Warning, Possible Electric Condition On Roosevelt Island Sidewalk Next To Riverwalk Building Across From Tram - Con Ed Investigating Contact Voltage Cause Since December 8

Have you noticed the yellow cones with Do Not Enter warning tape attached

on the sidewalk next to Roosevelt Island's 405 Main street Riverwalk building

in Southtown across from the Tram Station

for about the last 2 weeks? The signage says:

Warning, Possible Electrical Condition, Do Not Enter

On December 19, I asked Con Ed:

Do you have any information on Stray Voltage incident at 405 Main Street sidewalk?

For about a week a section of the sidewalk has been cordoned off with yellow tape that says Caution, Possible Electric Condition.

Con Ed Spokesperson Alan Drury replied:

We are investigating the cause of the condition you referenced. Once we find the cause, we will see that the condition is eliminated.

... We generally use the term “contact voltage,” as opposed to “stray voltage.” Our engineers say each term has a specific meaning and they are two different conditions...

I followed up:

Can you provide any details as to how you determined there was a problem and what is being done to remedy it.

What is the difference between "stray voltage" and "contact voltage"?...

Mr. Drury answered:

We have vehicles that scan the service area for contact voltage. We got a hit on this one on Dec. 8. To locate the source, our people are checking underground vaults (such as manholes) for obvious visual inspections. The search also includes the cutting and reconnecting of cables, and examination of the internal electrical equipment of buildings in the area.

... the main difference is that stray voltage is naturally occurring in an electrical delivery system, while contact voltage indicates faults.

As of today, the "possible electric condition" next to 405 Main Street has not been resolved.

More on contact and stray voltage at this Con Ed report.

UPDATE 12/23 -Spotted workers this afternoon

at the site.

Stray Voltage Investigation Being Conducted By Con Ed and RIOC At Roosevelt Island Tram Station

Image of Roosevelt Island Tram Station Area Being Investigated By Con Ed For Stray Voltage

Yesterday, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez:

Several readers have asked why the Con Ed cones and yellow warning tape have been placed around light poles on both sides of the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza for the last couple of weeks?

Is there a stray voltage problem in this area or is it something else?

Thank you.

and received this reply from RIOC's Press Spokesperson:

Con Edison is currently investigating the source of a stray voltage near the Roosevelt Island Tram Station. A Con Edison work crew is on the scene and is working with the RIOC Engineering Department to determine the cause of the problem.

Later in the day, RIOC sent out the following advisory:

Con Edison is currently investigating the source of a stray voltage near the Roosevelt Island Tram Station. A Con Edison work crew is on the scene and is working with the RIOC Engineering Department to determine the cause of the problem.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Image of Con Ed Cones Around Roosevelt Island Tram Station Light Pole

Con Ed has been investigating stray voltage in the vicinity since last May 25 as reported by Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department.

5/25/2012 R/O 405 Main St Numerous Con Edison cones observed covering five manhole covers, four light poles and one RIOC muni meter as they discovered stray voltage and would return later in the day to correct the condition.

More on Roosevelt Island stray voltage from previous posts.

Stray Voltage From Two Roosevelt Island Light Poles - No Injuries, Repaired By Con Ed

Yesterday, I sent the following inquiry to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez:

The 6/17 - 18 Public Safety Report indicates a stray voltage incident

Con Edison / Stray Voltage - Work was performed on two light poles. No injuries and Con Edison corrected the condition.

Where did the stray voltage incident occur and how was it spotted - by RIOC employee, resident, some other person? Were these two separate incidents at different locations or one incident at same location?

Also,what was the Con Ed investigation in the 6/5 -6 report asked about in previous email below about. Was it also stray voltage or something else.

Thank you.

Will update when a response is received.

More on Roosevelt Island Stray Voltage from previous posts.

Here's how Con Ed handles Stray Voltage.

Roosevelt Island West Road Floodlight Shining Into Riverwalk Apartment Window - Is Con Ed Emergency Generator Lights The Cause?

