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Stray Voltage

Monday, 16 December 2013 at 17:15

Woman shocked in Woodstock by electrified downspout

A woman shocked while walking downtown is a major concern for Woodstock Hydro.

Friday afternoon, the woman received the jolt while walking near the southwest corner of Dundas and Huron.

Woodstock Hydro's Operations Manager Jay Heaman says they were called to the scene by police, and were able to find the source.  "Up to 500-volts between a downspout from an eaves trough to a water shut off valve, which is basically a ground point in the sidewalk.  If a dog, or even a person is walking along an area that's energized like that, it's an electrical current that can flow through legs and into the body, and that's basically what happens in these cases."

The woman was conscious and walking around when Oxford EMS arrived.  She was complaining of muscle soreness and was taken to hospital for investigation.

Heaman says the electrical fault was found coming from a customer's equipment making contact with the downspout.  He says it was preventable, and a matter of customers completing investigative maintenance on their own property, but at the same time admits this one would have been "tough to locate".

The Electrical Safety Authority will be investigating.

The incident brings back memories of the 2009 incidents were several dogs were shocked while walking the streets in Toronto when loose connections in underground wiring electrified manhole covers in the city.

Heaman says, especially given the recent extreme weather conditions, people need to keep an eye on their electrical servicing, and be aware of their surroundings.  "This isn't something to take lightly.  I think the message to people is if anyone gets a sense they may be electrocuted, or if there's a bit of a shock sensation, they should call a supply authority right away and have it investigated."

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