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Voltage Gradients in/on the Earth Origins of Stray Voltage Stray Voltage Exposure Animal Contact Voltages Stray Voltage vs. Time Definition of Stray Voltage
Rural Power Systems Supply-Side Gradients Utilization-Side Gradients Supply-Side and Utilization-Side Gradients Together Intermingling Differences Between Current Sources Neutral-to-Earth Voltage
Ground Rod Gradients Pipe Gradients Combined Utilization-Side Gradients

Pipe Gradients
Metallic pipes in contact with the earth, whether in concrete inside the barn or in the earth between buildings, can also cause voltage gradients when they are connected to the electrical power system ground. Metallic pipes act like long, horizontal ground rods with spreading-type gradients. The following is an illustration of these gradients on the surface of the earth.

Ground rod gradients at a farmstead.
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Water pipes that interconnect farm buildings may act as conductors as well as grounding electrodes. This happens when they are connected to the farm grounding system at more than one location. Because the pipes are generally not insulated from the earth, the amount of current coming out of one end is less than what goes in at the other end, with the difference becoming earth current along the length of the pipe. When pipes are buried deeply, the voltage gradients on the earth's surface are less significant.
The farmstead may have many other systems that are in contact with both the electric system and the earth (e.g. foundations incorporating structural steel). These systems may act like pipe grounding systems, causing nearby voltage gradients.
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