A Roosevelt Island resident asks:

Do you know who we should contact to ask about the floodlight on W Rd next to 465 Main St?  I just want to know how long it will be up, because it shines ridiculously brightly into our apartment.  If it’s going to be there for quite a while, we might have to invest in drapes. 

Image of West Road Floodlight This Evening

As reported in this post last Saturday, I believe the floodlight has to do with Con Ed shutting off the streetlights on West Road due to a stray voltage situation over the weekend.

... Con edison has temporarily disconnected several lights on the Westdrive between Riverwalk buildings 405 and 425. RIOC has placed emergency generator lights at this location until the street lights are fully restored....

Image of Emergency Generator Lights on West Road

The street light shut off extended to 465 Main Street as well. I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) for an explanation earlier today but have not received a reply yet and also suggested that the resident report the issue to RI 311 See Click Fix. Will update when and if RIOC responds.

Be Very Careful - Con Ed Reports Stray Voltage Coming From Roosevelt Island Street Lights and Parking Meters Between Tram And Subway -Southeast Corner of 405 Main Street Too Advises RIOC

You Tube Video of Con Ed Search For Stray Voltage

Just received this advisory from Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

We have been informed by Con Edison of stray voltages coming out of the street lights and parking meters at the following locations. West Side between the subway and the tram roadway, and southeast corner of Building 6, 405 Main Street. Con Edison and RIOC personal have the areas conned off and secure and are currently working to correct the situation.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

More on Stray Voltage from Con Ed and these previous posts.

UPDATE 12/18 - According to RIOC:

Con edison has temporarily disconnected several lights on the Westdrive between Riverwalk buildings 405 and 425. RIOC has placed emergency generator lights at this location until the street lights are fully restored.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Be Careful - Another Roosevelt Island Credit Card Identity Theft and Stray Voltage Incident This Past Weekend

Identity Theft Image from Identity Theft FAQ

A couple of troubling incidents reported to the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department this weekend.

The first is a report of a credit card identity theft:

0700hrs 01/30/09- 0700hrs 01/31/09
ID Theft- Victim enters PSD to report unknown subject opened eight different credit cards and sent them to different apartments. NYPD took report.

The issue of credit card identity theft problem on Roosevelt Island was discussed at the 1/7 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) meeting and is one of the items that the RIRA Island Services Committee will be focusing upon.

The other incident involved a dog receiving an electrical shock from a light pole. According to the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Report:

2/1/09-7:00 AM to 2/2/09-7:00 AM
Hazardous Condition/Animal Aided- A dog received an electrical currant from a light pole. The dog was transported to an Animal Care facility. It was checked and released. RIOC personnel on scene. Con Edison shut off electricity to the light pole.

There was a similar stray voltage incident last June when a person was injured from an electric shock by a light pole near the Trellis. A product that should be looked into is this from Man Hole Safety:

The Electrified Cover Safeguard™ is the patented warning concept and technology which produces a visual and/or an audible warning to alert the public, workers, and pets of a potential electrocution hazard from stray voltage. These warnings also assist utilities and municipalities to quickly locate and repair dangerous electrified manhole covers, utility boxes and light poles.

Light Pole image from Askew - Not necessarily the light pole that caused shock

Update - 2/3 - Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra provides additional information on these two incidents:

The Identity Theft caper involved a non-island resident who stated that an unknown person opened 8 credit cards that were sent to different apartments at 540 Main St. With the help of the issuing bank, he was able to cancel the cards before any charges could be made on them. NYPD also filed a report on this and the 114th Pct. Detectives are investigating further.

A dog was electricuted by a 110 volt charge coming from a light-pole near the train station. The dog was immediately transported by the Public Safety Department to the Animal Hospital in Manhattan. Thankfully, the dog has recovered and is fine. Con Edison turned off the power from that light-pole and should be making appropriate repairs shortly.

