Why don't birds get electrocuted when they sit on overhead cables?

Answer 1

Because they are not grounded (by touching the ground) to complete the circuit. At least that is what I heard.

Here is a link to that...it turns out larger birds can indeed be electrocuted that way..
http://www.fws.gov/birds/documents/powerlines.pdf

Answer 2

ok, I'll try and tell you without confusing you. If a bird sits on a wire, it will not get electrocuted because electricity takes the easiest route, which is through the wire. It would be the same if a human was hanging onto the wire. However, if the bird or human was touching the ground and the wire at the same time, they would get electrocuted because the electricity would travel through them, and down to the ground.

Hope I made it clearer for you!

Answer 3

For an electric current to flow, a complete path must exist. In
the case of birds on a wire, no path exists that is better (lower resistance)
that the one that already exists. Three conditions must exist if the "bird"
were to get shocked:
1 - There must be sufficient potential and electric current to overcome the
body resistance of the bird (no problem there).
2 - There must be little or no insulation on the wire (sometimes no problem).
3 - The bird must simultaneously contact the bare wire and a conductor
providing a path to ground (earth) or another conductor with a different
electric potential (a second phase of AC current, for example). Since most
high wires are sufficiently Separated to prevent this type of thing from
occurring, and they are also insulated both on their surface and on from the
poles, it is unlikely that a bird will become a crispy critter. It does
happen though . . .

Answer 4

because of the fact electricity has to bypass from A (source) to B (the earth), via way of something that's engaging in it. If what's turning out to be to be a member of the two factors would not habit, e.g rubber, or if their is not any conductor then the electric energy won't return and forth. The chook sits on the cord nad because of the fact the chook isn't touching the floor the two promptly or no longer promptly the electricty incorporates on alongside the cord, 'ignoring' the chook. If even though you have been to return alongside and lean a metallic rod against the chook you would be making a connection and the chook (and you) could be electrocuted. in case you used a wood rod, or wore thick rubber wellies even though, the relationship would not paintings. it is why electricity poles are created from timber, and why the wires are placed up extreme so noone is tall sufficient to touch them.

Answer 5

Because they arn't 'grounded'. People only get electrocuted when the current passes through them e.g. putting your fingers in a socket whilst standing on the floor will get you fried. Because the birds arn't in contact with anything but the wire they cannot get electroctued. However if the were to stand on two seperate wires, one ith each foot then they would get cooked alive.

Answer 6

In order for them to get electrocuted they have to make contact with both the polarities of the current.

Think of a car battery, it has a positive and a negative. You have to connect both terminals to power up your car.

Birds usually sit on only one wire so the circuit is not complete.

I have seen birds land on top of transformers and literally explode, shortly before the transformer explodes.

Good question

star for you

Good luck

Answer 7

They would if they were "earthed". The electricity does not flow through them while they are on the cable. If they were to tough one of their wings to the post and allow the electricity to flow properly then ffffsssstttt ... Voila Sparrow Flambe.

xxR

Answer 8

because the cables are positive charged and the birds are not earthed to the ground and they love to have their feet ticked

Answer 9

Because they are not earthed so the current has nowhere to go. This question has been asked a zillion times before of YA!

Answer 10

Because the cables are coated with rubber or plastic to stop it from happenning.