Why is it that birds and squirrels can sit and run along power lines without getting electrocuted?

Answer 1

I believe that part of it is because the lines are covered with a coating that prevents them from being electrocuted. But, I've never been up there, so I don't know for sure.

-EA

Answer 2

I think anything can touch them as long as there is nowhere for the electricity to flow TO, i.e. as the birds aren't touching anything else, like the ground, the electricity cant go anywhere so they don't get electrocuted. I think if you sat on a power line like they do you'd be ok, as long as you weren't touching anything else for the current to flow through. Thats why Homer Simpson gets a shock from touching the beer cans on the power line on channel 4 because he's also hanging onto the tree:) P.S. Im only %99 sure SO DO NOT FFS TRY AND TEST THIS THEORY OUT

Answer 3

Because there is little or no 'potential difference' (a.k.a. voltage) between one foot and the other. Without a voltage, there cannot be a current through the body. If they touch something that is grounded (zero volts, with respect to the other point they are touching) like a guy wire holding the pole erect, or the steel frame of the tower, then the voltage will force a current through the resistance of their bodies-- they will get electrocuted. Same goes if they touch another wire at the same time. The wire they are on and the wire they touch are at two different potential levels.

If you don't understand what I mean by voltage, current and resistance, look them up. They are the basic facts of life about electricity, which you will want to understand if you go any further studying science.

7 NOV 06, 0316 hrs, GMT.

Answer 4

Because they are not completing a path between two conductors having different voltages.

They can get fried, though, if things go wrong. Cables may be supported by a bare wire, called a messenger. often the messenger is connected to ground at some point. If a tree branch rubs a hole in an insulated conductor and a squirrel touches both the messenger and the uninsulated conductor he creates a path for electricity to flow. It will not be his finest hour.

Answer 5

They do not complete a circuit. Their bodies assume the potential of the wire that they are sitting on, but no further current flow occurs. You will note that the power iines they use for this are local distribution service lines (about 7200 to 12000 volts above ground); they do not use the high voltage lines (115 kV and up) because their body capacitance and corona discharge causes enough current flow at the higher voltage to be annoying.

Answer 6

Because they are not grounded. Power lines have insulators on each end at the poles so the current can't pass directly along them to the ground. If a skydiver got his parachute tangled in a power line, he'd be safe so long as he doesn't touch another power line, the pole, or the ground.

Answer 7

I am so glad you asked. Birds and squirrels wear very small insulated Nike tennis shoes which keeps their little pointed toes from being shocked as the skip across the wires.

If you very observant and have a small telescope you might actually catch some that wear Adidas or Reebok- but these are rare and difficult to photograph.

Answer 8

Because they're not grounded, electricity is always looking for a way to reach the ground. Since they are only touching the power lines, they won't get shocked.

Answer 9

I'm not sure if this is correct, but I would imagine the power lines are insulated. This would heep any animals from getting electricuted.

Answer 10

Because they are sitting on one side of the circuit. They are not big enough to touch both the negative and the positive