Skip Miller
Final Approach
Wow. I love the ending: "and I am married, too."
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3q9WdjD5wc&mode=related&search=
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3q9WdjD5wc&mode=related&search=
Wow. I love the ending: "and I am married, too."
-Skip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3q9WdjD5wc&mode=related&search=
The wire is alternating between + 500,000 volts and -500,000 volts 60 times a second. The helicopter is close to neutral voltage. When connected, the helicopter becomes like a capacitor, storing electrical energy first at + voltage, then at - voltage. The spark you see is the flow of current into and out of the helicopter to charge it/discharge it. It is a pretty big spark due to the voltages involved but pretty low amperage. Once they clamp the bonding strap on the wire, all that spark energy flows through the bonding strap.Any idea what causes the electricity to jump to the wand he holds, and why he does that?
The wire is alternating between + 500,000 volts and -500,000 volts 60 times a second. The helicopter is close to neutral voltage. When connected, the helicopter becomes like a capacitor, storing electrical energy first at + voltage, then at - voltage. The spark you see is the flow of current into and out of the helicopter to charge it/discharge it. It is a pretty big spark due to the voltages involved but pretty low amperage. Once they clamp the bonding strap on the wire, all that spark energy flows through the bonding strap.
Why did he do that? Probably at least partly for show. When the camera isn't there, I bet they just fly up and hit it with the wand, not hold the wand off to see the spark. But you do want a metal to metal contact prior to grabbing the cable or even getting your hand near it with the big clamp. That spark can jump a long way. So how much do you trust your faraday suit? LOL!
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Potentially. (pun not intended) But from the moment the helo moved away from the wire, its static charge would begin to dissipate through normal means. Do helos have static wicks? On a humid day the static charge would dissipate rather quickly.Interesting...I wonder, then, if it works like a capacitor, if it went and landed fairly quickly after leaving the wires, if someone touched the helicopter while it was coming down, if he'd get electrocuted.
Exactly right. I've talked to lineman who work from bucket trucks and when they touch a high tension line then grab it hard and quick to reach the same potential quickly. When approaching a line like this you really don't want to dilly dally around... Like you said, touching 500,000 volts is not for the faint of heart.Why did he do that? Probably at least partly for show. When the camera isn't there, I bet they just fly up and hit it with the wand, not hold the wand off to see the spark. But you do want a metal to metal contact prior to grabbing the cable or even getting your hand near it with the big clamp. That spark can jump a long way. So how much do you trust your faraday suit? LOL!
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Ok...I cannot figure out which one of those two has the bigger balls! WOW that is just amazing....
Are you guys afraid of heights or something?Yeah sure bigger than mine