Last edited Tue May 2, 2017, 01:00 AM - Edit history (1)
You can have a voltage difference between your two legs. This a result of resistance of the ground and voltage drop it causes across a distance.
An example would be going out to your breaker box to reset a tripped breaker during a storm. The lightning can hit a overhead line. It travels down the neutral wire then goes to the grounding rod. From the ground rod as the voltage travels it loses voltage because of resistance. So you have a voltage potential difference as you go away from the ground rod. I.E. you can have 2,000 volts at one foot and 1,000 volts on the other.
Same thing can happen if lightning strikes a tree and you are nearby.
Rubber soled shoes aren't really a fool proof protection. Since the leather or canvas can get wet and still conduct electricity. Even the high rubber boots according to the available voltage may not prevent shock. Also shuffling your feet may not work. The main thing is the distance between the feet when moving.
Edit forgot to add it's not the voltage but the amps that kill. That's why you see those people who have van de graff or tesla coils touch it or have the electricity running off their fingers not getting killed. High voltage but low amperage going through the body.
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