Electrical Terminology, Measurements and Units Associated with the Stunning

Technique in Poultry Processing Plants1 ' 2 ' 3

ALLEN L. INGLING

Department of Veterinary Science, and

WAYNE J. KUENZEL

Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland,

College Park, Maryland 20742

(Received for publication June 17, 1977)

ABSTRACT A variety of possible electrical circuits can be fabricated to stun poultry in

processing plants. At the present time a lack of uniformity in terminology exists when describing

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the electrical features of stunners. Electrical output from several stunners is described including:
AC, 60 Hz; AC, variable frequency; and pulsed DC. In addition sine wave and rectangular wave
outputs are compared. When measuring the voltage output of sinusoidal and full-wave rectified
sinusoidal waveforms, the average value is .636 times the peak value and the effective value is .707
times the peak value. For half wave rectified sinusoidal waveforms, the effective value is 0.50 times
the peak value and the average is 0.318 times the peak value. For rectangular AC waveforms, with
no off time, the peak, average, and effective values are all equal.
A procedure is described for determining the output of a given stunner within a poultry
processing plant. Two instruments are required, a multimeter and a cathode ray oscilloscope. The
procedure includes an accurate description of the waveform output and a direct measure of the
peak, average, and effective voltage used to stun poultry.

INTRODUCTION An a t t e m p t is also m a d e t o explain t h e signifi-

A variety of electrical systems are presently
available and in use in processing plants t o stun
p o u l t r y prior t o slaughter. Detailed descriptions
of s o m e of t h e circuits have n o t been published.
C o n s e q u e n t l y it is n o t always k n o w n w h a t t y p e
of electrical circuit is in use a t any given
p o u l t r y plant. In addition, in discussions with
plant personnel responsible for maintaining and
operating electrical stunners, a lack of uniform-
ity in terminology occurs when describing t h e
electrical features of stunners. It appears timely
t o classify electrical circuits which are currently
e m p l o y e d or can be e m p l o y e d t o s t u n p o u l t r y .
1
Scientific Article No. A2322, Contribution No.
5329 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station
(Departments of Veterinary Science and Poultry Sci-
ence).
2
Electrical instruments and characteristics of com-
mercial stunners mentioned in this study do not imply
endorsement or criticism by the Maryland Agricultural
Experiment Station. In addition, no electrical stunner
should be employed unless it has been installed by a
qualified electrician and until appropriate safety signs
are displayed. The voltages and currents used for
stunning poultry can be hazardous to man.
3 a l o w inherent resistance (less t h a n t h e bird)
Send reprint requests to W. J. Kuenzel.
cance of using a c a t h o d e ray oscilloscope
(CRO) a n d / o r m u l t i m e t e r to measure variables
within a typical circuit.
T h e overall goal of this paper is t o establish a
standard p r o c e d u r e for describing an electrical
system used for stunning p o u l t r y t o pave t h e
way for future studies w h e r e b y specific quanti-
tative electrical values, e.g. voltage, will have a
specific meaning w h e n d e t e r m i n e d in a given
electrical circuit.
Background Information. T h e majority of
investigators will be using a v o l t m e t e r a n d / o r a
C R O t o evaluate t h e o u t p u t of their systems,
b u t it m u s t be k e p t in mind t h a t it is c u r r e n t
t h a t actually does t h e stunning. Voltage and
current are related b y O h m ' s L a w (E=IR,
assuming a p r e d o m i n a n t l y resistive system with
negligible reactance, where E is electromotive
force or voltage, / is c u r r e n t and R is t h e
resistance of t h e s y s t e m ) , therefore a descrip-
tion of either t h e voltage or current waveform
is a d e q u a t e t o describe the o u t p u t of t h e
system. T h e resistance of the system includes
the i n h e r e n t resistance of t h e s t u n n e r as well as
the resistance of t h e bird. T h e brine s t u n n e r has

