Take the 2-minute tour ×  You know how birds perch on powerlines
without getting electrocuted? What if by some chance that I find
myself falling and I grab on one of them? Let's say both of my
hands are on the same line, would i get electrocuted?  I am
thinking I won't because the current won't rush through me and I
won't be part of the circuit - me - powerline.  How does the
ground play a role in this? I've heard people say that the
ground creates a potential difference, but how? There is only
voltage across the powerlines, the pole connecting to the ground
is wood, an insulator?   share|improve this question add comment
2 Answers  up vote 4 down vote accepted   The voltage difference
is between the lines (e.g. in a 3-phase system) and between the
line and ground. This voltage difference exists across the
insulators and pole, as well as through the air to ground. These
voltage differences are obviously small enough to avoid striking
an arc, hence no current flows between the lines or between line
and ground