LITTLE CURRENT—Craig Timmermans of Little Current learned first-hand about the power being generated by the massive PowerTel hydro lines that connect the McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm project to the substation at the end of Harbour View Road.
Two weeks ago, Mr. Timmermans was stringing electric fencing along his Harbour View Road Country Fest grounds in response to the deer that had decided to make his property a high traffic thoroughfare. The fence, not yet ‘plugged in,’ began to send little shocks through Mr. Timmermans hands as he was working, he told The Expositor, likening the feeling to having burrs in his hands. Chalking it up to a buildup in static electricity as the day was a windy one, he went about his work. The further he strung the fence, however, the more painful the shocks became, eventually requiring the use of rubber gloves to perform the task. But when the electricity also arced through the gloves, Mr. Timmermans said he knew it couldn’t just be the wind—the answer was right above him.
An admitted nerd when it comes to all things electrical, Mr. Timmermans happened to have a voltage meter in his car. When he placed it next to the fence, he was shocked to see the meter register 277 volts—without being connected to an electrical source. In comparison, the average outlet in your home is 140 volts.
Mr. Timmermans said this was a classic case of induced energy whereby the PowerTel lines running parallel to and high above Mr. Timmermans’ fence are creating a magnetic field which means any conductor running near the lines will pick up extra energy, which is why his fence was ‘live.’
The Expositor contacted Paul Kaminski, McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm project manager, who said he had been contacted by Mr. Timmermans and in fact had had coffee with him to talk about induced energy.
Mr. Kaminski explained that while Mr. Timmermans’ voltage meter may have measured a high voltage, the amperage was low which means that it would not hurt people. He did ask Mr. Timmermans to ground the wire, however, which he agreed to do, with Northland Power providing him with the materials needed to get the job done.
Mr. Kaminski said the PowerTel lines transmit 115 kilovolts, or 115,000 volts. “This creates a larger (than usual) magnetic field,” he said. Induced energy in this form only happens when a line is located directly beneath another conductor, which it was. “To remove the energy, you just have to ground the conductor,” he added.
When the Northland Power conductors, or lines, were installed all the clearances were met, Mr. Kaminski explained.
“Anyone who wants to install anything below the power lines has to make sure they are grounded,” he said, explaining that the longer the line is that runs parallel to a magnetic field, the more induced energy occurs. No induced energy will be picked up on a line that runs perpendicular.
“The installation is safe,” Mr. Kaminski assures. “When there is grounding, there is no issue.”
