Okay, let's break down this interesting situation with your long, disconnected conductor.1) Is this even possible for 35 VAC to be felt by touch under certain conditions, or is something else going on here?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to feel 35 VAC, especially with sweaty skin. Several factors come into play: Skin Resistance

Dry skin has high resistance. Sweaty or wet skin dramatically reduces that resistance. Think of it this way: you can often touch a dry wire briefly without feeling anything. However, touch the same wire with damp hands and you'll definitely feel it. The salt in sweat further reduces resistance.

Individual Sensitivity

Some people are more sensitive to electrical current than others.

Point of Contact

The smaller the contact area, the more concentrated the current density and the more likely you are to feel it. A fingertip is more sensitive than the palm of your hand.

Path to Ground

The current needs a path to ground to complete the circuit. If you are well-insulated from ground (e.g., wearing rubber-soled shoes on a dry surface), you are less likely to feel the voltage. But if you are standing on damp ground, barefoot or wearing damp shoes, or touching a grounded object, you're much more likely to feel it.

Frequency

60Hz is in a frequency range that the human body is quite sensitive to.Given that you were working outside in the heat and sweating, your skin resistance would have been significantly lowered, making you much more sensitive to even a relatively low voltage like 35 VAC. The tingling sensation is a result of a small current flowing through your body. While 35 VAC isn't immediately lethal, repeatedly subjecting yourself to current flow through the body can have potential health consequences.

2) Is this from some sort of capacitive coupling to a nearby AC system?

Yes, capacitive coupling is the most likely cause. Here's how it works: Capacitance

The long conductor, insulated by the THWN and separated from the grounded conduit and surrounding earth, forms a capacitor. The longer the conductor, the larger the capacitance.

Nearby AC Source

The overhead power lines (or even the house wiring if relatively close) create an electric field.

Capacitive Coupling

The electric field from the nearby AC source induces a voltage on the long, ungrounded conductor through capacitive coupling. Think of it as the conductor acting like an antenna, picking up the electric field.The fact that both conductors show a similar voltage to ground, and zero voltage between them, strongly suggests capacitive coupling from an external source. If the voltage was coming from a source internal to the wire, then you should measure a potential between the two conductors.Parallel runs increase the capacitive coupling effect.

3) What would you call this? Stray voltage? Touch potential? Stray Voltage

This is a good general term to describe the presence of voltage on an ungrounded conductor where you wouldn't expect it.

Touch Potential

This refers to the voltage a person could be exposed to if they touched the conductor. In this case, the touch potential is the 35 VAC to ground.

Should I be grounding the conductor in longer runs like this before working with bare hands, even though it's not physically connected to any sources or loads yet?Absolutely, YES! This is a very important safety precaution. Here's why and how: Discharge the Capacitance

Grounding the conductor will bleed off the accumulated charge caused by capacitive coupling. This will eliminate the voltage potential.

Safety Best Practice

As a general rule, always assume a conductor is energized, even if you know it's supposed to be de-energized. This practice is even more important with long runs of wire.

How to Ground

The easiest and safest way is to temporarily connect the conductor to a known good ground (e.g., the ground bar in the electrical panel, a properly installed grounding electrode). You can use a grounding clip and a length of wire for this purpose. Make sure your grounding wire is appropriately sized for the potential fault current.

Steps to take immediately


GROUND the conductor(s) before continuing work. Use a temporary grounding cable connected to a known good ground.2. Verify the voltage is gone after* grounding using your multimeter.3. Maintain Ground

Keep the conductors grounded whenever you are working on them. Remove the ground only when you are ready to make the final connections.4.

Communication

If possible, determine the voltage and distance of the nearest utility lines. This information will provide a better context to assess the coupling effect.5.

Future Considerations: This situation highlights the importance of proper grounding practices throughout your entire installation. Ensure that the solar array and the inverter are properly grounded according to code.By following these steps, you can work safely with the conductors and prevent any potential electrical shocks. The key takeaway is to respect electricity and always take precautions, even when dealing with seemingly de-energized circuits. Flag for review