if you were to stand on the floor in a bumpercar hall and touch the wire mesh above,would you be electrocuted?

Question

I'm pretty sure the answer to this is "yes" - but if so, how is this allowed? I'm just under 6ft tall and could easily touch the wire, even accidentally if I was waving my arms above my head. Or are they low voltage?

Answer 1

Detailed Product Description

Specifiction:162*90*70cm
Power: 200W
Rated voltage:24V


Voltage is only 24 volts, so it certainly won't kill you.
Manufacturers specs below.

The base of the track has a very low potential as it is in contact with the ground, so the current will not be a problem when you walk on the track. If you put your hand on the live area you would get a shock, but not a big one as the cars just don't use that much power.

If anyone other than the ride attendants walks on the track, the power is switched off, you you won't get a chance to electrocute yourself

p/v = I therefore the current (I) is only just over 4 amps. You might get a tingle.

To the physics student who commented on the use of voltage, I suggest that he could have easily worked out the current from the information I provided above. I have now done it for him.

Answer 2

Having the wire mesh that low would be really bad design.
I don't know what voltages are commonly used.
Most shoe soles provide relatively good insulation.
The power is ALWAYS turned off when people are walking around.
Power would be immediately shut off by the operator if someone stood up, got out of a car, or walked onto the floor during the ride.

So, the risk is very low unless the ride is very badly designed.
The risk is extremely low for any ride built in the last decade or two, in any country that places any value at all on human life.

Answer 3

...ff you were to hold up your hand while standing up, while the cars are running, which is never the case. The operator kills the power whenever someone is walking around, which is also to ensure no one will drive around while riders are still getting in and risk running into someone.
The power used is most likely the same voltage as the one you get domestically, i.e. 110 v in North America. Why would they get complicated voltage adjusting system when a suitable power exists already--the motor are similar to the ones used in electric lawnmower in power.
Anyone tall enough to touch the wire mesh and silly enough to do so while power is on, AND wearing shoes that do not have rubber soles, will get a shock and the experience is unlikely to be lethal, but quite likely to be painful.

Answer 4

Hmm, what people here dont seem to be understanding is thats its not the voltage that kills you - its the current. If the current is low, you wont die, and if the current is extremely high, you might not die, but if the current operates at around the same level as the basic electrical current that your heart uses to pulse, then there is a high chance your heart will stop.

So, to surmise, a high or low voltage means nothing. You could experience 10,000 volts and live, if the current is low enough.

Answer 5

Its low voltage/high amperage. The motors in the cars could be 12v or 24v. I don't think it would kill you.

Think about it. Do you think they'd let carnivals run a ride where you could get killed by touching the overhead mesh? They go to a lot of trouble to make those rides as safe as possible!

Answer 6

Too low voltage to kill, it would feel like sticking your tounge on a phone line connector or a bad static shock.

Answer 7

What a shocking thought.
Should this question not be in current affairs?

Answer 8

The only way to find out is to try it. If you survive the electocution, then come back and let us know the outcome.

Answer 9

i really think that....... oh forget it