Rcd tripping

[Kev2632]

Should the rcd trip everytime if somebody had softly touched the live core of a cable? Or does it depend on wha current is flowing?

 

[Kev2632]

Watch this
Lineman at work - YouTube

or this
Helicopter Transfering Lineman to Wire - YouTube

or this

Bare handing 115,000 volts - YouTube

so basically then yea, because he was standing on the concrete floor, the current was trying to get to earth but it cant because concrete doesnt conduct, where as working on HV lines the current wont look to go anywhere because you have contact with the ground is at right????

 

[brooky25]

Current will always find shortest path to earth ie through you if you are in contact with it, unless you got your marigolds on

 

[Kev2632]

Current will always find shortest path to earth ie through you if you are in contact with it, unless you got your marigolds on

so that i understand, but i mean like when the person was standing on the concrete floor where does it go because the concrete doesnt conduct ? does it just stop?

 

[Kev2632]

or does it just spread out over the concrete and try find a way back to earth?

 

[Kev2632]

anybody know the answer?

 

[HandySparks]

I can't take it any more. Here goes...

The effect you get from touching a live part depends on the current that passes through your body (and the path it takes through your body), which depends on the voltage present and the total resistance of the "fault" circuit. The resistance varies hugely depending on how dry your skin is, how much of your skin area is in contact with the live part, and how you are connected to earth.

If you stand on dry concrete in your dry boots and touch a 230V line conductor, a small amount of current will pass through your body, boots and concrete, to earth. Not enough to kill you and maybe not enough to trip an RCD, but you'll probably feel a tingle.

If you take your boots off and stand in bare feet on wet concrete, or even better in a muddy puddle, the current through your body will be greater. Certainly enough to make you jump. Maybe enough to trip an RCD. Maybe enough to kill you (if the RCD wasn't there).