Alectra utilities

Farmers are encouraged to document abnormal livestock behaviours and to provide Alectra with the following preliminary information at minimum:

• Livestock: the type and quantity impacted,
• Symptoms: the nature of stray voltage symptoms,
• Location: a general map of the farm with voltage problem areas highlighted,
• Timing: when symptoms began, and if symptoms are more prevalent in certain weather conditions or time of day,
• Electrical devices: confirmation of any electric devices in place (e.g., electric fence, electrified animal control devices),
• Independent test results (if an electrical contractor has performed tests), and
• Farm address.

This information can be sent to Alectra at customer.solutions@alectrautilities.com. Please include as much information as possible.

Upon receipt of a complete complaint or inquiry in written format, Alectra will contact the customer within ten business days to schedule an initial site visit at a mutually agreed date and time.

The farm’s electrical system will be analyzed by a qualified professional with experience in stray voltage mitigation, in accordance with Appendix H of the Distribution System Code.

Phase 1 Testing – Farm Stray Voltage Level

Alectra will test whether farm stray voltage is present at locations of the farm in which issues are suspected. A farm stray voltage testing device will be installed in resulting area(s) of greatest concern. The testing device will record the maximum voltage level over the course of several days. Alectra may need to visit the site multiple times during the testing phase.

Testing will reveal whether farm stray voltage levels on-site exceed acceptable threshold levels, as specified in the Distribution System Code, Section 4.7: 

• Animal contact current (ACC) exceeds 2.0 milliamperes
• Animal contact voltage (ACV) exceeds 1.0 volt

Phase 2 Testing – Distributor Contribution

Alectra will perform further testing to determine whether and the extent to which Alectra’s distribution system is contributing to high farm stray voltage levels. Alectra will determine whether its distribution system is contributing more than 1 milliampere ACC or 0.5 volts ACV in stray voltage. Results will be documented and reviewed with the customer.

Where indicated, Alectra will make efforts to remediate or bring down its stray voltage levels below 1 milliampere ACC or 0.5 volts ACV as quickly as possible. The timeline will vary on a case-by-case basis with the complexity of the issue.

Where farm stray voltage exceeds acceptable threshold levels, but Alectra’s distribution system is not found to be a contributing factor, it is the Customer’s responsibility to conduct a further investigation of the farm’s electrical system with a licenced electrical contractor.

Alectra will coordinate verification testing with the Customer after remediation work is complete to ensure and verify that farm stray voltage levels have been successfully brought down below an acceptable threshold.

Where testing has found that Alectra’s distribution system is contributing unacceptable levels of stray voltage, the investigation will conclude after Alectra has brought down its ACC or ACV levels within the acceptable range and conducted verification testing.

Where testing has found that Alectra’s distribution system is within acceptable thresholds, the investigation will be concluded.