Roosevelt Island Light Pole Electric Shock

Light Pole image from Askew - Not necessarily the light pole that caused shock

According to the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department, a person was injured on Roosevelt Island when he placed his hand on a light pole and received an electric shock. As indicated in earlier stray voltage post I have long been concerned about this danger. Here is the report for June 25.

Hazardous Condition- Male victim placed his hand on a light pole and received a electrical shook. RIOC was notified power turned off.

This can potentially cause very serious injury including death as occurred recently in Brooklyn. From the Queens Ledger:

ELECTRIC SHOCK KILLS MAN

(Brooklyn) Routine work on a telephone pole led to the untimely demise of 46 year-old Steve Clayton, who was killed by an electric shock. He was working on the telephone pole in Fort Hamilton when a live wire came loose and hit him, sending deadly volts of electricity through his body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but nothing could be done to save him. According to Eastern Electric, the company he worked for, the New Jersey native is survived by his wife and three children.

UPDATE: 6/27 - RIOC Public Safety Director Keith Guerra reports:

Regarding the light pole, a person leaned up against the pole and felt a shock. No injures. Power shut off by Engineering.

UPDATE:6/30 - Follow up from Keith Guerra:

It was the lightpole in front of Trelis, across the street from Public Safety. We placed cones around it until it gets repaired.

I think this may be the light pole though I am not sure. On Saturday morning, there were no cones around any light pole by Trellis so I hope that means it has been repaired.

Update on Roosevelt Island Electric Box Incident - Not a Stray Voltage Occurrence

Image of Stray Voltage Detector from Gothamist

RIOC's Director of Engineering provides the following information on the recent incident involving sparks coming from an electric box near 425 Main Street that resulted in this "stray voltage" post.

I have contacted ConEd for information on 2004-2007 stray voltage
testing cycles and any scheduled testing for 2008.

The 3/19/08 Public Safety Incident Report referred to in the blog
occurred within the confines of the Southown construction site of
building 5 & 6. A 4 foot by 4 foot guard shack was being supplied with
power for lighting via an old construction extension cord from the
building. The cord was laying in water and shorted out.

This had nothing to do with ConEd power distribution or street lights.
The cord was replaced by the contractor Monadnock.

I am not aware of any reported stray voltage incidents on the island
since my arrival in September of 07, nor have any such incidents been
related to me by those with longer island memories. Since arriving here
there have been two light poles accidently knocked down resulting in
exposed wiring with potential consequences, and both instances were
responded to immediately by Public Safety and the areas cordoned off.

I will pass along any information I receive from ConEd and keep you
informed of any planed testing and test results.

Good job by RIOC in responding so quickly and thoroughly with explanation on what occurred and in monitoring potential problems with stray voltage.

UPDATE - 4/15/08: InfraShock is a resource for all things concerning stray voltage including a map of stray voltage hot spots.

Protect yourself, your family, and your pet

Your first step may be your last!

Pedestrians, distance yourself from street and traffic lamps and make it a routine to avoid metal grates and manholes when possible. All of them have the potential to be energized year-round. Wintry moisture and accumulated rock salt will heighten the risk, as will precipitation and flooding conditions. Try to minimize the chance of injury by being focused and alert on your stroll. Avoid propping a metal object against the lights; cyclists, lean or lock your bike onto non-electrical equipment instead.

Dog walkers, utilizing a non-metal leash is a safer option. If your dog is resistant to an area it may be energized, so choose an alternative route and notify Con Edison (800-75-CONED) if you are suspicious. If your canine is reacting, do not touch your pet or the live area with your hands or any conductive material.

Any Stray Voltage Protection for Roosevelt Island Pedestrians and Pets? I Prefer Not To Be Electrocuted.

