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There is no path for current to flow from the wires to the ground, through the bird. It is possible that touching two wires could cause current to flow, but the individual wires are usually far apart.
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∙ 10y ago
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∙ 14y agoThey can only be electrocuted if their tail is touching the ground, which would complete the electrical circuit. Their tail isn't so the circle is broken.
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∙ 13y agoThey'd have to be touching the ground as well as the wire. This is why you sometimes get zapped when you touch metal (unless it has a ground wire attached to it).
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∙ 11y agoBecause they themselves are not connected to the ground and there must be some sort of insulator eg. wooden pole connecting them to the ground
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∙ 10y agowhy bird
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Do ducks commonly sit on power lines?
I have seen many types of birds sitting on power lines, but never a duck. That would be an outstanding balancing act considering they have webbed feet!
How come birds can land on power lines without being electrocuted?
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.
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 do birds get electrocuted on power lines?
Usually they don't.
Why do birds sitting on a power line not get electrocuted?
Because they are not touching the ground.
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.
Do ducks commonly sit on power lines?
I have seen many types of birds sitting on power lines, but never a duck. That would be an outstanding balancing act considering they have webbed feet!
How come birds can land on power lines without being electrocuted?
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.
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.
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 birds sitting on a single power line don't get shocked but if they placed one foot on each of two lines the current would flow between their feet and they would receive a terrible shock?
Yes, if one power line has a sufficient voltage difference to the first power line, the bird can be electrocuted. Normally, a bird has both foot one wire only, which cannot complete an electical circuit. In that case no electricity can flow through the bird. It often happens that a large bird such as an eagle or condor have wingspans of eight feet or more, and can touch two different power lines at the same time. Many birds have been found dead from this form of electrocution. For this reason, many newer power lines have greater spacing than the eight to ten foot wingspan of large birds.
Why does some power lines have red plastic balls attached to them?
That is to warn birds so that large flock of birds do not fly into the power lines. Also helicopters.
Can birds touch one another when there on power lines?
The answer is yes they can touch one another when there on power lines
