The National Electrical Code requires different wiring types and techniques for the three general types of agriculture buildings:
Damp buildings: High levels of moisture, corrosive dust and gases inside animal housing, milk houses and silos create electrical risks. These buildings require dust- and moisture-tight, non-corroding materials and wiring methods.- Dusty buildings: Fertilizer, dry grain and hay storage buildings can contain “explosive dust,” so they require dust- and ignition-proof wiring.
- Dry buildings: Machine storage buildings, shops and unattached garages can be wired similar to residential buildings.
Grounding requirements
Proper grounding is also an essential part of a safe electrical system. Grounding systems act to protect people and animals from electrical shock and help reduce the possibility of an electrical fire.
Periodically have the ground rods and wires at the service entrance panels checked by a qualified electrician for damage or loose connections.
Your qualified electrician should check that the neutral wire and grounding wire are not connected together at any point in your electrical system other than the main service panel.
Your farm must have its own electrical system grounding, in addition to any lightning protection grounding system.
Download the Electrical Safety on Your Farm brochure [PDF]
Download the Farm Electrical Safety Checklist [PDF]