electric shocks
• An electric shock occurs when a person comes into
contact with an electrical energy source. Electrical energy
flows through a portion of the body causing a shock.
Exposure to electrical energy may result in no injury at all
or may result in devastating damage or death.
• Burns are the most common injury from electric shock.
• The minimum current a human can feel depends on the
current type (AC or DC) and frequency. A person can feel
at least 1 mA of AC at 60 Hz, while at least 5 mA for DC.
The current may, if it is high enough, cause tissue damage
which leads to cardiac arrest. 60 mA of AC (rms, 60 Hz) or
300–500 mA of DC can cause tissue damage.
causes of electric shocks and precaution
• Factors in lethality of electric shock
the lethality of an electric shock is dependent on
several variables:
Current. The higher the current, the more likely it is
lethal. Since current is proportional to voltage when
resistance is fixed (ohm's law), high voltage is a risk
for producing higher currents.
Duration. The longer the duration, the more likely it
is lethal — safety switches may limit time of current
flow
Pathway. If current flows through the heart muscle, it is more likely to
be lethal.
Very high voltage (over about 600 volts). This is an additional risk
over the simple ability of high voltage to cause high current at a fixed
resistance. Very high voltage, enough to cause burns, will cause
dielectric breakdown at the skin, actually lowering total body
resistance and, ultimately, causing even higher current than when the
voltage was first applied.
causes of electric shocks and precaution
• If a person is going to help someone who has
sustained a high voltage shock, he or she needs to
be very careful that they don't become a second
victim of a similar electrical shock. If a high voltage
line has fallen to the ground, there may be a circle
of current spreading out from the tip of the line.
• A victim who has fallen from a height or sustained a
severe shock causing multiple injuries may have a
serious neck injury and should not be moved
without first protecting the neck.
causes of electric shocks and precaution
Steps to prevent electrical injury depend primarily on the
age of people involved.
o For children younger than 12 years, most electrical
injuries are caused by power cords.
o Inspect your power cords and extension cords.
o Replace any cords that have broken or cracked external
covering and any cord that has exposed wire.
o Do not allow children to play with any electrical cord.
o Limit use of extension cords and be sure the cord is rated for
the current (measured in amps) that will be drawn by the
device being powered.
o Use outlet covers to protect infants from exploring electrical
outlets.
causes of electric shocks and precaution
• In children older than 12 years, most electrical
injuries result from exploring and activities around
high-power systems. Explain to adolescent children
that they should not climb on power towers, play
near transformer systems.
• Among adults, use of common sense can help
reduce electrical injury. People who work with
electricity should always check that the power is off
before working on electrical systems. Avoid use of
any electrical device near water. Be careful of
standing in water or when working with electricity.
How to prevent electric shock
Educate yourself. Know the following:
o Voltage is the force that causes the flow of
current.
• Current is the amount of electricity that is
flowing.
• Resistance slows down or stops the flow of
current.
• The greater the resistance the lower the amount
of flow.
• A ground is a connection between the electrical
circuit and the earth.
• Electricity always seeks a ground.
How to prevent electric shock
Be safe. Here are a few tips to follow:
o Never overload electrical circuits.
• Check electrical cords for fraying, signs of wear, and defects.
• Always cut off the power switches when working on
equipment.
• Keep all electronic equipment away from dampness and
water.
• Inspect your area for any electrical hazards.
• In case of an electrical fire, shut the power off and use a fire
extinguisher on the fire.
• Never use water to put out an electrical fire! To do so could
result in a fatal shock. Use fire extinguishers that are
recommended for electrical fires only.
effect of electric current on human body
• Current Involved in Electric Shock
• The electric current in amperes is the most important physiological
variable which determines the severity of an electric shock. However,
this current is in turn determined by the driving voltage and the
resistance of the path which the current follows through the body
effect of electric current on human body
techniques to reduce the effect of electric shock