The other very serious danger with this is that by connecting the neutral cord (aka the "other" wire)to a grounding rod, as described in the original post, you have created a path to ground for your entire neutral bus in your fusebox. This makes it possible for the entire house to backfeed on a single 12 guage neutral line that doesn't have circuit protection. Circuit protection is only on the "hot" side. This means you can have wattage equal to everything turned on in your house travelling across a single 12 guage wire. This will burn your house down. I would think someone who "knows" electricity would have forseen this.
Neutrals should only be bonded to ground in the fuse box. The ground wire there is large enough to handle the load.
Quote:
Listen all. Kentucky threw out an idea here. You may not like it but it would
do the trick. As an electrical guy I can come up with 10 reasons not to do it
and 10 reasons why it will work. This is just a discussion. Everyone chill.
I think the big concern is because so many people depend on this website for advice for the care of their chickens. This is NOT something for everyone, and anyone reading the thread should be aware of the dangers of an amateur trying something like this.
Chickenshadow, you are an electrician, so to protect the amateurs, please list the 10 reasons not to do, then maybe the 10 reasons why it will work.
People here are protective of each other, and don't want to see anyone hurt, that's all. I don't think they are trying to be mean to Kentucky. I personally wouldn't do this and my husband is certified with low and high voltage, but not everyone knows how dangerous this setup COULD be, esp. if they are inexperienced. Not everyone has as many words to explain as I do, but I like to talk a lot.
Actually I wasn't going to respond any further, but "call the authorities". However, as you also will note there seems to be endless posts of "Oh No, Something Killed My Chickens". With that in mind I can assure you that when my wife moves her new little flock into their new coup/pen she expects them to be protected by whatever means necessary.
During my work career many of our facilities were protected by lethal voltage fencing, and yes my background is electricity and electronics. We live in a very remote rural environment at the entrance of our 1/4mile long driveway there is a legally posted sign which reads; NO TRESPASSING ALL VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED, it means just that. Furthermore for what its worth, we have always had an invisible lethal force perimeter guard system at our home.
Actually I do know my lawyer on a first name basis, but then as you no doubt know anyone can be sued anytime for just about anything.
However aside from all that, if you re-read my original post it clearly states that unless you know what you are doing, don't do it.
Obviously from some the posts, there apparently is confusion with the, "unless you know what you are doing, don't do it" part.