Current takes all possible paths. It prefers the path of least impedance.=20 Isaac Marino Bavaresco wrote: >Em 4/5/2012 11:24, Bob Axtell escreveu: >> On 5/3/2012 3:27 PM, Martin McCormick wrote: >>> Electron writes: >>>> Won't the return currents cause ionization in the terrain, etc.. possi= bily >>>> with biological implications? >>> I just red the pdf on the link and it did say that the >>> return currents were around 1200 meters down. I know that >>> alternating current is successfully used in meggers which are >>> magneto-based ohm meters for measuring soil conductivity. I >>> don't know what would happen over a long period of current flow >>> but as long as there is not a DC component, the continuous >>> reversal seems to prevent ionization. >>> >>> Neon and fluorescent lamps last much longer running on >>> AC than they do on DC. Also, some en clinometers use an >>> electrolyte in a sealed tube and they can be damaged by DC but >>> work fine on AC. >>> >>> Martin McCormick >>> WB5AGZ >> I also read the PDF thoroughly. I am inclined to consider the idea of=20 >> transmitting >> power through ground as unsound. >> >> I see that, in theory, current will pass through the ground. But will it= =20 >> do so reliably? >> Wouldn't the fact that soil holds a varying amount of moisture cause a=20 >> differing >> amount of conductivity? Wouldn't two metal poles placed in the ground 3'= =20 >> deep >> and 50' apart measure a very different conductivity at night vs during=20 >> the day, >> because of the daytime evaporation of surface soil water? >> >> Who says that the current flows deep under the ground (i.e., 1200m)? Why= =20 >> doesn't >> it take the path of least resistance, like current normally does (I've=20 >> never seen it do >> otherwise in my entire life)? > > >Why could not at 1200m deep the conductivity be maximal? Perhaps rocks >full of metal ore, soaked in water? > > >Isaac > > >--=20 >http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive >View/change your membership options at >http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .