I watched Myth Busters the other day and they tested this event and said it was not possible so how come?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080722/tuk-man-died-urinating-on-live-rail-dba1618.html

It appears a guy has died from urinating on a live rail?

Answer 1

there were gaps is the stream of p**s

Answer 2

According to the MythBusters experiment, the guy would have to practically be standing on top of the rail.  Otherwise the urine stream would break up in to droplets and not have the continuity to conduct electricity.

I suppose an alternative theroy is that he ended up standing in his own puddle.

Answer 3

Poles conduct electricity.

Answer 4

In America i believe (don't quote me mind you) that the voltages and currents are lower than here in Britain, and as Mythbusters are created in America is is safe to presume that they only tested up to there 'standards'. I saw this episode as well by the way, and thought that this event should be possible as electricity finds the easiest route and can arc.

Answer 5

If you watch the entire episode, they explain everything. Mythbusters always gives a full explanation of what they are doing and why. They always wrap it up at the end of the show. Just watch and listen closely to the entire episode and you will know. I think you can catch episodes online.

Answer 6

I saw that mythbusters, and actually they revisiting this one using and electric fence.  What they concluded is that the stream gets too broken up to carry the electricity.  What can happen is that the guy may have fallen down or been kneeling, maybe he tripped.  I would cast serious doubt on any report of someone peeing on the rail from a standing position and getting electrocuted. I just seems that there is more to it.