A portion of Sixth Avenue also known as the Avenue of the Americas in Chelsea was recently shut down after Consolidated Edison of New York, the provider of electric service, detected stray voltage.
A portion of Sixth Avenue also known as the Avenue of the Americas in Chelsea was recently shut down after Consolidated Edison of New York, the provider of electric service, detected stray voltage. The section affected by the potentially dangerous electricity was said to be between West 26th and 27th streets.
The situation was unnerving for anybody walking in this area. That's because the crew was having a tough time pinpointing the source of that stray voltage. [WABC-TV]
The stray voltage was initially discovered on a subway grate in the early morning hours by a Con Edison truck that regularly monitors city streets for such problems. Later that morning, the block was closed off because it had increased from 1 to 44 volts. Nearby doorknobs, frames and grates were affected.
Thankfully no one was injured. Stray voltage can be fatal. The risk is greatly amplified following heavy rains or snowfall. When either one or both of those natural weatherly patterns occurs, salt and water can cause short circuits and damages to power lines.
After the block was closed, workers were busy trying to find the source of the problem. They soon learned a faulty service line was the culprit and once corrected, the area was reopened to the public.
