- #1
bricevan
- 1
- 0
I have a physics question that I'm hoping someone has enough free time and is intrigued enough to figure out for me!
My sister just bought a house which is near some high voltage power lines. I've heard that people living near these types of lines can sometimes induce a current in wires running through their attic or coils of wire they leave outside.
I want to know how close you would have to be to these lines to power something useful, e.g. compact florescent light bulbs (~10 watts). I have no idea what voltage the lines are running at, but after some quick research, I think assuming somewhere around 33kV - 110kV might be reasonable.
I know the inverse-square law probably applies here which makes me think that you'd have to be nearly right on top of the lines to do anything useful, but I wanted to ask anyway as I think it's a fun question. Is this calculation possible or would it just be easier to try it out experimentally with some wire and a multimeter?
My sister just bought a house which is near some high voltage power lines. I've heard that people living near these types of lines can sometimes induce a current in wires running through their attic or coils of wire they leave outside.
I want to know how close you would have to be to these lines to power something useful, e.g. compact florescent light bulbs (~10 watts). I have no idea what voltage the lines are running at, but after some quick research, I think assuming somewhere around 33kV - 110kV might be reasonable.
I know the inverse-square law probably applies here which makes me think that you'd have to be nearly right on top of the lines to do anything useful, but I wanted to ask anyway as I think it's a fun question. Is this calculation possible or would it just be easier to try it out experimentally with some wire and a multimeter?