127
128 INGLING AND KUENZEL
while the fresh-water stunner has a high in-
herent resistance (greater than the bird). The
plate stunner has a resistance intermediate
between the brine and fresh-water stunner and
also has a greater variability in resistance
(Kuenzeland Ingling, 1977).
DISCUSSION
Voltage Class. The first consideration is the
class of voltage: alternating (AC) or direct
(DC). An alternating current or voltage is
defined as one which varies, repeats its pattern
at regular intervals of time called the period,
and whose time averaged value over a period is
zero. A direct current or voltage is one which is
always in the same direction (positive or nega-
tive) with respect to a reference level and can
be either constant, which is unvarying in
amplitude and direction, or pulsative, which is
regularly varying in amplitude, but is always
either positive or negative (Kerchner and Corco-
ran, 1960; A.E.H., 1970; and I.E.E.E., 1972).
In mathematical waveform analysis, any varying
waveform that has an unrectified average value
other than zero is considered as being com-
posed of both DC and AC elements. However
for measurement purposes, the definitions
above are sufficient. A simple test to determine
if AC and/or DC is present is to take readings
on both AC and DC scales of a multimeter. If
only AC is present, then the DC readings will be
zero; if only DC is present, then the AC reading
will be approximately 10% higher than the DC
reading (a factor of 1.1 explained below). If
both AC and DC are present then the DC
reading will obviously fall somewhere between
0 and 90% of the AC reading.
Measurement of Electrical Values. Direct
current and sinusoidal alternating current. For
purposes of measurment, time varying ampli-
tudes of current and voltage (including AC) are
compared to constant DC. That is, the varying
value that will perform equivalently as a non-
time varying DC value is assigned the DC value.
The most common AC scale is the root-mean-
square (RMS) or effective value. The effective
value of a varying DC or AC current is defined
as the constant DC current that has an equiva-
lent heating effect. The average value of an AC
current is defined as the equivalent of a DC
current in electrolysis effect after rectification
of the AC current (Corcoran and Reed, 1957;
and Kerchner and Corcoran, 1960). For sinusoi-
dal and full-wave rectified sinusoidal wave-
forms, the average value is .636 times the peak
value (peak value is the maximum value of
either the positive or negative 1/2 cycle with
the zero line as a reference) and the effective
value is .707 times the peak value (Fig. 1). These
values are constant and are designed into the
meters used to measure sinusoidal current and
voltage (Reed and Corcoran, 1939; Corcoran
and Reed, 1957; and Kirchner and Corcoran,
1960). For half-wave rectified sinusoidal wave-
forms (Fig. 2), the effective value is .500 times
the peak value and the average is .318 times the
peak. Most meters will give inaccurate readings
when used to measure this type of waveform.
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The most common instrument for measuring
current and voltage is a multimeter (such as the
Simpson 260) in which the basic meter move-
ment is the permanent magnet type (d'Arson-
val). This is a DC measuring instrument that
responds to the average amplitude of the
current. For DC the meter responds to the
average value and is calibrated to read this value
in the DC modes. For alternating (AC) voltages
and currents a rectifier is switched internally
into the meter circuit to convert to DC to
which the meter movement then responds.
Since in the majority of cases we are interested
in power equivalency heating effect, propor-
tional to the square of current) rather than
electrolysis effect {proportional to current), the
AC meter scales are calibrated to read in
effective current or voltage, which means that
the scale reads 1.11 times the actual response of
the meter movement itself (the ratio of the
effective to the average is .707/.636 = 1.11).
These ratios and calibrations are only true for
pure sinusoidal and full-wave rectified sinusoi-
dal waveforms and the meters are usually
limited in the frequency range to which they will
respond accurately. In summary, a multimeter
when used in the DC mode on a constant DC
source, will read the correct peak, effective and
average value (all equal). If used to measure
time-varying DC in the DC mode, only the
correct average value will be indicated. For
sinusoidal AC and full-wave rectified sinusoidal
AC in the AC mode, the effective value will be
indicated. For all other waveforms the meter
will indicate 1.11 times the average in the AC
mode.
Non-sinusoidal time varying waveforms. The
basic waveform is the rectangular AC one
shown in Fig. 3A. By definition the peak value
is the maximum of either the positive or
negative half cycle, and the average value is
 ELECTRICAL STUNNING TECHNIQUE 129

60 Hz VARIABLE FREQ.

(+ ) PEAK VOLTAGE
_j_ (PV) j ^

(-) REFERENCE
(ZERO) LINE

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(ONE CYCLE) PERIOD
16.67 msec 6.67msec

I. EFFECTIVE VOLTAGE = . 7 0 7 X PV

2. AVERAGE VOLTAGE = . 6 3 6 X PV
FIG. 1. Sinusoidal alternating current waveforms. Each bold-faced rectangle simulates the display module of
an oscilloscope and contains a tracing as would appear when measuring the output of the stated circuit. The
effective and average voltage indicate: (1) voltages which would be measured when employing a multimeter or
voltmeter, and (2) relationship between these readings and peak voltage (PV) as determined with an oscilloscope.
A specific period of 6.67 msec, is shown to represent variable frequency. A more generalized representation is,
period = 1000/frequency.

