.. 2.6

AC mains pickup
===============

**Objective**

Learn about the AC mains supply. Explore the phenomenon of propagation
of AC through free space.

.. image:: schematics/line-pickup.svg
	   :width: 300px

**Procedure**

-  Connect a long wire to A3
-  Take one end of the wire near the AC mains line, without touching any
   mains supply.
-  Enable A3, and it’s analysis.

**Discussion**

The power line pickup is shown below, there are five cycles in 100
milliseconds. Without making any connection, how are we getting the AC
voltage from the mains supply ? Why the voltage increaes when you touch
the end of the wire connected to A1 by hand.

.. image:: pics/pickup.png
	   :width: 300px
