The snow and ice from Wednesday's snow storm caused multiple accidents, and though no one was seriously injured, one driver severed a utility pole, causing a wire to fall across his car.
Though the wire was apparent not conducting electricity, electrical experts offer the following truth behind common myths to stay safe in similar situations, and learn more about the accidents in the Thursday, Dec. 27, News-Banner.
1. Tires are electrical insulators
Tires are electrical conductors, not insulators. It is true that you are safe in your vehicle when a live wire falls on it. But that's because electricity always seeks the easiest path to the ground. If you remain in the vehicle, the path of the electricity will be on the outside of the vehicle, through the tires, and into the ground. As long as we do not provide a path to the ground through our body the electricity will not enter it. So when an electrical wire falls on your vehicle, stay in your vehicle until help arrives and the power is shut off by the utility company. If you have to get out of your car because of a life-threatening situation, jump out with both feet together, making sure that you are not touching any part of the vehicle when your feet hit the ground and hop or shuffle at least 30 feet away.
2. Power lines are insulated
Ninety percent of outside power lines are not insulated. There may be a weather coating over the wire that provides no insulation or protection from electric shock. Further, the lines that are insulated are exposed to the rigors of weather, so you never know what condition the insulation is in. No line is safe to touch or approach too closely, ever.
3. Only high voltage is dangerous
Voltage is the pressure that pushes electricity along, like water though a hose. Amperage (amp), the amount of electricity in any given spot, is what will hurt or kill you. It takes less than one quarter of one amp to put a heart into ventricular fibrillation (irregular beating). Most residents have at least 100-amp service coming into their houses. Many residents have 200-amp service.
Voltage is the pressure that pushes electricity along, like water though a hose. Amperage (amp), the amount of electricity in any given spot, is what will hurt or kill you. It takes less than one quarter of one amp to put a heart into ventricular fibrillation (irregular beating). Most residents have at least 100-amp service coming into their houses. Many residents have 200-amp service.
4. When a wire falls to the ground, it automatically shuts off
Always treat a downed wire as energized until the utility company has shut it off and stated it is safe! Keep at least 300 feet away (two full pole spans) for downed wires.
Always treat a downed wire as energized until the utility company has shut it off and stated it is safe! Keep at least 300 feet away (two full pole spans) for downed wires.
5. When a live wire falls, it makes sparks
A power line sparks if it falls to the ground and does not make firm contact with the ground or other material. When a wire falls to the ground and makes firm contact, it will often make no noise or sparks, and will give the impression of being de-energized. Always treat a downed wire as energized until the utility company has shut it off and stated it is safe! Keep at least 300 feet away (two full pole spans) from downed wires.
6. Wood is an insulator
Wood is in fact a conductor, though not a good one. The molecules in wood are far apart, so it becomes difficult for electricity to jump from molecule to molecule. But the higher the voltage, the easier it is for electricity to move through wood. And if the wood is damp, it changes the equation and wood becomes a good conductor, even at low voltage. So be careful standing on a wooden crate to turn on your main fuse box or when you use a wooden ladder.
7. Household rubber gloves or rubber-soled shoes insulate
Only 100% pure rubber insulates against electricity. Household gloves and shoes are not made of pure rubber. Often, to make these shoes more marketable and durable, additives are mixed in with the rubber-like material. And that makes these gloves and shoes conductors.
Source: PSE&G
A power line sparks if it falls to the ground and does not make firm contact with the ground or other material. When a wire falls to the ground and makes firm contact, it will often make no noise or sparks, and will give the impression of being de-energized. Always treat a downed wire as energized until the utility company has shut it off and stated it is safe! Keep at least 300 feet away (two full pole spans) from downed wires.
6. Wood is an insulator
Wood is in fact a conductor, though not a good one. The molecules in wood are far apart, so it becomes difficult for electricity to jump from molecule to molecule. But the higher the voltage, the easier it is for electricity to move through wood. And if the wood is damp, it changes the equation and wood becomes a good conductor, even at low voltage. So be careful standing on a wooden crate to turn on your main fuse box or when you use a wooden ladder.
7. Household rubber gloves or rubber-soled shoes insulate
Only 100% pure rubber insulates against electricity. Household gloves and shoes are not made of pure rubber. Often, to make these shoes more marketable and durable, additives are mixed in with the rubber-like material. And that makes these gloves and shoes conductors.
Source: PSE&G
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