Cyclist Quote

[WoodrowJWeen]

Found the following quote on a cycling forum and wondered what you guys thought about it. Not sure if vehicles means cars or bicycles. Not even sure if he really means transmission poles or just your average medium voltage distribution pole line.

"I'm an electrical engineer in Australia, and often get caught in remote locations with overhead powerlines during lightning events.
When we have no other options for shelter, we park our vehicles underneath the powerlines exactly between two transmission poles, on the basis that the overhead wiring will conduct the strikes to ground via the poles. This may come in handy for any roadies caught out in the middle of nowhere."

 

[jghrist]

I think it is sound advise, with either distribution or transmission lines. The overhead lines will shield the ground beneath, but there may be high step voltages near the poles if lightning strikes the line and it discharges through the pole ground.

Of course a well grounded shelter will not only shield you from lightning, but also from rain.

 

[IRstuff]

Seems a bit dubious to me. If a strike hits one of the poles and cuts the lines, then the live wires might wind up falling directly onto your car, and then what would you do?



TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[davidbeach]

You just sit there. As long as nothing catches fire (whether the tires ignite is partially a function of voltage) you are perfectly safe in the car. If you have to get out, dive out is such a manner that you never have contact with both the car and the ground. In either case, if possible call and report the downed wire location.

 

[Compositepro]

I don't believe it is possible for lightning to cut a transmission line. I've seen lighting strike testing, and aluminum aircraft skins are barely marked by lightning strikes. Aircraft are frequently hit without problems.

 

[VTer]

If you were in the car, why would you want to go and park under the power lines anyway?

"Throughout space there is energy. Is this energy static or kinetic! If static our hopes are in vain; if kinetic — and this we know it is, for certain — then it is a mere question of time when men will succeed in attaching their machinery to the very wheelwork of nature". – Nikola Tesla

 

[itsmoked]

Being in a car in lightning is like being in a swimming pool in rain - It makes no difference.

This question has to be about being caught out while cycling.

Being caught way out in the flats, it would be best to lay down prone far from your bike - perhaps 100ft.

I suspect the real issue is not getting mucky and so avoiding laying down by instead "hiding" under power lines.

I agree I've never heard of cut lines by lightning. But has a power pole ever been splintered by a stroke? If so the splinters or the dropped lines would probably be fatal.

Trees often explode violently from internal steam over-pressure, but they usually aren't water logged.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[cuky2000]

Parking under power line will increase the chance to be hit by flashover from linght

 

[cuky2000]

Parking under power line will increase the chance to be hit by flashover from lightning traveling in the conductor.

The best option during lightning storm is remain in the vehicle without touching metal with the windows closed to form a Faraday cage.
If a person is forced to be out, stay away from trees, power lines and tall structures with the feeds closed together and without touching anything to minimize the chance of large step and touch potentials.

Although there is significant number of casualty by lightning, the good news is mostpeopple stricken by lightning survive.