commonly used 
for stray voltage measurements) is 1/1,000 (0.001) of an ampere.
   (c)   "Animal" means vertebrates including, but not limited to, dairy  and 
beef cattle, sheep, swine, poultry and horses.
   (d)   "Animal contact current" (AcC) means an AC electrical  current  that 
is measured, calculated, and may potentially flow through an animal due to an 
electrical contact voltage between 2 points simultaneously  in  contact  with 
the animal at locations normally accessible by the animal.
   (e)   "Animal contact  voltage"  (AcV),  commonly  referred  to  as  stray 
voltage, means the measured difference in an  AC  electrical  potential  when 
measured  with  a  shunt  resistor  between  2  points  that  an  animal  can 
simultaneously contact in locations normally accessible by the animal.
   (f)   "Commission" means the Michigan public service commission.
   (g)     "Communication   service   provider"   means   a    supplier    of 
telecommunication or other electronic media services.
   (h)    "Cycle"  means  1  complete  positive  and  1   complete   negative 
alternation of current or voltage.
   (i)   "Direct  current"  (DC)  means  a  current  that  flows  in  only  1 
direction, in and through a conductive material.
   (j)   "Harmonics" means a repeating sine wave that fits  within  the  main 
sine wave.  The main sine wave is 60 cycles per second (60 Hz) and is  called 
the fundamental frequency.  Harmonic currents, which  are  multiples  of  the 
fundamental current, result in sine wave distortion.  This distortion may  be 
caused by electronic components in equipment, such as  variable  speed  motor 
drives and computers.
   (k)   "Neutral-to-earth voltage" (NEV) means an  AC  electrical  potential 
difference between a utility grounded neutral or complainant grounded neutral 
and the earth.
   (l)   "Ohm" means a measure  of  electrical  resistance  of  a  conductive 
material that limits the flow of electric current.
   (m)   "Ohm's Law"  means  the  mathematical  relationship  between  volts, 
amperes, and ohms.  If any 2 of these quantities are known,  then  the  third 
can be calculated.  A formula for this relationship is:

Volts (pressure)
-------------------------   =      Amperes (current flow)
Ohms (resistance)

   (n)   "Preventive action  level"  means  a  steady  state  animal  contact 
current that meets or exceeds 2 milliamperes RMS using  a  nominal  500  ohms 
resistor at 60 Hz from all sources, including  off-premises  and  on-premises 
sources. 
   (o)   "Root mean square" (RMS) means a measure  of  the  effective  energy 
value of a wave or cycle.  For regularly-shaped sine waves, the RMS value  is 
0.707 multiplied by the peak value of the sine wave.
   (p)   "Shunt resistor" means  an  electrical  component  resistor  with  a 
nominal  resistance  value  of  500  ohms  (which  simulates  the  electrical 
resistance of an animal) placed  in  a  circuit  to  measure  animal  contact 
voltage  (AcV)  and  placed  across  the  input  terminals  of  the   voltage 
measurement device.  Animal contact current (AcC) is calculated  by  dividing 
the measured shunted voltage at an animal contact location by  the  value  of 
the shunt resistor.
   (q)   "Sine wave" means a smooth curve starting at zero and building up to 
a maximum before decreasing back to zero.  The curve continues below the zero 
line, building to a negative maximum, returning to zero to complete 1 cycle.  
The smooth curve repeats.  The  voltage  and  current  in  an  AC  electrical 
circuit trace out the shape of a sine wave repeating 60 times each second, or 
60 Hz.
   (r)   "60 hertz" or "60 Hz" means  alternating  current  (AC)  electricity 
that completes 60 cycles per second.  The frequency is the number  of  cycles 
per second expressed as hertz (Hz).  The utility industry  in  North  America 
generates and distributes power at 60 Hz, or 60 cycles per second.
   (s)   "Steady state" means a 1 minute average of RMS voltage  or  amperage 
values.
   (t)   "Stray voltage,"  also  referred  to  as  AcV,  means  the  measured 
difference in an AC electrical potential when measured with a shunt  resistor 
between 2 points that an  animal  can  simultaneously  contact  in  locations 
normally accessible by the animal through  step  or  touch  both  inside  and 
outside of farm buildings.
   (u)   "Transient"  means  a  rapid  change  in  current  that  produces  a 
deviation from a normal sine wave.  It normally lasts for only a fraction  of 
a cycle.  If repeating, it usually does so for only  a  few  cycles.   It  is 
generally caused by on- or off-site  electrical  circuit  failures,  switches 
opening and closing, and motors starting and stopping.
   (v)   "Utility" means an electric  company,  whether  private,  corporate, 
cooperative or municipal, that provides electricity to a consumer.
   (w)   "Volt"  means  a  measure  of  electric  pressure  or  energy  level 
(voltage) between 2 points that  can  push  electrons  through  a  conductive 
material.
 
