Fatal Risk: Standing on Insulator & Touching 2MV Iron Wire

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential risks of standing on an insulator while touching a high-voltage iron wire supplying 2 million volts. Participants explore the implications of electrical circuits, insulation, and electrostatics in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between voltage, current, and circuit completion, questioning whether standing on an insulator would prevent electric shock. Some raise concerns about the effects of high voltage on air and the possibility of corona discharge.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering varying perspectives on the risks involved. There is an exploration of the conditions under which a shock might occur, and some guidance is provided regarding the behavior of high voltage in relation to insulation and air ionization.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the effects of high voltage without an earth wire and the role of resistance in the scenario. There is a focus on the assumptions related to circuit completion and the nature of electrostatic discharge.

primarygun
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Will I get a shock if I stand on an insulator and touched a iron which supplies a voltage of 2000000V and without Earth wire?
 
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depends on your resistance and the insulator's resistance.
It all depends... i think
 
2 MILLION volts? That insulator won't do much good, since you can discharge by ionizing the surrounding air (corona discharge).
 
So a complete circuit is formed and I would probably die?
My thought: No complete circuit, no current, I won't be affected. For the electrostatics, it is irrevalent. Am I correct?
 
primarygun said:
So a complete circuit is formed and I would probably die?
My thought: No complete circuit, no current, I won't be affected. For the electrostatics, it is irrevalent. Am I correct?

With that you'll break down the dielectric of the air around you, like Galileo said. You'll discharge into the atmosphere (the circuit is complete as far as you are concerned).
 

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