This thread makes me grumpy. As before, I get the whole "stay away" and the high risk aspect.

And I never said anything about manipulating or touching the lines.

So far, about the only useful thing I've seen in this thread is Eric's comments about voltage differential, and "the shuffle" (although it would be interesting if someone could post some insight into at what point the path between leg#1 and leg#2 becomes a more desirable path than the ground, etc.)

My original inquiry was about detecting if lines were live or not, not because I was going to run out and attempt to stick my tongue on them to show how wily I am, but rather because I've seen first hand when you mix trees and wind and urban areas, that you can find yourself in a maze of downed lines and you never know what is going to happen that might cause you to need to leave the area.

Clearly the best option is to avoid or wait. But, as Dweste points out a couple of posts above, it seems like a reasonable topic of discussion.

I cannot believe it is not possible to detect the voltages remotely or semi-remotely. I'm sure linesmen must do this, I can't imagine they don't double check before they approach a line. So what and how do they use? [Yes, I get that they could be re-energized w/o warning.]

Information about the types and methods of lines and how to identify them would be useful. I really doubt the lines on a residential street are 115KV for example.

Basically, can we stow the condescending attitude and share some information and logical discussion?

If I ever turn up dead, killed by a power line, I promise I won't hold you accountable. At least for any information you *did* provide. :-)

-john