Sparky's Life
Sparky's Life
EP 21 Lightning Safety Tips & Electrifying Discoveries
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Understanding lightning strikes is crucial for safety during storms. We discuss lightning's behaviour, electrical hazards, and ways to protect yourself, along with fascinating statistics and a dose of motivation.
• Discussing the nature and dangers of lightning strikes
• Importance of avoiding trees during storms
• Lightning statistics from the University of Western Australia
• Safety tips for vehicles during electrical emergencies
• Encouragement to try new things inspired by a motivational quote
• Call for listener engagement and feedback
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Lightning Strikes and Safety Tips
Speaker 1Hello everyone , welcome to Sparky's Life . I'm your host , grant Dilko . Today on the show we'll be talking about lightning strikes and I will include some interesting facts . Also , I have the quote of the week and some nice royalty free music to end off the show . So let's get the show started . Let's talk about lightning .
Speaker 1When the lightning is travelling through the air , it is always trying to find a path to ground , like an earthing system in an electrical circuit . So when people and animals are out and about in a lightning storm , the lightning bolt could very well use you or an animal as a source to get to ground . If you find yourself in a lightning storm , try and keep low to the ground as possible without lying on the ground , so as the lightning doesn't jump onto you to find ground . You hear about people being struck by lightning while taking shelter under a tree to avoid the rain and lightning . How can this happen ? It depends on the bark of the tree that you're seeking shelter from , the rain and thunder . If the bark on the tree is smooth , this will allow the rainwater to flow down outside the tree trunk and onto the ground . So if the tree is struck by lightning , the energy from the strike will flow down the water source on the outside of the trunk of the tree and find the ground . But if the tree bark is very coarse and rough , there will be dry patches and the water may not reach the base of the tree . So if that tree is struck by lightning , the energy will jump onto you or other animals to find ground . Also , avoid touching or holding metal objects , like metal sheds or metal handrails , and definitely don't go swimming or stand in puddles of water . Salt water is very conductive , so if you're in the ocean swimming and there's a strike on the water , it could be like placing a toaster or a hairdryer in the water while it is switched on and working off a working power point .
Speaker 1Another interesting fact is when the lightning hits the ground . Another interesting fact is when the lightning hits the ground , the energy radiates away from the strike in a circular belt wave pattern . The further away from the strike , the voltage decreases . There have been countless times when farmland has been struck by lightning with the paddock , with livestock such as cows . Because there is some length difference between the cow's front hoofs and back hoofs , this creates a voltage potential difference .
Speaker 1In a lightning strike . The front hooves add a different voltage that is different to the back hooves or vice versa , creating a step voltage or potential difference in voltages , causing the electrical current to flow through the enamel . The same principle can apply to a power line hitting the deck or lying over a car in an accident when the car hits a power pole . In this situation , the driver of the car or farm machine or equipment must stay within the vehicle at all times as the power line could still be live . It doesn't jump around and spark like it does in TV shows or movies . It's dead silent and doesn't move . The whole ground could be live with electricity , so it's safer to stay inside your vehicle until emergency services arrive and the power distributor has turned off the power and emergency power line workers have removed the downed power line . The vehicle is insulated with rubber tyres so there's no potential contact with electricity unless you touch the outside of the metal vehicle . In an event that the vehicle catches on fire , then you must exit the vehicle without touching the metal chassis and you must keep your feet together and shuffle away or hop away like a bunny rabbit , as mentioned before about the cows . Keeping your feet together reduces the risk of the potential voltage difference between two points until you're far enough away and in a safe zone , are far enough away and in a safe zone .
Speaker 1Hi there , I'm Grant Doolko . If this is your first time here at Sparky's Life , welcome . It's great to have you here . And if you're back here for more , welcome back and thank you for your loyalty and support . If you like what you hear on today's show , make sure you share this podcast with your mates who are electricians or who are involved in the tradie world . I want to reach out and help as many tradies as I can with this podcast . I want to help tradespeople break through to the next level in their career and in their lives .
Speaker 1I have some interesting facts about lightning from the University of Western Australia . An estimated 2,000 thunderstorms occur globally at any one time , producing up to 100 lightning strikes per second . That's almost 10 million strikes every day . Kampala in the country Uganda is the home of the most lightning on Earth , with 280 thunderstorms per day every year . The amount of energy in an average lightning bolt is 5 billion joules . That's enough to run a 100 watt light bulb for 18 months . There are between 5 and 10 deaths from lightning strikes in Australia each year and over 100 injuries . About 80 of these injuries result from the use of landline telephones . During thunderstorms , lightning heats the surrounding air , creating super temperatures up to 30,000 degrees Celsius . The lightning hot spots in Australia are found in the far north , closest to the equatorial border .
Speaker 1And now it's time for our regular quote of the week . This one is another quote from Michelle Obama Just try new things , don't be afraid , step out . I would like to add to that quote Soar like an Australian eagle , you're never too old to try new things , new hobbies or a new career path . You'll never know unless you do it . Just do it , just do it . Don't be left wondering . Wondering doesn't get you anywhere . So that's all for now , folks , but before I go , if there is anything you'd like me to talk about on future episodes , maybe want to ask a question or be on the show , you can do this by contacting us on any of our media sites . I'll put the links to these in the show notes . And don't forget to follow the show and leave a review . Thanks for listening to Sparky's Life .
Lost Without You - Grant Doolko
Speaker 1I'm your host , grant Doolko .
Speaker 2Keep safe and catch you on the next one . I would give you the world . If you , let me try again . Yeah , just give me one more chance . I swear I'll try my best to always be there and I want you to know that I'm lost without you .
Speaker 3I'm not without you . I hope I can show what you mean to me , Cause I don't know what to do if you go . I just don't know what to do if you go . You go , ooh .
Speaker 2Ooh yeah , just give me one more chance . I swear I'll try my best to always be there .
Speaker 3And I want you to know that I'm lost without you . I'm not without you . I hope I can show what you . I'm not without you . I hope I can't show what you mean to me , Cause I don't know what to do if you go . I just don't know what to do if you go .
