How can there be an arc from power line to lineman on ungrounded helicopter

Subject: How can there be an arc from power line to lineman on ungrounded helicopter

Date: Thu Feb 8 04:19:39 2007
Posted by Aaron
Grade level: undergrad School: University of Nebraska at Lincoln
City: Lincoln State/Province: NE Country: U.S.A.
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1170933579.Ph

Message:


How can there be an arc drawn from a high voltage power line by a lineman 
holding a "wand" who is sitting on a platform from a helicopter hovering near 
the energized line when neither the lineman or helicopter is grounded or 
touching another phase wire thus completing a circuit? There is no complete 
path for the electrons to go so how is the lineman able to draw an arc?

Re: How can there be an arc from power line to lineman on ungrounded helicopter

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