"Electrical Tech Note - 231"; Agriculture  Engineering  Department,  Michigan 
State University; Figure 7, Page 6

 
Typical Harmonic Waveform
"The Handbook for  Electric  Metering  --  ninth  edition",  Edison  Electric 
Institute, EEI Publication No. - 06-92-01, Figure 4-10 Page 62 

   (2)  These definitions are an application of the Institute  of  Electrical 
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 100, "The Authoritative Dictionary  of  IEEE 
Standards and Terms," 7th Edition.  Printed  copies  of  the  dictionary  are 
available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 445 Hoes 
Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854, at  a  cost  of  $160  at  the  time  of 
adoption of this rule.  A printed copy of the dictionary is also available at 
the  Michigan  Public  Service  Commission,  6545  Mercantile  Way,  Lansing, 
Michigan, 48911.

  History: 2007 AACS.


R 460.2702   Measuring animal contact voltage.
   Rule 2.   (1) A utility shall respond to a request for  investigation  and 
work with the complainant to conduct an initial  investigation  to  determine 
stray voltage levels.  If resolution is not met, the complainant may  request 
further investigation as provided for in this rule.
   (2)   Upon conclusion of (1)  and  upon  request  of  the  complainant,  a 
utility shall  conduct  an  investigation  of  each  complainant  inquiry  or 
complaint concerning animal contact current or voltage, commonly referred  to 
as stray voltage.  The following shall apply:
   (a)   The level  of  animal  contact  current  shall  be  determined  from 
measurements  of  animal  contact  voltage  using  Ohm's  Law.   The  voltage 
measurement  shall  be  made  between  2  points,   which   an   animal   can 
simultaneously contact and under which animal contact voltage is most  likely 
to occur.  When measuring from the floor or earth, a  single  metallic  plate 
with an area of 12 to 16 square inches shall be used to simulate the foot  of 
the animal.  One lead of the measuring instrument shall be connected  to  the 
plate, which shall be placed on the floor or earth where an animal may stand. 
 The other  lead  of  the  measuring  instrument  shall  be  connected  to  a 
conductive object that an animal could reasonably contact while 1 of its feet 
is at the location of the plate.  For  all  measurements  of  animal  contact 
voltage a shunt resistor shall be used to  simulate  the  resistance  of  the 
animal.  A suitable material, such as a medical grade electrode contact  gel, 
shall be used to simulate real conditions and maintain  conductivity  to  the 
floor or earth for the duration of the testing period.
   (b)   An approved method for determining the utility contribution  to  the 
animal contact current is contained  in  R  460.2707,  Protocol  to  Evaluate 
Utility Contribution to Animal Contact Current.  

  History: 2007 AACS.


R 460.2703   Action required to mitigate animal contact current.
   Rule 3.   (1)   If the  steady  state  animal  contact  current  from  all 
sources as measured by the utility in accordance  with  this  rule  meets  or 
exceeds the preventive action level, and if the utility contribution  exceeds 
1 milliampere RMS, then the utility shall commence action within  2  business 
days, or at a mutually agreed upon timeframe between the complainant and  the 
utility, to reduce the utility contribution to 1 milliampere or less.
   (2)   If a utility is required to take action, then the utility shall make 
modifications or  corrections  to  its  facilities  in  accordance  with  the 
standards and codes approved by the commission.
   (3)    If  the  utility  determines  that  some  or  all  of  the  utility 
contribution  is  carried  through   a   communication   service   provider's 
facilities, then the  communication  service  provider  shall  eliminate  the 
communication service system as a pathway for animal contact current from the 
utility's system within the time limit described in subrule (1) of this rule. 
 For any disagreement between  the  utility  and  the  communication  service 
provider under this subrule, either party may  seek  a  resolution  from  the 
commission.