equal t o t h e p e a k ( n o t e , however t h a t t h e R M S value. Therefore t h e peak, average, a n d

actual average is zero). T h e effective value is effective values are all equal for t h e rectangular
t h a t value of n o n - t i m e varying DC t h a t will AC waveform shown in Fig. 3 A. M e a s u r e m e n t
perform equivalently and is calculated as t h e of this form of current or voltage w i t h o u t being

HALF WAVE RECTIFICA ION FULL WAVE RECTIFICATION

T T"
PEAK VOLTAGE
J_ (PV) A. /

K /
REFERENCE
(ZERO) LINE
— PERIOD- PERIOD
(ONE CYCLE)
1. EFFECTIVE VOLTAGE = . 5 0 0 X PV I.EFFECTIVE VOLTAGE =.707 X PV
2. AVERAGE VOLTAGE =.318 X PV 2. AVERAGE VOLTAGE =.636 X PV
FIG. 2. Rectified sinusoidal alternating current waveforms (pulsed direct current waveforms). Each
bold-faced rectangle simulates the display module of an oscilloscope and contains a tracing as would appear
when measuring the output of the stated circuit. The effective and average voltage indicate: (1) voltages which
would be measured when employing a multimeter or voltmeter, and (2) relationship between these readings and
peak voltage (PV) as determined with an oscilloscope.
130 INGLING AND KUENZEL

B
ALTERNATING CURRENT DIRECT CURRENT ALTERNATING CURRENT

t, T
1
(+) PEAK
VOLTAGE
vo
(PV)^

(-) \
\
RFFf
A
CE
-*| PERIOD I*- (ZERO) LINE
OFF TIME PULSE WIDTH
"ON" TIME

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1. EFFECTIVE VOLTAGE = PV GENERALIZED CASE SAME AS B
1/2
2. a. AVERAGE VOLTAGE I. EV = PV ( "ON" TIME/PERIOD) USE RECTIFIED AVERAGE
(with RECTIFICATION) = PV
2. AV * PVC'ON" TIME/PERIOD)
b. AVERAGE VOLTAGE WHEN 'bN" TIME*'OFF" TIME
(w/o RECTIFICATION)
1. EV .707 PV
2. AV .500 PV

FIG. 3. Alternating and direct current rectangular waveforms. Each bold-faced rectangle simulates the display
module of an oscilloscope and contains a tracing as would appear when measuring the output of the stated
circuit. The effective and average voltage indicate: (1) voltages which would be measured when employing a
multimeter or-voltmeter, and (2) relationship between tiiese readings and peak voltage (PV) as determined with
an oscilloscope.

aware of the limitations of the measuring Solution:

