High voltage wires.

Voltage

by Cajun Girl - 2017-03-27 15:10:38

I read something today about it in a biotronik pdf - you may want to read it: 

http://www.biotronikusa.com/global/assets/product_manuals/patients/M4178-A%2009-15_Brady%20Patient%20Manual_MN052r1sc.pdf

HV Power lines

by donr - 2017-03-27 23:20:10

Going by just the experience of the folks in here, High Voltage lines vary in  their effects on people - from NO effect whatsoever to misery!  You have to learn for yourself.  About the only thing that is near unanimous is that going into the Alternator gallery in a big hydroelectric plant has affected just about all who venture there.  There is at least one member who had problems near Charlottesville, VA where power lines drooped low over a highway.  Bothered her every day when she passed under them commuting to & from work.  Several others have experienced discomfort near Transformer yards.

Don't go by ANY propaganda from a mfgr - their wallets are at risk if they don't tell you the sky is falling.  You have to find out how they affect YOU!  How?  By approaching a bunch of them slowly to find out.  If they are going to affect you, your PM will tell you.

Donr

I guess I am the only one

by dwelch - 2017-03-30 23:38:14

From the last post, I actually went into hoover dam around the generators, a week or so before I learned about this stuff.  As an electrical engineer I also did a field trip to a sub station in college, I didnt have any effects from either.  But management at work got worried about some equipment at work not realizing they had an employee with a pacer.  So myself and the lab manager did our research and some measurement, with respect to that equipment (a shake table) I would have to hug the transformers or the coil arond the shaker to reach the proper EMI level that would confuse the pacer.  Basically the energy field produced is so strong and the frequency is 50 or 60 hertz depending on where you live so that can confuse the pacer.  As the pdf linked above states move out of the field (or if you pass out hopefully someone else is smart enough to do that for you).

Every little thing is going to have a legal department that warns you not to use it, phone, electric toothbrush, extension cord, whatever.  And likely every convenience store with a microwave.

I like Donr's answer, but to sort of add to it, if it is through the air then the energy drops exponentially.   2 foot away is 4 times less than 1 foot away.  So physically move away, walk down the road or whatever and walk back.   Note this was two pacers ago, and I dont remember if it was supposed to go into safety mode, or if the pacer really just though you were at 60bpm from the 60hz, in either case or any time you are concerned, take your pulse, and know what your pacers settings are, that is the best advise I have.  Take it for a full minute dont shortcut and multiply, if you are supposed to be above 60 and below 130, and you are at 50, then go to the ER or call your doc or whatever, if you are between those numbers, then relax.  

Static electricity shocks when you touch a light switch or something with socks on a carpet, not going to affect your pacer.  Just dont climb the power pole and hug the transformer, I wouldnt trust the cheap EMI detectors they sell, get or rent a good one if you feel the need to.  

The hardest thing here will be to determine if you are really being affected, or if it is anxiety about being affected.  One way might be to check your pulse, if the pacer is confused, stuck at one rate because of the field it is sensing, walk around a bit, do something that might normally raise your rate, if it doesnt raise then the pacer may be confused, if it does then it is not confused.  Apply all the legal disclaimers here, have your doc officially help you determine this.  At least 20 years ago the folks at medronic were helpful when we called them with technical questions, have not needed to since so dont know if that is a good resource, they will probably point you at the online FAQ's which are full of legal but not necessarily medical fears.