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How does a downed power line in a flood cause someone who walks in the flood to, G-d forbid, get electrified? (If the person did not come into contact with the power line.) Electricity travels through water? If so, how far? (Obviously a live power line in the Ocean will not electrify the entire Atlantic.)
Please don’t experiment with it to make a determination.
Water,even when clean does have some conductive ability. The dirtier the water the better it can conduct electricity.
Floodwaters can be quite dirty, even if not visibly so.
Also, downed lines can be carrying thousands of volts, much more than what is needed to shock you.
Josh, dirty water is a better conductor?
Salt water carries electricity, no?
The cables under the ocean are insulated.
As are overhead wires. Why do you think birds and squirrels can run along them.
When they are downed, somewhere along the way the wiring is exposed.
Whiteberry: The OP was referring to overhead wires downed. Actually, overhead wires which carry a strong voltage, current goes through even regular insulation. That’s why the’re always kept apart, the stronger the current the further the wires must be kept apart from arcing. I don’t think there are power cables under the ocean, only data signal, which carry less current. Why birds and squirrels don’t get electrocuted, is because they don’t complete the circuit, they’re not in contact with ground, or grounding circuit.
I can’t say that the dirtier the water the better conductor it becomes, but clean water is not as good a conductor as water that is a sodium solution.
The higher the voltage the more resistance it can travel through. However, if the water is conducting very well then the electricity won’t travel very far, since it will take the shortest route to the ground.
Being in contact with water that has submerged cables isn’t the issue. In order to get electrocuted someone needs to complete a circuit between a live wire and ground. the problem with water is that it makes a very good ground connection and whenever there is downed wires there is a greater risk of contact.
Unless you: 1) are an electrician or a plumber; 2) anxious to find out how much your share in ???? ??? is — AVOID downed electrical wires
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