Simulation on safety of human beings contacting the surface of an Overhead Insulated Conductor

Using insulated covered conductor instead of bare overhead conductor is gaining momentum recently due to several advantages. Many developed countries already have installations resulting in improved system performance such as reduced/no outages due to birds or branches of tree falling on the conductors apart from safety to human beings and animals and birds which as there will be least chances of electric shock. However, often concerns are expressed on safety aspects as the installations in developing countries like India are yet to take place. This is mainly due to misunderstanding on high surface voltages when not contacted which would become negligible upon contact. In view of this a strong need is felt to clarify on these aspects. In this paper, modeling and simulation of the insulated covered conductor has been done to investigate the electrocution hazard to personnel by contact. In order to see the currents and voltages on contact, voltages must be estimated on the surface of the covered conductor. Interesting results on the transient and steady state currents and voltages during contact for different human body resistances are presented. It is shown here that the currents and voltages upon touching the surface would be negligible enough and would not cause any electric shock or even perceptible sense to living beings.