You will NEVER see a bird land on an energized transmission line 69KV or greater

[Landon Caeli]

My friends and I have always wondered why this is... Why we've never seen a bird accidentally get even close to one, and now I think I may know why... Because they can actually "see" the magnetic field that surrounds the wires, and they're afraid of it.

We Finally Know How Birds Can See Earth's Magnetic Field

 

[pescador]

My coworkers and I have always wondered why this is... Why we've never seen a bird accidentally get even close to one, and now I think I may know why... Because they can actually "see" the magnetic field that surrounds the wires, and they're afraid of it.

We Finally Know How Birds Can See Earth's Magnetic Field

The article mentions nothing about any transmission lines.

 

[Landon Caeli]

The article mentions nothing about any transmission lines.

Because the article is not the main topic of this thread. It's only supporting, side-evidence.

 

[pescador]

Because the article is not the main topic of this thread. It's only supporting, side-evidence.

How is it "only supporting, side-evidence"? You're talking about an "energized transmission line" > 69KV, yet there is no mention of it in the article (or anywhere else).

 

[BeyondET]

birds can land on high power lines they are not touching the ground, as long as the bird doesn't touch another wire the electricity will stay in the wire.

 

[public hermit]

My friends and I have always wondered why this is... Why we've never seen a bird accidentally get even close to one, and now I think I may know why... Because they can actually "see" the magnetic field that surrounds the wires, and they're afraid of it.

We Finally Know How Birds Can See Earth's Magnetic Field

Interesting. I thought the arc of the high powered lines would kill even a non-grounded bird. When they work on those lines from a helicopter, they use a rod to help them become part of the current. I don't know enough about it, but I know they can't just reach out and grab it, despite not being grounded.

So, you're saying birds can see the energy, I guess, going through the lines and stay clear on that account?

 

[BeyondET]

wire stringing. maintenance crazy job for sure.

 

[public hermit]

Interesting. I thought the arc of the high powered lines would kill even a non-grounded bird. When they work on those lines from a helicopter, they use a rod to help them become part of the current. I don't know enough about it, but I know they can't just reach out and grab it, despite not being grounded.

So, you're saying birds can see the energy, I guess, going through the lines and stay clear on that account?

This is what I was talking about. This is so cool.

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

Yes its the difference in voltage between two points of contact, not the voltage in and of itself that causes the problem. Along those 14,400 V power lines, the voltage between the feet of a bird is solved by ohms law, where V = I*R. Those wires are large diameter to avoid very much resistance, usually measured in microohms or milliohms, so despite running amps of current, the bird's two feet sit on nearly the exact same potential voltage, like the guy in the photo above, but if the bird crosses two wires with its wings, the phase difference between the power lines will not only kill but likely explode the bird in a ball of fire, because with that phasing the voltage can get to 14,400 V or more. Never mess around with such because you can inadvertantly ground yourself and then all that current, like the bird, will travel through you and do like the bird and electrocute you. Stay with DC power like 1.5V batteries.

 

[public hermit]

wire stringing. maintenance crazy job for sure.

Lol, great minds think alike. We thought alike, so we're great!

(Actually, that's a fallacy: affirming the consequent)

 

[BeyondET]

Interesting. I thought the arc of the high powered lines would kill even a non-grounded bird. When they work on those lines from a helicopter, they use a rod to help them become part of the current. I don't know enough about it, but I know they can't just reach out and grab it, despite not being grounded.

So, you're saying birds can see the energy, I guess, going through the lines and stay clear on that account?

i think the clip has to do with the helicopter alternator generating power, positive and negative. i'm not a electrician but know enough its not friendly to touch lol.

 

[BeyondET]

Lol, great minds think alike. We thought alike, so we're great!

(Actually, that's a fallacy: affirming the consequent)

its a fallacy affirming,, not sure what you mean?

 

[public hermit]

its a fallacy affirming,, not sure what you mean?

Sorry, it's not related. I meant my statement about us being great because we thought alike is a fallacy. Ignore me, lol.

 

[BeyondET]

Yes its the difference in voltage between two points of contact, not the voltage in and of itself that causes the problem. Along those 14,400 V power lines, the voltage between the feet of a bird is solved by ohms law, where V = I*R. Those wires are large diameter to avoid very much resistance, usually measured in microohms or milliohms, so despite running amps of current, the bird's two feet sit on nearly the exact same potential voltage, like the guy in the photo above, but if the bird crosses two wires with its wings, the phase difference between the power lines will not only kill but likely explode the bird in a ball of fire, because with that phasing the voltage can get to 14,400 V or more. Never mess around with such because you can inadvertantly ground yourself and then all that current, like the bird, will travel through you and do like the bird and electrocute you. Stay with DC power like 1.5V batteries.

is the clip because of the generator on the helo? im curious about that one

 

[BeyondET]

Sorry, it's not related. I meant my statement about us being great because we thought alike is a fallacy. Ignore me, lol.

i'm slow sometimes i got it now lol

 

[prodromos]

My friends and I have always wondered why this is... Why we've never seen a bird accidentally get even close to one, and now I think I may know why... Because they can actually "see" the magnetic field that surrounds the wires, and they're afraid of it.

We Finally Know How Birds Can See Earth's Magnetic Field

Magnetic flux is proportional to the current flowing in the cables, so there will actually be a much weaker magnetic field around KV transmission cables than the local domestic supply cables. The whole reason the voltage is so high on the transmission cables is so the current will be the minimum possible for the same amount of power (P=VI). Power loss due to the resistance of the cables is (I-squared x R) so they keep the current low by making the voltage extremely high.

I think birds avoid the cables because they are sensitive to the arcs they would experience just prior to making contact with the cables.

 

[Landon Caeli]

This is what I was talking about. This is so cool.

Funny you mention that, that's actually what I do for a living.

I do spacer-buggies and helicopters.

 

[SelfSim]

My friends and I have always wondered why this is... Why we've never seen a bird accidentally get even close to one, and now I think I may know why... Because they can actually "see" the magnetic field that surrounds the wires, and they're afraid of it.

We Finally Know How Birds Can See Earth's Magnetic Field

Hmm .. credible .. although not all birds migrate (ie: fly great distances)? Also, birds make mistakes .. like flying into wind turbines!

 

[Landon Caeli]

I think birds avoid the cables because they are sensitive to the arcs they would experience just prior to making contact with the cables.

...That's what I used to think, until I realized birds shouldn't be able to tell the difference between distribution and transmission voltages. And we see them on distribution lines all the time.

They know somehow...

 

[Landon Caeli]

wire stringing. maintenance crazy job for sure.

That's called "barehanding". It requires a special certification, and you have to wear a full-body metal mesh suit to do it.