Accidental electrocution

Sarnoff Corporation has developed a mobile system that can check street-level objects for “stray voltage” leaks that can injure and kill pedestrians in urban centres.

Stray voltage is caused by electricity leaking from the electrical distribution grid into exposed objects, where it can pose a serious threat of shock to anyone who comes in contact with it.

The mobile system, the SVD1000, scans its surroundings while being towed on a trailer behind a utility vehicle at speeds of up to 20 miles/hour. The SVD1000 can detect potential shock hazards at distances of up to 25 feet, depending on operating conditions.

“The number of stray voltage problems increases as the electrical grid in an area grows more complex, and as the infrastructure ages,” said Christos Polyzois, Senior Director, Commercial Systems at Sarnoff. “Damaged connections and cables can electrify street-level structures with lethal levels of voltage.

“In addition to detecting these dangers, the SVD1000 has been able to detect objects electrified with as little as 5 volts. This high sensitivity allows the SVD1000 to help identify minor problems before they become more dangerous.”