On Fri, 24 Jan 2003, Sean H. Breheny wrote:

*>Hi Roman,
*>
*>As much as I agree with you that it is a transformer and that it will cause
*>a noticeable drain from the power line, I'm not sure I'm on the power
*>company's side. In essence, if you go along with what you say, then you are
*>saying that having a power line going near your property restricts your
*>right to build what you want on your property. So, for example, if I have a
*>200 meter long field which does NOT go by a power line, I am completely
*>free to build a long metal wire structure (fence, antenna, whatever) but if
*>the power company decides to put a power line nearby, I no longer have that
*>right?

Actually there are cases of disputes between owners of previously existing
structures and electrical and electric railroad companies. The ground
currents from the lines will favorise electrochemical corrosion and pipes,
buried cables, and metal bridges may see shortened lifespans.

There are also stories of cows and other animals being affected by too
close HV lines inducing step currents even inside barns. There was even a
US movie about this I once saw, but I know it is true. A large long barn
will pick up enough line power by induction through pipes and structure
reinforcement steel to cause measurable voltages at the end of the
building, between good grounds. There is enough power to run a normal
flashlight bulb or ten (in parallel) off it.

Peter

--
http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.