Electric Shocks!?

[SimonRoberts0204]

So after a few rides on the 10 mile circuit I measured out, I realised that the weird electric shock feeling that i got right on my saddle contact point (ouch!) occured at exactly the same place each ride :

Right when I cycle under the only power line on the circuit!

Is this a known phenomenom?

,Simon

 

[Theseus]

Don't know if it has been studied, but I have to pass under a line to/from work. My totally unscientific study has told me that I am more likely to get a shock on a damp day. Fortunately, compared to you, I get it on the hand. But only if I am touching metal like the handlebar or brake levers. The Pavlovian response this has generated means that I tend to correct my hand position before reaching this point on the journey so that I am firmly gripping the rubber. It does make braking harder though.

 

[threefingerjoe]

I don't know the voltage of the lines that you're passing under, but, in our (power company's) 345 KV substation yards, and sometimes in our 138 KV yards, you can experience this. However, working in the yard, in bucket trucks, or, on top of transformers, brings us much closer to the lines than anyone on a bike should be. What happens, is, there is an electrical field around the lines. If you're within range, YOU get charged up. Then, you discharge when you touch something that is grounded. It's kinda like a static discharge that you get in your house when you shuffle your feet across the carpet, and then touch something...except that it's stronger, and doesn't stop. If you could stay there, you would keep on feeling this shock 60 times per second. In our high voltage yards, I can see this by holding a spanner in my hand, and holding the other end of the spanner near a grounded object. A spark will continuously jump from the spanner to the grounded object.

I'm surprised that you are actually getting close enough to the lines for this to happen, though. The height of the lines above the roadway should be sufficient to keep you beyond the range of this phenomenon.

 

[ELL]

I have the same when I am out I always get it in the hands if i am near the metal of the bars but if I am not it shoots into my bum from the seat.

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

Thanks guys - confirmation that I am not crazy, it does actually happen!

 

[RedBike]

There must be some kinda a 'field' around power lines. On damp days not only can you almost feel them the heart-rate monitor and wireless computer used to always show zero. Never got any form of shock though.

 

[Lisa21]

Iv never had a shock from going under a power line but on a wet day I can "feel" a difference in the air directly around it???

Did get told off once in Tescos tho,for saying "sh*t!!!!!!!!!!!" rather loudly when I got a shock off the damn trolley Woman said I shouldnt swear infront of her son..........I said "Iv just been electrocuted by my bl**dy shopping,do you mind"

Got a lovely new white jacket. The arms tying round the back are a bit of an inconvenience tho..................................................................

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

Haha yeah, I always get them stepping out of the car!

 

[Helly79]

Haha yeah, I always get them stepping out of the car!

me to but my hubby always say it cause i were nylon underwear lol

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

.......

 

[Bman]

Its proven to happen in cars, static builds up through things like wind resistance etc. As the car is insulated from the ground by the tyres, when you get out, you make the link to the ground.
I’ve never had a static shock from my bike, but I suppose it’s possible.

I also cant think why the OP seems to feel the shock when under the power lines. Maybe the power lines add just enough extra static, to allow the static to jump.

Or maybe that part of the track is where he/she sits down!

 

[Globalti]

The worst static shocks I've had off a car was in Aviemore one snowy day when the temperature was minus 24 C. I waded through deep, dry powder snow and touched the car to receive a real belt. The atmosphere must have been bone dry from the cold.

 

[biking_fox]

Never ever experienced a shock whilst biking.

I would suggest the OP conduct a bit of a study. Rather than remembering where they get shocked, carry a notebook and write it down the instant it happens, stopping to check landmarks and get it as precise as possible. Do this several times over a few weeks also noting the weather.

I'll be very very surprised if it has anything to do with the power lines, for a start with rubber tires you are insulated from the ground and shouldn't possible to shock at all. Humans are very very good at retrospectively assigning causes to random events though.

Possibly you've got something rubbing on your bike? one of the brakes or a loose cable or something. Friction is a very good way of building up static charge.

 

[Amanda P]

The explanation I've been given for electric shocks from cars is the other way around: you get charged up from friction with nylon seats etc. (It's usually pretty dry inside a car, with heating, aircon etc). The car itself stays at zero voltage, because in fact the tyres contain carbon (makes them black) and conduct quite well at high voltage.

When you get out and touch the metal handle, you earth yourself via the car, hence the spark and the "ow!".

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

I must confess, I really should know the answer myself - I am a student of Physics at University! I cant seem to find a reason, given that I am on rubber tyres, and at any rate, the breakdown voltage of air at 1atm is about 10,000 volts per metre!

Plus, if it really were the powelines earthing through me, it would be a little more than a slight shock!