Power plants/Dams

Kinda of a stupid question but on our vacation we were thinking about going out to Hoover Dam and touring the dam/power generation areas again--is it a problem with a pacemaker? I'd read somewhere where it's not a good idea to be around power generating equipment or high tension power lines. When I told my husband he was surprised that this could affect me. what's the scoop on that?? (I have sss and am pacing at 64%)

5 Comments

after posting

by kmom - 2014-04-20 11:04:18

this question I did do some research and I think I will be ok as long as I don't get too near the generation equip itself. When researching I found that there are other Dams that generate much more than Hoover! I may just stick to the visitors center and not go thru the tour or if I do refrain from going into the generation room.

Several members have....

by donr - 2014-04-20 11:04:52

....done this. Mixed results.

There are some humongous electrical & magnetic fields in Hoover Dam's alternator rooms. Especially magnetic fields. At least two people have reported ill effects - temporary in nature, but nonetheless, they experienced problems. Fields flipped the PM into magnet mode & was uncomfortable.

Oftimes, in the vicinity of the transformer yards there are extremely strong electrical fields from lower than normal high tension lines - they have been reported to cause trouble w/ PM's.

I doubt if anyone will conduct a flying tackle on you because you are entering an inhospitable area, but there are plenty of signs around warning of the danger.

I think Tracey is one of the hosts experiencing this issue.

Don

dams, etc

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-21 06:04:16

Dams are one of the few things I'm wary of. I've never tried to tour one but I did tour a water treatment plant last year. I felt funky in the generator room, but nothing showed up on the pm report so whatever made me feel weird was no pm-related.

Generation room

by Bobdeham - 2014-04-26 04:04:21

Myself I would stay clear of the Generation room only because that equipment was installed in the 30s and as such has no filtering on them. The electrical fields are going to be very strong as the number of unit on line are going to amply the effect. I'm a retired HV electrical Electrician and in my younger day worked on 348 KVA stuff very hot and dangerous. I visited Hoover and you can see everything nicely from up above and there not anything to be gain by getting up close to them. Enjoy the visit as it really worth seeing. It a walk in history. Gene

Hoover Dam Tour

by PM12March2014 - 2015-03-15 07:03:48

Took the Hoover Dam Tour a week ago (not the Power Plant Tour), but the tour did go to an area above the generators, but far away from them. I had no problems. There were warnings at the ticket purchasing area (not recommended for people with Pacemakers) and I was verbally told I should not go, but I informed them that I work at a power plant and was comfortable around generators (as long as I don't lay on top of them). There is also a Power Plant Tour. I did not go on that tour and not sure if it visits other parts of the power plant.

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