Equipotential Planes, a Figment of the Imagination

This paper challenges conventional established practice and presently accepted standards concerning equipotential planes. The concepts, ideas and recommendations contained within this paper are the opinions of the author. It is the opinion of the author that it is unfortunate that in the United States the vast majority of utilities use the hazardous multigrounded neutral electrical distribution system. This type of electrical distribution system uses the earth for a partial electrical neutral return path for the dangerous high voltage distribution current. The correct term for this uncontrolled current is "stray current" as opposed to the incorrect term, stray voltage, commonly used. Robert Gustafson was editor of Chapter 4, Mitigation, in the document titled, "USDA agriculture handbook no. 696, effects of electrical voltage/current on farm animals" known as the Agriculture Red Book, where he presents "various solutions to stray or neutral-to-earth voltage problems". One of his major suggestions is the installation of an equipotential plane. This paper relates testing that suggests that such a solution is harmful not only to animals such as cows and pigs, but also to humans. With the flow of stray neutral distribution current over and through the earth, one must consider the effects that this dangerous stray neutral distribution current have on an equipotential plane. According to the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC) Articles 547 and 680, equipotential planes "... prevent a difference in voltage from developing within the plane." This paper discusses the contradictions, inconsistencies and incompatibilities of equipotential planes, Ohms law and the NEC. For years it has been opined that with detailed understanding, and the correct application of Ohms law, one would come to the conclusion that the concept of equipotential planes was not only potentially dangerous, but also blatantly false. In December 2004, tests were conducted that finally confirmed that the concept of equipotential planes is a figment of the imagination