Yes, it's bad terminology. In my usage, an electric or magnetic field is a subset of the more general electromagnetic field. But that's the way its used sometimes.
Here's an article which refers to MacKay and Vinson, from 1997:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...09/ai_n8760991
Quote:
The ants also have been a major factor in air conditioner failures. Service personnel in Texas have reported that fully one third of all summer repairs stem from ants shorting out terminal blocks. They also have been found to have set up housekeeping in televisions, well pump controls, telephone junction pedestals, airport runway lights, utility watthour meters, electrical plugs and lamp sockets, computers, and transformers-where they prefer to nest on the high-voltage side.
Why are imported red fire ants attracted to electric fields? No one is yet ready to offer a theory. But biologist Dr. William P. MacKay of the University of Texas at El Paso and entomologist Professor S. Bradleigh Vinson of Texas A&M have succeeded in eliminating a number of possible factors.
They have found fire ant behavior does not correlate with a-c frequencies, or with the presence of ozone, electromagnetic or magnetic fields. Nor is the type of insulation used on wiring a factor. In tests up to 140V a-c and 350V d-c, both attracted almost the same number of ants at the same voltage and distance. However, they did find that when electricity was turned off, ants attracted to d-c power dispersed more rapidly than those who had been experiencing the nirvana of an a-c source.
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And yes, the contactor I mentioned above is a NEMA size 1, across the line (with electronic overload relay) controlling a 3HP 208V motor.
I'm going to ask some linemen I know if they've had any problems with fire ants in pad mounts. I seem to recall mention of fire ants getting in pad mounts, but I can't remember for sure.
-Richard