Train Tracks Are The Most Dangerous Way To Charge A Phone

Train Tracks Are The Most Dangerous Way To Charge A Phone

Video: Did I mention it’s illegal too? Because it’s super illegal.

While everything about this video screams “Russian prank!”, charging a phone off the rails seem scientifically legit. Many lines run a low voltage through their tracks so that stations can determine the location of individual trains — which is also why this is so dangerous. Not only would someone charging their phone this way risk getting run over, but interrupting the rail power likely sends false information to the signalers who control train patterns. Luckily, this experiment was allegedly “performed under the supervision of an experienced railway worker”.

Although the power is inconsistent, the video’s creator used a rectifier to keep the tracks from frying his Nokia brick.

[YouTube via Reddit]


The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

It’s the most popular NBN speed in Australia for a reason. Here are the cheapest plans available.

At Gizmodo, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.