Electrocuted without step potential?

[ron]

Supposedly, this dog was electrocuted while walking on concrete, by an abandoned street lighting circuit. How could there be sufficient step potential on the concrete for the dog to "cook"?
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=3914282
"This case is particularly disturbing because there were no manholes, there were no metal grates -- just salt and the sidewalk."

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Electrocuted without step potential?

Ron, I share your skeptism. Which doesn't mean squat.

Some pet experts say owners should be able to dress their pets in a more protective way. Rubber boots, for example, are good protection against electric shock -- if your pet can actually walk in them.

I realize the vein in which this statement was offered, but it's still ridiculous.

Maybe somebody ought to fix the electrical problems. Ya think?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Electrocuted without step potential?

How could there be sufficient step potential on the concrete for the dog to "cook"?

Assuming that one of the dogs paws was on the concrete directly above the energized wire, there could easily be enough voltage drop in the concrete between the paws. About 70% of the voltage will be dropped in the first 12" of the earth. The drop in the space between front and rear paws would be enough to kill under the right conditions.
Don