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

Truveo Video link of WCBS story on stray voltage

Stray electrical voltage coming from sidewalks is a very serious problem that has caused injury to pedestrians and their pets as well as one tragic death in 2004 when Jody Lane, a young women walking her dogs was electrocuted on an East Village street. Another example from a February 2007 NY Times article:

A small dog being walked along a downtown sidewalk yesterday was apparently electrocuted moments after crossing an icy manhole cover, according to a veterinarian who examined the animal after a dog-walker brought him in.
...If the cause of Bob’s death is determined to be electrocution, his death would be the latest in a string of episodes in which pet owners or their pets were harmed by stray voltage in metal plates or other objects on the city’s streets and sidewalks.

I raise this issue because the March 20 Roosevelt Island 24 Hour Public Safety Incident Report indicates that sparks were coming out of an electric box by 425 Main Street. The report states:

... Hazardous Condition-electric box by 425 Main St. sparkling due to rain, power was shut-off.

What type of follow-up and remediation is being done by Con Ed and RIOC to insure that tragic injuries or deaths to people and their pets do not result from stray voltage here on Roosevelt Island?

The NY Times City Room blog reviewed this problem last January prior to City Council Hearing on the matter and published this message regarding Con Ed's response to the stray voltage problem.

My name is Roger Lane, the father of Jodie Lane who was electrocuted by ConEd on 1/16/2004.
ConEd is using the media and carefully parsed information to provide a favorable picture in anticipation of next week’s council meeting.
I thought you should see data less parsed.
Stray Voltage [SV] detections by calendar year [data provided by ConEd to Roger Lane]:
• ConEd found 5,455 SV in 2007
• ConEd found 3,331 SV in 2006
• ConEd found 2,508 SV in 2005
• ConEd found 2,344 SV in 2004
That’s a 233% increase over 4 years and 13,638 locations with dangerous voltage.
Reported shock events declined from 378 in 2006 to 295 in 2007 [data provided by ConEd to PSC]. 295 is 6 shocks every week, hardly safe!
It is reported that ConEd has 15 mobile stray voltage trucks working all year. The reality is they own 15 trucks but they are used less than half the time.
ConEd plans 1 manual and 8 mobile test cycles for 2008. They say this will eliminate 90% of the stray Voltage. In the last 4 years ConEd did 4 manual test cycles and 7 mobile test cycles for a total of 11 cycles. If ConEd were right about a 90% reduction in stray voltage with 8 test cycles they should have already solved this issue considering 11 have already been performed…, yet each test cycle continues to find about 1100 stray voltages.
ConEd needs to do more than 9 scans in 2008. The cost of 24 test cycles is estimated at $12M…that’s $3.75 per year per ConEd customer…
Why is ConEd skimping on the safety of New Yorkers?

According to the NY Post:

Less electricity is leaking from Con Ed-managed light poles and electric switching boxes, the utility said yesterday.
Con Ed counted 295 reports of stray electric shocks last year, down from 378 in 2006 - a 22 percent reduction.
Since the company stepped up its search for electrically charged light poles, street boxes and other equipment in 2004, the number of shock incidents has declined by 49 percent, the company says.
"All the shock numbers are going down," said Alfonso Quiroz, a Con Ed spokesman.
Con Ed says it has spent $100 million on its effort to eradicate stray voltage.
A company-designed fleet of 15 high-tech stray-voltage detector vehicles cruise city streets year round, using electronic sensors to seek out shock points on manhole covers, light poles, service boxes and other structures.

Do any of these stray-voltage detector vehicles ever make their way to Roosevelt Island or do we have to wait until someone gets hurt? I am particularly sensitive to this issue because several years ago I was walking down the south side of 50th street towards 2nd avenue following the clean up from a snow storm and received quite a shocking jolt as I stepped on a manhole cover. It was a very unpleasant experience that I remember to this day. I still avoid that manhole cover when walking down 50th street.

UPDATE: - 3/25 - RIOC advises that this was not a stray voltage incident but occurred:

within the confines of the Southown construction site of
building 5 & 6. A 4 foot by 4 foot guard shack was being supplied with
power for lighting via an old construction extension cord from the
building. The cord was laying in water and shorted out.

More here.