  History: 2007 AACS.


R 460.2704   Request for investigation.
   Rule 4.   (1)   After completion of the procedures in  R  460.2702  and  R 
460.2703, a complainant or the utility may request, with notification to  the 
other party, that the commission appoint at least 3 and up to  5  experts  to 
investigate in the manner in R 460.2705.  If the commission appoints at least 
3 and  up  to  5  experts,  those  experts  shall   have   the   rights   and 
responsibilities  as  described  in  that  rule   and   shall   issue   their 
investigation report and conclusions to the commission, the complainant,  and 
the utility.
   (2)   The funding mechanisms in R 460.2705 shall be  used  to  defray  the 
costs of the experts as determined by the commission.

  History: 2007 AACS.


R 460.2705   Appointment of experts.
   Rule 5.   (1)   If a complainant or the utility requests an  investigation 
through the commission under R 460.2704 of these rules, then  the  commission 
may appoint at least 3 and up to 5 experts to investigate the  complaint  and 
report findings to the commission within the  scope  of  these  rules.    The 
commission shall consider expert individuals based on, but  not  limited  to, 
all of the following criteria: 
   (a)   Expertise specific to the specie affected.
   (b)   Objectivity - individuals not directly impacted by the resolution.
   (c)   Neutral third-party.
   (d)    Training  and  expertise  in  primary  distribution   systems   and 
certification in secondary wiring systems.
   (2)   The experts shall limit their conclusions and reports to the subject 
of the dispute and the facts and circumstances of the specific case for which 
they were appointed.
   (3)   Either party may request specific disciplines be represented on  the 
expert team.
   (4)   The experts shall submit a report to the commission with the results 
and conclusions of their inquiry, which may suggest corrective  measures  for 
resolving the complaint.  The reports of the experts  shall  be  received  in 
evidence and the experts shall be made available for cross-examination by the 
parties at any hearing.  The experts shall report to the commission within 30 
days of their employ.  The commission may grant up to a 30-day extension.
   (5)   The reasonable expenses of experts, including  a  reasonable  hourly 
fee or fee determined by the commission, shall be submitted to the commission 
for approval and, if approved, shall be funded under subrule (6) of this rule.
   (6)   The utility shall reimburse the experts appointed by the  commission 
for the reasonable expenses incurred  in  the  course  of  investigating  the 
complaint.

  History: 2007 AACS.


R 460.2706  Request for a contested case hearing.  
   Rule 6.   (1)   After completing the procedures described in R 460.2702 to 
R 460.2705, if a complainant of a utility claims to have  animals  that  have 
experienced behavior or production problems due  to  animal  contact  current 
caused by a utility's distribution system, then the complainant  may  file  a 
formal complaint and request a contested case hearing before  the  commission 
to resolve the dispute.  In accordance with  the  rules  and  procedures  for 
contested  cases,  the  commission  shall  consider  facts  and  evidence  to 
determine the following:  
   (a)   Whether the utility's supply of electricity or electrical service is 
causing animal  contact  voltage  or  current  of  sufficient  magnitude  and 
duration to result in behavior or production problems.
   (b)   Whether the utility has taken reasonable steps to avoid or  mitigate 
any animal contact current.
   (c)   Whether the claims or defenses are  supported  by  valid  scientific 
research and prevailing scientific opinion.
   (d)   Other findings the Commission deems necessary and relevant.
   (2)   If a decision is favorable to  the  complainant,  then  the  utility 
shall determine the manner and  nature  of  any  necessary  modifications  or 
corrections to its facilities, as approved by the commission.
   (3)   If a decision is favorable to the utility, then  further  action  by 
the utility is not required.

  History: 2007 AACS.


