2007-02-07 10:11:48 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment
Linda,
Under no circumstances should you go near it. It could, indeed, still be live. Call the local utility and tell them about it.
The reason for not going near it is that electrical power can be transmitted through the ground, and the closer that you are to the line, the higher the voltage in the ground will be.
Voltage is often likened to water pressure. In a water hydrant on the street, most of the time no water comes out of it. That doesn't mean that there's no water in it or that the water in it is not highly pressurized. All you need to do is to open the valve and water will come gushing out.
A line on the ground is like that. There's a lot of electricity just waiting to flow through someone, and all it takes is a "pressure" difference (voltage) to make it flow.
There can be enough of a pressure difference between your feet when you are walking toward or away from it to make the electricity in the ground flow through you. You don't even have to touch the wire. All you feet have to do is to touch two places on the ground, both with enough voltage to make the electricity flow, and enough of a difference in voltage between your feet for it to actually do so.
People have been killed just waking too closely to a downed wire. They didn't even touch it.
So, please, if you see one, stay away from it and call someone who can fix it.
2007-02-07 10:27:01 · answer #1 · answered by eutychusagain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't go near it, don't touch it - report it to the local authorities.
The reason you should not go near powerlines (in any case) is because if you are not properly grounded (static electricity) you are in danger of receiving an eletrical discharge which can potentially kill you or burn out a limb.
Touching a powerline, or touching a conducter it is touching, like a puddle of water, without proper equipment will make you a concudter and you'll be electrocuted.
2007-02-07 18:28:51 · answer #2 · answered by Schtolteheim Reinbach IV 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the local power company immediately! Stay away and if possible keep others away. If the current is live it will seek the easiest source of grounding and the human body being composed of 90% water will attract the current. It is very possible that the voltage in the line would be fatal. STAY AWAY
2007-02-07 18:22:47 · answer #3 · answered by TREVER M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call 911 and they will call the power company. They'll also send a car out to make sure that no one goes near it. Why? Because electrocution should be reserved for murderers.
2007-02-07 18:19:54 · answer #4 · answered by kelly-il 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay clear of it, and report it to the local utility company.
If the wires are still electrically hot, you could be injured or killed.
2007-02-07 18:17:36 · answer #5 · answered by sparbles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well run away!! (especially if its raining) but first call the government people and say that it is down and hopefully evrything will be ok then
2007-02-07 18:19:33 · answer #6 · answered by Courtney 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fry hotdogs. why? why not? also gives off an interesting aroma. and the hotdogs flippin round and fryn.
2007-02-07 22:54:30 · answer #7 · answered by Wattsup! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stay away and inform the community / authorities
2007-02-07 18:20:46 · answer #8 · answered by rin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not go near it because it still might be active.
2007-02-07 18:15:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