How can birds sit on electrical lines?

Answer 1

They are sitting on only one wire. So they take on the potential of that wire. Since they don't touch any other wires and aren't anywhere near the ground, current does not pass through them.

Answer 2

The electrical lines are covered with a rubber type of material and the bird is not grounded to anything to transmit the electrical current. That is why birds don't get hurt. However, if you've ever seen a squirell jump on the large silver metal area- that is a different story.

Answer 3

birds can sit on electrical lines because no parts of the birds body is touching the floor so it cannot conduct electricity.. if a para-sailer got caugh on a power lne and the net touched the lines and he toughed the floor then electricity would conduct...get it ? hope this helped xx

Answer 4

Wow lots of people are wrong! to tell you the truth birds can sit on the wires because they are very light weight and not heavy enought for the line to shock it, it's like if the wire to be alive, it wouldn't know the bird is on it

Answer 5

I am not so sure myself but I remembered in science class, my teacher said that bird's feet doesn't conduct electricity. So it just passes through their feet, thats why they can percn on telephone lines without getting electricuted.

Answer 6

birds can sit on energized lines because they are not grounded

Answer 7

the birds arent touching the ground.

Answer 8

because they are not grounded..single conductor can not shock you..but if it hits two lines at once he will get a zap.

Answer 9

because they are not touching anything that grounds them to the earth

Answer 10

electrical lines are insulated...