As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
- (1) "Adequate remediation" means corrective action by a utility which results in, and is reasonably likely to sustain, a reduction of stray current or voltage attributable to the utility’s distribution system of fifty percent (50%) or less of the preventive action level.
- (2) "Commission" means the Idaho public utilities commission as established pursuant to section 61-201, Idaho Code.
- (3) "Cow contact points" means any two (2) electrically conductive points which a dairy cow may, in its normal environment, unavoidably and simultaneously contact.
(4) "Preventive action level" is stray current or voltage that is either:
- (a) A steady-state, root mean square (rms), alternating current (AC) of 2.0 milliamp (mA) or more through a 500 ohm resistor connected between cow contact points, as measured by a true rms meter; or
- (b) A steady-state, rms, AC voltage of 1.0 volts or more, across (in parallel with) a 500 ohm resistor connected between cow contact points, as measured by a true rms meter.
- (5) "Steady-state" is the value of a current or voltage after an amount of time where all transients have decayed to a negligible value.
(6) "Stray current or voltage" is:
- (a) Any steady-state, 60 hertz (Hz) (including harmonics thereof), root mean square (rms), alternating current (AC) of less than 20 milliamp (mA) through a 500 ohm resistor connected between cow contact points, as measured by a true rms meter; or
- (b) Any steady-state, 60 Hz (including harmonics thereof), rms, AC voltage of less than 10 volts, across (in parallel with) a 500 ohm resistor connected between cow contact points, as measured by a true rms meter. Stray current or voltage is a normal, inherent and unavoidable result of electricity traveling through grounded electrical systems, including a dairy producer’s on-farm system and a utility’s distribution system, which systems are required by the national electrical code and the national electrical safety code to be grounded to the earth to ensure continuous safety and reliability.
- (7) "Utility" means a public utility as defined in section 61-332A, Idaho Code.
[61-802, added 2005, ch. 189, sec. 1, p. 578.]