[SlickWillard]

Are not car jumper cables designed to host direct current? The last I heard, the Mr. Tesla had convinced all the utilities to push alternating current.

[boomop1]

The wires don't care if it's AC or DC.

[hopespringseternal]

Are not car jumper cables designed to host direct current?

DC vs AC isn't the problem.

The problem is that car jumper cables are designed around 12 volts and high amperage. If he hooked on to the wrong spots, he would be tapped into several thousand volts. The insulation on the clamps wouldn't even be (safely) sufficient for household voltages.

[SpottedBeaver]

Tesla was the one pushing DC. He lost that battle and the electric companies went with AC, which was pushed by Edison.

And, yeah, the wires don't really matter. This guy was just playing with the wrong wiring in the head.

[_Jim]

Are not car jumper cables designed to host direct current?

It sounds like this moron was hooking up to the primary of said electrical transformer on a utility pole -

- the primary lines feeding the local step-down transformers normally carry enough voltage to 'punch through' the minimal insulation on the handles/clips of most jumper cables ...

[Cobra64]

Are not car jumper cables designed to host direct current? </>

Copper wire is copper wire.

[Cobra64]

Are not car jumper cables designed to host direct current?

Copper wire is copper wire.

[Howlin' Hooligan]

AC electric is more practical when being distributed over long distances. It has something to do with power dissipation, or heat. My college electricity class is a bit distant and foggy about this one, but I remember my teacher addressing this issue.

[Jhoffa_]

The last I heard, the Mr. Tesla had convinced all the utilities to push alternating current.

I thought it was Westinghouse..

And, I don't think a cable knows the difference anyway. Provided it can handle the current.