instrument will lead to error. If the DC mode is
used, then a value of zero will be obtained. If
the AC mode is used, the effective voltage as
read will be 10% higher than the true effective
voltage. The meter movement will respond
properly to the rectified average, but the scale
calibration of 1.11 times the average will give
an erroneous reading, since in this case the true
effective value is equal to the average value.
Fig. 3B and 3C show two types of rectangu-
lar waveforms that appear quite different,
however analysis will prove that they are
identical in effect. If measured in the DC mode,
the wave of Fig. 3B will give an average value
directly on the meter scale which is equal to
.500 the peak. If measured in the AC mode, it
will give an erroneous reading of 1.11 X
average, since the RMS calculation shows the
effective value to be actually 1.414 times the
average, an error of nearly 30%.
Example. Given: (1) A square wave form in
which 'On' time is one half that of total period.
(2) PV = Peak Voltage.
Calculate: Effective voltage, average voltage,
and the ratio of effective to average.
(1) Effective Voltage = PV ('On' Time/Peri-
od)I/2
= PV (»/2)1/2 = .707 PV
(2) Average Voltage = PV ('On' Time/Peri-
od)
= PV O/2) = .5 PV
(3) Effective/Average = .707/.05 = 1.414
The waveform of Fig. 3C will give a zero
reading in the DC mode, but will give an
identical reading as that of Fig. 3B in the AC
mode, and the calculated average and effective
values are identical to those calculated for Fig.
3B.
From this discussion it can be seen that an
AC waveform can be equated to a time varying
DC waveform by reflecting the negative portion
of the waveform and superposing it upon the
positive portion (rectification). The average
value of any waveform can be determined with
a multimeter by dividing the AC mode value by
1.11. An estimate of the error between the
measured effective value and the true effective
value of rectangular waveforms can be obtained
by considering that, as calculated above, when
 ELECTRICAL STUNNING TECHNIQUE
the 'on' time is equal to the 'off time, then the
error is nearly 30%. As the on/off ratio in-
creases, then the error decreases to a minimum
of 10% (AC mode, measuring AC or DC) and as
the on/off ratio decreases, the error exceeds
30%.
There are commercial instruments that have
meter movements (dynamometer type) which
respond directly to the square of the current.
They have scales calibrated as the square root
of the basic reading, and therefore read the
effective value of any waveform directly. A
simple rule for distinguishing the average read-
ing meter from the effective (since both are
scaled in effective) is that the average reading
meter has a linear scale while the effective
reading meter has a non-linear scale, that is the
graduations at one end of the scale are notice-
ably compressed in relation to those at the
other end (these are voltage and current ranges,
do not confuse this rule with the resistance
range on a multimeter which is non-linear).
The only method of properly determining
the true shape of non-sinusoidal forms is by
using the CRO. The instrument must have the
capability of direct-coupled input and the
pickup probe must not be capacitively coupled
or the waveform will be distorted.
Electrical Characteristics of Stunners. Table
1 gives the possible circuits that can be used to
stun poultry. The simplest circuit is one direct-
ly derived from an AC power line without
rectification. If monitored by a CRO, the
output appears as a sinusoidal waveform. The
TABLE 1 .—Classification of electrical circuits
used to stun poultry
I. Alternating current (AC) circuits
A. Standard 60 Hz AC
B. Variable frequency AC
1. Sine wave variable frequency
2. Rectangular wave variable frequency
II. Direct current (DC) circuits
A. Constant DC (all frequency components com- birds with 55 volts, while another using full-
pletely filtered out)
B. Pulsed DC circuits obtained after rectification in frequency. Another concept that adds some
of standard 60 Hz, AC circuits
1. Pulsed DC — after half-wave rectification, complexity is that of peak-to-peak voltage. In
frequency = 60 Hz
2. Pulsed DC — after full-wave rectification, types with slow rise and fall times, peak-to-peak
frequency = 120 Hz
C. Variable frequency pulsed DC
1. Rectified sine wave variable frequency
2. Rectangular wave variable frequency
131
waveform is an example of a true alternating
current at 60 Hz (Fig. 1). Voltage of the circuit
can be readily determined by connnecting a
voltmeter in parallel with the bird or birds to be
stunned.
If an oscillator and other electronic compo-
nents are correctly wired into a standard A.C.
circuit, the frequency (Hz) can then be changed
at will. The variable frequency output (Fig. 1)
can either be a sine wave or rectangular wave
depending upon the electronic circuitry.
Another type of circuit is constant DC with
all frequency components filtered out. Voltage
can be measured by connecting a voltmeter be-
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tween the positive and negative terminals of the
power supply. A different type of DC circuit
can be produced after rectification of standard
60 Hz, AC circuits. A single diode in the
current path of a sinusoidal wave produces
half-wave rectification, which is properly
classed as pulsative (or pulsed) DC, with a pulse
rate equal to the frequency of the original AC
(Fig. 2). Full-wave rectification, obtained either
with a bridge rectifier (four diodes) or two
diodes and a center tapped transformer, pro-
duces pulsative DC with a pulse rate double
that of the original AC frequency (Fig. 2).
Potential Problems in Measuring and Deter-
mining Electrical Characteristics Which Stun
Poultry. A voltmeter connected directly to the
AC power line will read 110 volts nominal (this
may vary from 110 to 120 depending on the
derivation). This is the effective value and the
peak voltage is about 156 volts (1/.707 X 110
v). With half-wave rectification, the voltmeter
would read 55v (eff.) although the true effec-
tive value is 78v. With full-wave rectification,
the reading is back to llOv (eff.) although with
either type of rectification, the peak voltage is
still 156 volts. It is easy to see how confusion
can arise between individuals using these simple
line derived systems. One individual using half-
wave rectification may feed that he is stunning
birds with 55 volts, while another using full-
wave rectification may feel that he is stunning
156 volt peak pulses, the only difference being
systems using sinusoidal waveforms or similar
voltage is probably not important, but for
rectangular waveforms a peak-to-peak effect
may be important. The peak-to-peak voltage for
the AC power line is 312 volts, but the peaks
132 INGLING AND KUENZEL

SINE WAVE VERSUS SQUARE WAVE

PEAK-TO
PEAK
VOLTAGE

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1/2 CYCLE
TRAILING LEADING
EDGE EDGE
FIG. 4. Comparison of peak-to-peak voltage of sinusoidal and rectangular (square) AC waveforms.

