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How come birds can land on power lines without being electrocuted?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
The high voltage is between one wire and the other. From one point on the wire to another point on the same wire, the voltage is quite insignificant. As long as the birds don't touch both wires, nothing much will happen.
The wire does not have a difference in voltage from foot to foot. The term "high voltage" refers from wire to ground. Electricity flows down a voltage gradient. There is no gradient of voltage between the feet.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe reason that birds can land on power lines and not be electrocuted is due to the fact that the birds are not grounded. If the bird touched the ground while it was touching the power line (or shortly after touching a power line) then it would be electrocuted.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoyou need to have contact with the ground (or another source) to create the "connection" that causes electrocution...
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Why do big birds get killed by power lines but little birds don't?
The wingspan on a big bird is large enough to touch two wires at once. Any difference in voltage between the wires will cause current to flow through the bird, perhaps killing it. Small birds can only touch one wire at a time.
How do birds not get electrocuted on power lines?
Actually if we were to sit on a power line and not touch anything else like the birds do we would not get electrocuted.The current a flow of electrons,flows along a path of least resistance the electrons want to get to where they are going in the easiest possible way. Electricity flows from one voltage to another value of voltage. For the birds, the power lines have the same voltage -- so the birds are safe. Don't approach power lines, because humans come from the ground, which is a sink for the current.
Why don't squirrels get electrocuted on power lines?
because they have an extremely good sence of balance, its like tightrope walkers.
Why is it that a bird can perch without harm on high voltage?
There is no curcuit for the bird to get zapped. In order to create a curcuit the live wire has to be "earthed". This cam be done if the bird gets in conatact with another wire, the voltage will create a curcuit which creates a strong electrical current (at 2300v!) which goes straight through the bird and fries it! What you may have noticed however; is that bats can get fried, they usually hang upside down on one wire and the wind blows them into cantact with the other wire.
Do birds gain heat from powerlines in the winter?
Unlikely at most. Just because there is many thousands of volts passing through the lines they land on, there is no grounding done and no electrical charge involved. Many birds land on the lines to see where they will feed next or gather with birds of the same species.
Why do birds get electrocuted on power lines?
Usually they don't.
Can birds get electrocuted if they come in contact with two wires?
Yes, a bird can get electrocuted if it comes in contact with two bare power lines. The power lines are spaced apart so only the largest birds (buzzards, eagles, etc.) would be able to touch two at the same time.
Why do big birds get killed by power lines but little birds don't?
The wingspan on a big bird is large enough to touch two wires at once. Any difference in voltage between the wires will cause current to flow through the bird, perhaps killing it. Small birds can only touch one wire at a time.
What are dodo birds?
the dodo bird is actually on the lines of a tucan without the colors
When birds stand on power lines and don't get hurt it's most likely because of?
OtaGamer Says: The reason that birds don't get hurt on power lines is because they put both of their feet on the wire at the exact same time. Therefore, the electricity passes through one leg and up out of the other. If they lifted up one of their legs, they would be electrocuted and die.
How do birds not get electrocuted on power lines?
Actually if we were to sit on a power line and not touch anything else like the birds do we would not get electrocuted.The current a flow of electrons,flows along a path of least resistance the electrons want to get to where they are going in the easiest possible way. Electricity flows from one voltage to another value of voltage. For the birds, the power lines have the same voltage -- so the birds are safe. Don't approach power lines, because humans come from the ground, which is a sink for the current.
Why do birds not get sparks when flying near high-voltage lines?
If the bird is large enough to touch two different phase voltage lines or a grounded conductor ans a voltage line simultaneously it will be electrocuted. Just touching one line (and not a conductor leading to the ground) will not create a potential difference and so no current will flow.
Why don't squirrels get electrocuted on power lines?
because they have an extremely good sence of balance, its like tightrope walkers.
Can I get electrocuted touching an electric pole if I'm not grounded?
First off you should not be touching any high voltage source whether you are grounded or not. A pole isn't typically dangerous, it is the wires on the pole. A path to ground is required for a current to flow. Technicians working on high voltage power line often touch the lines and ensure they are not grounded when doing so, by using special procedures. That is why birds can sit on bare power lines without getting shocked.
Why do birds sit together on telephone lines?
For a start, most telephone wires are insulated and carry little or no electricity so, apart from falling off and hurting themselves, they won't get hurt on telephone wires. Really, you should have asked about why birds don't get hurt on overhead electrical wires. The answer is fairly simple really - to get electrocuted from those wires you need to complete the circuit, in this case touch the ground, for the electricity to surge through the body. Birds only sit on the wire and do not touch the ground, so they can't be electrocuted.
My Sim got electrocuted and I cleaned her using the shower but when she got out there was still lines of electricity moving around her so how do I get rid of those?
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What is the horizontal line in the middle halfway of all these lines called?
Without being able to see the lines, I'm going to guess it's the Equator.
