why doesnt the birds get eletrocuted when they are standing on high voltage power lines?

Answer 1

Birds can often safely perch on a power line without being electrocuted. For the bird (or other animal) to be electrocuted, a potential difference must exist across two points of the bird's body (its feet in the case of a bird on a power line). When perching on a single power line, there is no potential difference between the bird's feet, so it is safe. If the bird (or other animal) touches two power lines at a time, or one power line and a ground (like a ground wire or the earth itself), the animal would be electrocuted and die. Many large birds (like eagles and vultures) are electrocuted when their wide wings touch a power line and a ground wire at the same time (often while flying in to land on a power line).

This is why it is VERY unsafe to fly a kite near power lines. If the kite gets tangles in the power lines, the kite string acts as a ground, and you can be electrocuted.

Answer 2

Electrical current flows through the "path of least resistance"....it would much rather follow the path of the wire than detour through the bird. However, if the bird were to put one foot on the wire, and the other foot touched a wire that went to "ground", it'd fry in no time. See the below link for a good explanation.

Answer 3

The wires are still insulated. But they hit a bald spot and it's a cooked meal for someone

Answer 4

there is nowhere for the power to go. electricity needs somewhere to flow to. if you touch 2 power lines it can kill you, also if you touch a power line and the ground etc.

Answer 5

I think you need to touch 2 wires to get electrocuted

Answer 6

I heard somewhere that you have to touch two wires at once to actually get electrocuted.

Answer 7

if the bird lands on just 1 line he becomes part of that conduter (circut) but if it touches 2 BOOM.

Answer 8

their is a rubber protection over the rope