are displaced b y a half-cycle. With a true AC DISTORTED A.C. RECTANGULAR

rectangular wave, t h e leading and trailing edges
PULSE WITH LEADING SPIKE
of successive pulses coincide and the actual
voltage change at t h a t p o i n t is then t h e peak-
to-peak voltage (Fig. 4). With a rectangular
pulsed DC waveform, t h e peak-to-peak voltage
is also t h e peak voltage (Fig. 3B) and although
(+) PEAK VOLTAGE

we have shown b y analysis this is similar t o t h e -i-

AC rectangular waveform, t h e stunning effect
might well be quite different. Research has y e t (- )
t o be d o n e t o d e t e r m i n e if t h e major stunning
effect is d u e t o t h e rapidity of t h e voltage
—»| f « — PERIOD
change, is due t o t h e excursion from t h e (ONE CYCLE)
reference (peak voltage) or is a c o m b i n a t i o n of
t h e t w o . In addition a third factor, pulse w i d t h , I. EFFECTIVE VOLTAGE = INDETERMINATE
m a y be i m p o r t a n t .
2 . a . AVERAGE VOLTAGE
A characteristic n o t considered w h e n using (with RECTIFICATION) = INDETERMINATE
rectangular waveforms is a spike t h a t is often b. AVERAGE VOLTAGE
present on t h e leading edge of t h e pulse. It is (w/o RECTIFICATION) = ZERO
n o t unusual for this spike t o be much greater
t h a n t h e peak voltage of t h e pulse, so t h a t a 3. PEAK VOLTAGE INDETERMINATE
system t h a t seems t o be effective with a 4 0 volt
FIG. 5. Distorted AC rectangular waveforms. The
peak pulse train m a y actually be stunning with
bold-faced rectangle simulates the display module of
a 150 volt n a r r o w pulse on t h e leading edge of an oscilloscope and contains a tracing as would appear
t h e 4 0 volt pulse (Fig. 5). In m a n y cases spikes when measuring the output of the stated circuit. The
of this t y p e are n o t visible o n a C R O trace. T h e effective and average voltage indicate: (1) voltages
reason is t h a t t h e resolution is t o o low, since which would be measured when employing a multim-
eter or voltmeter, and (2) relationship between these
t h e frequencies m a k i n g up t h e spike are greatly readings and peak voltage (PV) as determined with an
different from t h e basic frequency of t h e pulse oscilloscope. Precise voltage values cannot be deter-
train. mined.
 ELECTRICAL STUNNING TECHNIQUE
Suggested Procedure for Determining the
Output of a Given Stunner from a Poultry
Processing Plant. 1. Determine the type of
circuit used to stun poultry. If the system is
relatively simple, it may be easily recognized to
be an AC power line derived system: sinusoidal
AC, half-, or full-wave rectified. If a more
complex system is used, proceed to Step 2.
2. If the type circuit utilized is unknown,
then use a CRO to determine the shape of the
output waveform. Attempt to match the out-
put tracing with one of the figures presented in
this paper and analyze as outlined.
3. Determine the voltage output (peak volt-
age) of the circuit using the CRO. Convert that
reading to effective and average voltage using
the appropriate constants or calculations from
the figures.
4. Verify the CRO determination by em-
ploying a standard voltmeter or multimeter and
interpreting the reading as described herein.
The voltmeter and the CRO should be con-
133
nected directly across the circuit wired to the
bird(s). Particular attention should be directed
to connecting beyond an ammeter, if one is
used, since the voltage developed across the
ammeter may well be an appreciable fraction of
the voltage developed across the bird.
REFERENCES
American Electrical Handbook, 1970. Ed. H. Watt.
McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York.
Corcoran, G. F., and H. R. Reed, 1957. Introductory
Electrical Engineering. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.,
New York.
I.E.E.E., 1972. Standard Dictionary of Electrical and
Electronic Terms. Wiley-Interscience, New York.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Simon Fraser University on May 29, 2015
Kerchner, R. M., and G. F. Corcoran, 1960. Alternat-
ing Current Circuits. 4th Ed. John Wiley and Sons,
Inc., New York.
Kuenzel, W. J., and A. L. Ingling, 1977. A Comparison
of Plate and Brine Stunners, A. C. and D. C. Cir-
cuits for Maximizing Bleed-Out in Processed Poul-
try. Poultry Sci. (In press).
Reed, H. R., and G. F. Corcoran, 1939. Electrical
Engineering Experiments. John Wiley and Sons,
Inc., New York.