The sight of flocks of birds perched comfortably on high-voltage energy strains, seemingly oblivious to the deadly electrical energy pulsing by way of the wires beneath their toes, is so widespread that we hardly discover it.
It nearly seems magical to the untrained eye. In any case, since we have been younger youngsters, we’ve got been warned concerning the dangers related to electrical energy. When birds land on energy strains, why don’t they expertise the identical final result?
The reply is discovered within the intriguing interplay between physics and biology. Let’s break down precisely what’s occurring when a chook lands on a high-voltage wire.
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Distinction in electrical potential
Why birds don’t get shocked is determined by a fundamental idea in electrical energy, which is, present solely flows by way of a wire when there’s a distinction in electrical potential or voltage.
When a chook sits on an influence line, each its toes make contact with the wire on the similar electrical potential, which is on the similar voltage degree. There is no such thing as a vital voltage distinction between the factors of contact with the chook, so little electrical present will move by way of the chook. Birds don’t get electrocuted on energy strains as a result of they don’t full {an electrical} circuit — they’re not offering a path for electrical energy to circulate from excessive voltage to low voltage. Their small dimension, the quick distance between their toes, and their isolation from the bottom all work collectively to maintain them protected.
If a chook touches each an influence line and one thing grounded (like a utility pole, man wire, or transformer), it creates the identical harmful state of affairs people face. (Supply: Freepik)
Why people get electrocuted in a different way
As people, we face electrocution dangers as contact with electrical sources is normally accompanied by grounding, thereby establishing a path between {the electrical} supply and the bottom. This implies individuals may be touched by a high-voltage wire, move the electrical energy by way of their our bodies, and discharge it into the bottom, which maintains the zero electrical potential. This excessive magnitude of potential distinction constitutes a considerable amount of present circulate by way of the human physique, making it deadly.
When birds do get electrocuted
Sadly, birds can typically get electrocuted. This occurs attributable to a number of of the next causes:
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Touching a number of wires: If a big chook like an eagle or crane spreads its wings huge sufficient to concurrently contact two completely different energy strains carrying completely different voltages, it creates a path for present to circulate between the wires by way of the chook’s physique. This may be deadly.
Touching wire and floor: If a chook touches each an influence line and one thing grounded (like a utility pole, man wire, or transformer), it creates the identical harmful state of affairs people face.
Wire-to-wire contact: Birds may be electrocuted in the event that they bridge the hole between an influence line and a grounded piece of apparatus, or between two strains with completely different phases of electrical energy.
