There was a Mythbusters episode which tested this theory out and found it pretty unlikely.
There are numerous complicating factors, like the weather, what shoes you're wearing, and whether you've just had sex.
for those who cringed at that one, there was a worse story, of a man in Russia who took a pee in the street in freezing cold weather. his pee froze in mid air, and then up inside him.....A MAN died at a busy railway station when he was electrocuted after reportedly urinating on the track, it has emerged.
The 41-year-old Polish tourist was killed at Vauxhall station in London in the early evening on July 12.
The man, a married teacher, is said to have been looking for somewhere discreet to go to the toilet.
He walked on to the track from a platform but his urine splashed on to a live rail.
Two ambulances and a fast response unit were sent to the scene but he could not be saved.
IMO far more important is the return path to earth. If you are stood there peeing on a dry warm day and wearing well insulated footwear, how are you going to make a good return path to earth?Unlikely, but just about possible.
Urine is somewhat conductive due to the salts and minerals dissolved therein. A continuous stream of urine could conduct a dangerous current with serious consequences.
However urine tends to spread out into droplets rather than form a continuous stream. The current can not pass through the air gaps between the droplets.
Urinating onto a conductor rail is therefore low risk, but please don't try it just in case. There are also risks in being near the live rail, such as falling.
I realise local newspapers are hardly proof of anything, but fyi:
http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/man-dies-after-urinating-on-live-rail-1-165663
for those who cringed at that one, there was a worse story, of a man in Russia who took a pee in the street in freezing cold weather. his pee froze in mid air, and then up inside him.....
Matthew Zeno Killed, Friend Hurt After Being Electrocuted By Third Rail On G Train Tracks
By Aidan Gardiner
BROOKLYN — A man was killed after being electrocuted Monday morning while walking on the tracks near the Broadway G train stop, cops said.
Another man was hurt.
Matthew Zeno, 30, and another man were walking north on the southbound side of the subway, near Union Avenue, when Zeno paused to urinate and inadvertantly contacted the third rail, according to the FDNY and NYPD.
(article continues...)
Unlikely, but just about possible.
Urine is somewhat conductive due to the salts and minerals dissolved therein. A continuous stream of urine could conduct a dangerous current with serious consequences.
However urine tends to spread out into droplets rather than form a continuous stream. The current can not pass through the air gaps between the droplets.
Urinating onto a conductor rail is therefore low risk, but please don't try it just in case. There are also risks in being near the live rail, such as falling.
To be fair I always wear insulated boots if I get lucky anyway.Ok, i'll bite.
Are you saying you're more likely to get a jolt up the crown jewels if you've just got lucky?
I've tried it, nothing happenedCould a person be electrocuted if peeing onto a 3rd rail? Just wondering!
Good idea. I'll give it a go next time I'm near some and report backHow about peeing on to 25kV wires? I ask merely for information...
To be fair I always wear insulated boots if I get lucky anyway.
guiness book off records posthumosely off courseHow about peeing on to 25kV wires? I ask merely for information...
In seriousness I reckon plenty of station footbridges passing over OLE are low enough that you could actually get a very painful shock (at best!) by doing this - they're at a safe clearance for standing near the wires, not for peeing on them!How about peeing on to 25kV wires? I ask merely for information...
I don't believe the Russian story. The urine still inside any part of the body would still be at about blood heat and not liable to freeze. In very cold conditions, urine may freeze before falling to the ground, but freezing INSIDE the body, no way.
Could a person be electrocuted if peeing onto a 3rd rail? Just wondering!
are you referring to flow conductivity or some other pointFar more likely for a woman than a man I'd say.
Good idea. I'll give it a go next time I'm near some and report back
are you referring to flow conductivity or some other point
To be fair I always wear insulated boots if I get lucky anyway.
we talking third rail sheep nowAs a Welshman it's wellies for me!
Nice one!To be fair I always wear insulated boots if I get lucky anyway.
Ok, i'll bite.
Are you saying you're more likely to get a jolt up the crown jewels if you've just got lucky?
guiness book off records posthumosely off course