The problem is “path of least resistance” implies that there is only one path, which laymen tend to take literally. I go for bike rides along a canal which also has high voltage power lines running above it. If I hold my handlebars just right, with my hands just barely touching the metal of my brake levers, the (I assume) corona discharge gets rather painful. “Path of least resistance” seems like it should be confined to the wire, but in fact includes ~100 feet of air between wire and ground… And me.
The problem is “path of least resistance” implies that there is only one path, which laymen tend to take literally. I go for bike rides along a canal which also has high voltage power lines running above it. If I hold my handlebars just right, with my hands just barely touching the metal of my brake levers, the (I assume) corona discharge gets rather painful. “Path of least resistance” seems like it should be confined to the wire, but in fact includes ~100 feet of air between wire and ground… And me.
… Wow. That’s… Wow. An extreme warning sign for me in my work.