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Stray Voltage Detectors Coming This Winter
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 19, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 19, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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Con Ed will be using mobile stray-voltage detectors costing $2.5 million to find any live currents, as part of its settlement with the family of Jodie Lane, the East Village resident who was electrocuted to death when she stepped on a Con Ed service box almost two years ago. The NY Post describes the detectors as being "stowed in plywood boxes mounted on trailers," which are then pulled by Con Ed workers' vehicles who will track the findings. The detectors will be used to do "five-day, 24 hour sweeps" of neighborhoods after snowstorms. Con Ed admits that these devices are extremely sensitive, saying that neon signs can set them off.
The Lane family would also like Con Ed to develop either an "automatic shut-off" or a warning noise or light on live electical equipment; Con Ed is still set to spend $1 million for electrical safety research programs.
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The NY Post
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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