Birds and Squirrels on Power Lines
If you have ever seen (I bet you have seen before) a squirrel running or birds setting on live wires. It shows that they are not getting electrocuted by electricity due to some reasons. Lets explain these reasons in details as follow.
Birds and Squirrels are not Good Conductors
Well, We know that electricity is too lazy like us (expect me) and they find the easiest and short path with little resistance as compared to high resistance.
Electricity always flow from high level to the low level (same like water). Firstly, they find an easiest way (like a short conductor with parallel of a high resistance) to flow. Same as it flows from the live (Line) to the neutral (ground level of voltage is zero). In short, electricity flow when there is a potential different between two points.
Does this Role Apply to the Human Body?
Same as the case for human being. If someone touch the live wire (Line) while he is not touching the ground (even on chairs, ladders etc), He will not get electrocuted unless they touch the ground wire or another wire have different voltage level. As this way, there will be a potential different due to different level of voltages, so current will start to flow through it same like loads connected in parallel circuit. the “Human body is not a good conductor” will not apply then as it is acting as a “load” where current will flow through it. So be afraid, be very afraid and don’t try this at home.
For low voltages, the impedance (Z) is too high which wont be able to make an arc to the birds through the air. But in case of very high voltage, if a bird with different potential level set on the lines, It will electrocuted the bird same like arc flashing to rod in case of helicopter.
When Birds Electrocuted on Power Lines?
As explained above, when the birds or squirrel on line make a direct contact with another wire having different level of voltage or ground wire (having zero voltage) at the same time. This difference of voltage levels cause the flow of current through the birds between two conductors.
Be afraid, Be very Afraid, Don’t Try this at Home.
As mentioned above, please dont play with electricity. Now you also know that you may touch the Live (Line) wire while being in the air and not touching the ground or any other object like chair, ladder, wall etc, You are safe. But don’t give it a try as we have shown some example like birds setting on the power lines, lineman working on the live power lines from the helicopter. Stay safe.
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