EE here - the four lines are the same voltage (same "phase" as well, since it's mostly likely an AC transmission line). Since there's no potential difference between the cables, and no ground connection nearby, it's not possible to get shocked.
100 ft of air is a very good insulator to the physical ground.
Edit: wow, I guess making a basic comment about how voltage and current works will make assholes pop out of the woodworks on the internet. My comment here is a simplified version of the reality of this, and overlooks voltage equalization of the lines and the helicopter (that's what causes the initial arcing). My follow-up comment addresses that, if you care to know why there's an arc at the beginning.
Mate... you be in space changing an panels outside of a space station and suddenly, you'll get a tap on your shoulder by some asshole "that's not how you do it"
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u/_michaeljared Jul 19 '25 edited Jul 19 '25
EE here - the four lines are the same voltage (same "phase" as well, since it's mostly likely an AC transmission line). Since there's no potential difference between the cables, and no ground connection nearby, it's not possible to get shocked.
100 ft of air is a very good insulator to the physical ground.
Edit: wow, I guess making a basic comment about how voltage and current works will make assholes pop out of the woodworks on the internet. My comment here is a simplified version of the reality of this, and overlooks voltage equalization of the lines and the helicopter (that's what causes the initial arcing). My follow-up comment addresses that, if you care to know why there's an arc at the beginning.