billeisele 130 #26 August 22, 2008 QuoteQuotethere is no way the power company would allow them near the plane without deenergizing all the lines Those lines have a relay that auto closes within a few cycles of a sensed fault just incase its just a bird frying and then stays off locked out until the fault is investigated. Generally this is correct but our breakers are relayed to reclose 2X on a fault before locking out. I've seen some strange things with electricity and will never trust the breaker to lock out and open the circuit. Our lineman always verify that the circuit is deenergized and then will install grounding cables before working the line. If a skydiver lands in a typical distribution circuit wire and is touching the ground it is highly likely that there will not be sufficient fault current to open the breaker or blow the fuse. That is until something changes, like someone walking up to help and touch the gear, or the canopy and lines becoming more conductive.Give one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #27 August 22, 2008 Quote If a skydiver lands in a typical distribution circuit wire and is touching the ground it is highly likely that there will not be sufficient fault current to open the breaker or blow the fuse. That is until something changes, like someone walking up to help and touch the gear, or the canopy and lines becoming more conductive. Can you elaborate on that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdrejhon 8 #28 August 23, 2008 QuoteCan you elaborate on that?Probably water -- i.e. rain. Especially if there's plenty of dry minterals (salt, etc) in the fabric that helps water be more conductive, when it becomes wet... Then there's a ground path from the powerlines to the ground. One can hang from a live powerline and not get shocked, but as soon as there's a path from the ground to the powerline through your body -- zap! Or the canopy lines/fabric short-circuiting across two power lines, when getting wet... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billeisele 130 #29 August 23, 2008 QuoteQuoteCan you elaborate on that?Probably water -- i.e. rain. Especially if there's plenty of dry minterals (salt, etc) in the fabric that helps water be more conductive, when it becomes wet... Then there's a ground path from the powerlines to the ground. One can hang from a live powerline and not get shocked, but as soon as there's a path from the ground to the powerline through your body -- zap! Or the canopy lines/fabric short-circuiting across two power lines, when getting wet... Across 2 lines usually is not a problem unless you are between those 2 lines. For clarity, if you land in the lines and your canopy drapes across 2 or more lines, and you are below the lines, and then something changes to increase conductivity - let's assume it begins to rain - the wet canopy provides the path for the electricity. In this case the shortest distance with the least resistance for the electricity to flow is between the power lines. There will be a nice electric arc and noise, hopefully the line fuse or breaker will operate and deenergize the line. The canopy will have vaporized. The other stuff is correct. If someone walks up and shortens the path or provides a more conductive path to ground by touching the person or gear then that could be bad. The fabric harness, jumpsuit and shoes provide some level of insulation, it may be enough to prevent electricity from flowing. If you are standing on the ground my recommendation is to not do anything, call the power company and have the line deenergized. Most folks won't follow that advice so if you had to do something, an option might be to pull the cut away handle and literally fall backwards away from the risers. I would defintiely not let anyone near me, move my feet, kneel down, touch the risers, or touch anything metal.Give one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #30 August 23, 2008 This is one of my favorite stories, told by Bill Booth in the History and Trivia forum - http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=282115;search_string=Re%3A%5Bsteve1%5D;#282115 "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