R 460.2707  Protocol to  evaluate  utility  contribution  to  animal  contact 
current
   Rule 7.   (1)   The following shall be the  protocol  for  testing  animal 
contact current when the utility utilizes a grounded distribution system with 
a primary neutral conductor, except that a utility may submit an  alternative 
protocol to the commission for approval to determine the utility contribution 
to animal contact current:
   (a)   Identify animal contact location to be tested.
   (b)   Measure and record the steady state animal contact voltage (AcV)  at 
the animal contact location concurrently with the neutral-to-earth voltage at 
utility primary distribution system (NpEV) and at the animal  building  panel 
(NbEV) for a period of 72 hours during a mutually agreed upon time  frame  to 
determine the maximum probable level of animal contact current  under  normal 
operating conditions.
   (c)   Determine the highest level of animal contact voltage that  occurred 
during the 72?hour monitoring, and the primary  neutral-to-earth  voltage  at 
the utility transformer location that occurred at that same time.
   (d)   Turn off farm electrical load and apply a temporary electrical  load 
at the utility transformer to produce  the  same  level  of  neutral-to-earth 
voltage at the utility transformer  as  found  in  subdivision  (c)  of  this 
subrule.  Measure the animal contact voltage again.
   (e)   Using the animal contact voltage measured in subdivision (d) of this 
subrule, compare it to the animal contact voltage measured in subdivision (b) 
of this subrule to determine  the  utility  contribution  to  animal  contact 
current using Ohm's law.
   (2)   The following measurement and monitoring procedures shall be used:
   (a)   Conduct an evaluation of animal contact voltage (AcV)  to  determine 
the location that may result in the maximum probable current flow through the 
animal.  This location shall be called the chosen animal contact location and 
shall be monitored for a period of 72 hours during  a  mutually  agreed  upon 
time frame.  The following shall apply:
   (i)   Identify all probable animal contact locations where  an  animal  is 
likely to simultaneously make contact with 2 points between which  a  voltage 
may be present.   This  includes  locations  of  concern  identified  by  the 
complainant.
   (ii)   Measure animal contact voltage (AcV) with a nominal 500-ohms  shunt 
resistor (R shunt) placed across the input leads  of  the  voltage  measuring 
instrument.
   (iii)   Measurements to the floor or earth shall  be  made  with  a  metal 
plate with an area of 12 to 16 square inches, and with a conductive  material 
between the metal plate and the floor or earth.
   (iv)   Measuring instruments  shall  be  capable  of  digitally  recording 
necessary measurements to determine  the  steady  state  voltage.   Measuring 
instruments shall be calibrated to factory specifications by a recognized and 
certified laboratory.  The commission shall determine  the  acceptability  of 
each measuring device.  The data recorded shall become part of the report.
   (b)   Establish the  locations  from  which  to  monitor  neutral-to-earth 
voltage (NpEV and NbEV) measurements.   The  following  procedures  shall  be 
followed:
   (i)   Establish an earth reference ground by installing  a  metal  rod  or 
pipe, with a diameter not less than ½ inch, in the earth to a  depth  of  not 
less than 1 foot and located not less than 50 feet from any underground water 
pipes, utility lines, metal equipment  making  contact  with  the  earth,  or 
grounding electrodes of any electrical system.
   (ii)   Determine which farm  electrical  panel  serves  the  equipment  or 
general location of the animal contact location.  This electrical panel shall 
be called the animal building panel.  The  neutral-to-earth  voltage  at  the 
animal building panel (NbEV) shall  be  measured  from  the  panel  grounding 
terminal to the reference ground established in subdivision  (b)(i)  of  this 
subrule.  This measurement can be used to validate that  the  animal  contact 
voltage (AcV) was not inadvertently  disconnected  or  disturbed  during  the 
72-hour monitoring period.
   (iii)   The neutral-to-earth voltage at the utility's primary distribution 
neutral conductor (NpEV) shall be measured from the utility's primary neutral 
grounding electrode conductor at the utility transformer serving the farm  to 
the reference ground established in subdivision (b)(i) of this subrule.
