Electricity Pylons

[InsaneLampshade]

if you're underneath an electricity pylon, would it interfere with the GPS signal, or with a compass?

[+Desert_Warrior]

Well, your answer is - IT DEPENDS.

 

How far are you from the electrified components. What voltage and current are flowing? The Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF) may or may not be strong enough to do anything. For instance, a long distance transmission line running 345 kilo-volts (KV) at 5000 amps (A) will have a far greater EMF than a 69 KV and 1000 A.

 

I was inside a generator one day when the generator tripped off line (13.8 KV - 1200 A). The EMF pulse was so powerful it scrambled my PDA and totaled my watch. But under normal operation, it isn't anywhere near that bad.

 

I would hazard a guess as follows. You _MIGHT_ see slight problems with a magnetic compass. There are ways to compensate for it. I doubt if you will see any problem with your GPSr. Of course, YMMV and all that.

[+GeckoGeek]

I was inside a generator one day when the generator tripped off line ...

Inside? a running generator? Or did you mean inside the generator building?

 

I'm trying to figure out how close you were to the windings.

[+SergeantMajor]

The electrical distribution system you mention will produce magnetic fields that could easily affect a magnetic-based compass. As to the GPS accuracy, I would surmise that the efect would be minimal. Good to always have a second source to compare to such as a 1:25000 scale geo survey map when there are doubts

[+Desert_Warrior]

I was inside a generator one day when the generator tripped off line ...

Inside? a running generator? Or did you mean inside the generator building? I'm trying to figure out how close you were to the windings.

Well, there are a few "inside" levels. I was within 3 feet of the windings, which are inside a cylindrical containment. There is a larger cover which could be considered "the Building" over that.

 

Here is a neat fact for you. The "field" of a generator is the "rotor". When you think it over, it makes sense.

[+GeckoGeek]

Here is a neat fact for you. The "field" of a generator is the "rotor". When you think it over, it makes sense.

Meaning that the windings that connect to the output terminals are stationary and it's the magnetic field that spins rather then the other way around? Yeah, I guess that would solve a few problems - like brushes big enough to carry the current.

[Kerry.]

if you're underneath an electricity pylon, would it interfere with the GPS signal, or with a compass?

Yes, for sure, to what extent might depend on many factors.

 

Cheers, Kerry.