Scientist is keen to test 'Devil tractor' theory in lab

Dr Vidyadhar Peesapati, a knowledge transfer research fellow in the university's Electrical Energy and Power Systems Group, has put the call out on Twitter.

'We're able to re-create the voltage of lightning, but not the current, so we'll never get a definite answer on this one, but I'd like to try,' he said.

'I was approached by a farmer from Devon who says this has happened before. In that instance the tractor was in gear, crashed into a shed when it self-started, and a successful insurance claim was made.'

Father and son Horace and James Camp both saw the phenomenon separately while at home on their farm with a machine they call the Devil.

James, a writer, was checking a roof for leaks after the deluge from a thunderstorm when he noticed a tractor outside was running,

'I went out to turn the engine off, luckily we don't ever leave it in gear so it wasn't going anywhere. We have builders in at the moment so at first I thought one of them had started it for some reason.' he said.

'I've been looking to quirky local stories for inspiration lately, but you couldn't even make this one up.'

Later on Horace, a regular columnist for the Guernsey Press, heard the tractor start up for the second time after the builders had left the property. That was when they realised it might have had something to do with the lightning strike.

DR VIDYADHAR Peesapati uses his knowledge in power systems and high voltage, providing short-term consultancy and research solutions to UK and international power companies.

The role involves working with industries in different fields, including power, energy, aerospace and marine transport.

His role is to support the design of high voltage products and systems, providing testing in the HV laboratories as well as specialist simulation support using software including 3D simulations.

He support the electrical power industry by providing it with 'non-routine' high voltage testing and consultancy.

His job is not only to look at new developments in the energy markets, but also understand the ageing of existing assets on the electricity network.

His job at the university is to try and find novel solutions to problems faced by the power industry, working mostly with industrial partners, in the UK and abroad.

Some challenges faced by industry need different fields of expertise, in which case he works with colleagues from different research groups and areas, to try to find multi-disciplinary solutions.

Most of the work he does is presented at international conferences or technical meetings, to showcase the facilities and knowledge base at the university.

He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students to raise awareness and interest in his area of expertise.

Source: manchester.ac.uk