Re: SHOCKING!

[<koryta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The birds on the power line have no contact with earth ground. They are
putting both feet on the same line. If they had long enough legs to
span from one line to another or from one line to earth they would be
popping all over the place. Theorectically there is a very, very small
difference in voltage between their feet (ohms law) but it is very
small. On extremely high voltage lines and systems the servicemen
sometimes are actually allowed to come into contact with the system
so they are at the same potential as the wire..just like the bird. But
this requires some very good to excellent insulation between the
lineman and earth ground. BTW, one of the good stories the former
superintendent of utilities here use to tell was watching a huge owl
flying through some high voltage power lines. He/she did fine until
extension of full wingspan occured at which time contact was made to
two of the lines. Then Poooofff! Smoke and no more owl. 

Jim