How Can Birds Sit Safely on Power Lines?

 

Why Can Birds Sit Safely on Power Lines?

You must have seen the birds sitting on Electric wires and then you must have wondered how these birds are sitting so comfortably on Electric wires and question arises that why they don't feel the Electric shock? 

Because when we accidentally touch the open wire we get a shock . Usually overhead transmission lines are not insulated when bird's should feel electrical shock. But they don't ! It's not because the birds have some sort of superpower.

 To know the reason,we have to overlook some of the concepts of electricity .

(1) Electricity always flows through a path of least resistance :

The power lines through which the Electric current flows ,are usually made up of aluminium.

 Aluminium offers least resistance and it is good Conductor of electricity . Hence, electricity ignores the birds ( as they having higher Resistance than aluminium ) and flows through the power lines and birds don't get shocked .

(2) Electricity flows higher potential to lower potential :

The power lines run at different potentials. If birds sitted on the Same power line ,then they are at same potential . So, birds don't get shocked. 

However, when bird touches ,two cables with different potentials at same time then the electricity flows through bird to go other to other cable with lower potential and bird get shocked.

(3) Electricity flows only when there is closed loop/ path :

Typically larger raptors like eagles, hawks, owls ,etc.

 This birds will perch on an electrical pole/ tower ,then stretch out a wiring brush against a power line.That completes the circuit between the power line and the pole / tower which leads to ground .

 

Now, the another question arises ...

           Will man gets shocked when he touches the power lines ?

Answer is NO . Because man having no contact with ground or other phase wires or neutral wires touches power lines 

Hence, electricity ignores the man ( as he having higher Resistance than aluminium ) and flows through the power lines.

But If man having contact with ground or neutral or another phase touches the power line that completes the circuit between the power line and the pole / tower  which

 leads to ground . Hence, he will feel high voltage shock and this even cause death . It's dangerous !

Hope this helps you. Thank you ❤️