Why do high-voltage power lines sizzle on rainy days?

Category: Industry News

Release time: 2022-03-03

Summary: What is that sizzling sound coming from high-voltage power lines? On rainy days, many people assume the sizzling noise from high-voltage lines is caused by electrical leakage. No, no, no! If the lines were leaking electricity every time it rained, wouldn't that be a disaster?! Actually, this sound is generated by the ionization of air near the power lines, resulting in corona discharge—a type of electrical noise. On rainy days, the air is more humid, which lowers its resistance compared to dry weather. As a result, the high-voltage lines discharge into the surrounding air, producing that sizzling sound. However, this discharge doesn't create an electric arc or sparks. So, if you hear a sizzling sound near high-voltage lines, don't doubt it—those are indeed discharges taking place. But this phenomenon usually occurs only when there are burrs or loose connections on some of the wires.

What is the sizzling sound coming from the high-voltage power lines?
 
The sizzling sound coming from high-voltage power lines on rainy days—many people assume it’s caused by electrical leakage from the lines. No, no, no! If the lines leaked every time it rained, that’d be a disaster!
 
In fact, this sound is noise generated by corona discharge—the ionization of air near power lines. On rainy days, the air is more humid, resulting in lower electrical resistance compared to dry weather. As a result, high-voltage lines can discharge into the surrounding air, producing a crackling sound. However, this discharge does not form an electric arc nor does it generate sparks.
 
So, when you hear a sizzling sound near high-voltage power lines, don't doubt it—this is just electrical discharge. However, this discharge occurs only at spots where wires have burrs or at the points where wires connect to utility poles; it doesn't actually break down the air and poses no danger to people or objects.
 
It’s not just on rainy days that there’s sound.
 
High-voltage power lines ionize the air, causing a discharge that produces a sizzling sound. This phenomenon doesn't occur only on rainy days. So, where does the sound come from? It's not that the power lines are talking—it’s actually like this:
Under normal circumstances, the alternating current flowing through high-voltage power lines generates an alternating magnetic field. Under the influence of this magnetic field, the wires vibrate and produce sound. The frequency of this sound is closely related to the frequency of the alternating current. On clear days, the sound tends to be quieter and is more easily masked by background noise from the surrounding environment. However, when it rains, as air humidity increases, the air resistance decreases, and corona discharge intensifies, causing the sound of the discharge to become louder.
 
Discharge? Am I in danger?
 
In theory, humid weather can degrade insulation, so the safe distance between people and high-voltage lines needs to be slightly greater than usual. However, there’s no need to worry—power companies already leave sufficient safety margins when installing power lines. Under normal circumstances, it’s perfectly safe for people to walk beneath overhead power lines.
Of course, Toutiao News advises everyone to avoid standing under high-voltage power lines for extended periods on rainy days.
 
Is it dangerous to answer the phone near high-voltage power lines?
 
We would like to state: Such concerns are completely unnecessary!
The state has clearly stipulated minimum clearance distances for the installation of high-voltage power lines, and these specified distances leave ample margin compared to the required safety distances. A mobile phone is only about the size of a palm; when a person holds a mobile phone, they’re actually closer to the power lines than if they were simply raising both hands. Therefore, it’s impossible for someone to get electrocuted simply by making a phone call.
 
As for the potency of electromagnetic waves from mobile phones, it’s hardly worth mentioning. Generally speaking, the higher the frequency of electromagnetic waves, the stronger their ionizing effect. However, the radio waves emitted by mobile phones are at such low frequencies that they simply cannot ionize the air at all.
So, making calls near high-voltage power lines won't increase your chances of getting electrocuted. If your phone does explode, it’s most likely due to a quality issue with the battery itself—high-voltage power lines are completely innocent in this case.

Keywords: Why do high-voltage power lines sizzle on rainy days?

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