   (c)   Simultaneously measure and record the 3 steady state voltages,  AcV, 
NpEV and NbEV, for a period of 72 hours during a mutually  agreed  upon  time 
frame.  If more than 1 instrument is used, then the instrument  clocks  shall 
be synchronized.  The following shall be used:
   (i)   The animal contact  voltage  (AcV)  with  a  nominal  500-ohm  shunt 
resistor (R shunt) placed across the input leads  of  the  voltage  measuring 
instrument.
   (ii)   The neutral-to-earth voltage at the animal building panel (NbEV).
   (iii)   The neutral-to-earth voltage of the utility  primary  distribution 
system neutral (NpEV) at the utility transformer serving the farm.
   (3)   Determine the utility contribution to animal contact current.   This 
procedure may be conducted  using  non-recording  digital  voltage  measuring 
instruments.  All of the following apply:
   (a)   Examine the voltage recordings and locate the highest  steady  state 
value of animal contact voltage (AcV) which will be called the animal contact 
test voltage (AcVt). 
   (b)   Determine the steady state value  of  utility  primary  distribution 
system neutral voltage (NpEV) that was present at the time the animal contact 
test voltage occurred. This will be called the primary neutral-to-earth  test 
voltage (NpEVt).
   (c)   Install 1 voltage instrument to measure the voltage of  the  utility 
primary distribution system  neutral  to  the  reference  ground  (NpEV)  and 
another voltage instrument to measure the animal contact voltage (AcV) with a 
nominal 500-ohm shunt resistor (R shunt) placed across the input leads of the 
voltage measuring instrument.
   (d)   Turn off all farm electrical loads  while  leaving  the  transformer 
energized and leaving the secondary neutral conductor connected to  the  farm 
electrical system.  This  can  be  accomplished  by  opening  the  main  farm 
electrical disconnect and removing the  electric  meter,  or  by  some  other 
effective means.  
   (e)   Add a temporary load to the transformer (that does not  utilize  the 
secondary neutral) until the primary neutral to reference ground test voltage 
(NpEVt) is achieved, and record the animal contact voltage that occurs.  This 
measurement will be called the utility contribution to animal contact voltage 
(AcVu).    
   (f)   If the primary neutral to reference test voltage (NpEVt)  cannot  be 
achieved as described  in  subrule  3(e)  of  this  rule,  then  the  utility 
contribution to the animal contact voltage (AcVu) will be determined by using 
the linear relationship between the  primary  neutral  to  reference  voltage 
(NpEV) and the animal contact voltage (AcV) with and  without  the  temporary 
load applied to the transformer where the following apply:
   (i)   AcVo means  the  animal  contact  voltage  measured  with  all  farm 
electrical loads turned off as determined in (d) of this subrule.
   (ii)   AcVtemp means the animal contact  test  voltage  as  determined  in 
subdivision (e) of this subrule at the level of temporary load applied.
   (iii)   NpEVo means the primary neutral-to-earth  voltage  with  all  farm 
electrical loads off as determined in (d) of this subrule.
   (iv)   NpEVt means the primary neutral-to-earth voltage as  determined  in 
subdivision (b) of this subrule.
   (v)   NpEVtemp means the primary neutral-to-earth voltage as determined in 
subdivision (e) at the level of temporary load applied.
   (g)  If paragraphs (i) to (v) of subdivision (f) of this rule apply,  then 
the utility contribution to animal contact voltage (AcVu) shall be scaled  by 
multiplying the change in animal contact voltage  (AcV)  resulting  from  the 
temporary load at the utility's transformer (AcVtemp - AcVo) by the ratio  of 
(NpEVt - NpEVo) divided by (NpEVtemp -  NpEVo).   The  resulting  scaling  in 
animal contact voltage shall be added to the animal contact voltage (AcVo) to 
determine the utility  contribution  to  animal  contact  voltage  (AcVu)  as 
follows:
  (i)   AcVu = {[(NpEVt - NpEVo) / (NpEVtemp - NpEVo)] x (AcVtemp - AcVo)}  + 
AcVo.
  (h)  Animal contact current contributed by the  utility  system  (AcCu)  is 
determined by using Ohm's law.  To determine the current contributed  by  the 
utility, divide the utility contribution to animal contact voltage (AcVu)  by 
the value of shunt resistance or R shunt.  The formula for  determining  AcCu 
is AcCu amps = AcVu volts / R shunt ohms.  

  History: 2007 AACS.