Wiktor Wise
Tasers are electroshock weapons that deliver a high-voltage, low-current electrical discharge to temporarily incapacitate a subject. The speed of electricity in a taser is incredibly quick, with the voltage output ranging from 100 V up to 6 kV and the current intensity output ranging from 100 to 500 mA. The electricity is delivered in microseconds, with the M-26 Taser models producing a peak current of 18 amperes in pulses that last for around 10 microseconds. The quick delivery of electricity in a taser allows it to effectively incapacitate a target by disrupting voluntary muscular control through the motor nervous system. While tasers deliver a high voltage, the current is kept low, resulting in a very small net power delivery to the target. This makes tasers a relatively safe and effective means of quickly stopping a threat, with over 5 million field deployments and a low rate of serious injuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taser voltage | 100 V to 6 kV |
| Current intensity output | 100 to 500 mA |
| Individual impulse duration | 10 to 100 microseconds |
| Frequency of impulse | 2 to 40 Hz |
| Electrical charge delivered | 15 to 500 microcoulombs |
| Energy delivered | 0.9 to 10 J |
| Taser models with peak current | M-26 |
| Taser models peak current | 18 amperes |
| Shock duration for intense pain and muscle contractions | Half a second |
| Shock duration for dazing and dropping the recipient | 2 to 3 seconds |
| Shock duration for disorienting and dropping the recipient | Over 3 seconds |
| Taser inventor | Jack Cover |
| Taser named after | Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle |
| Taser's effect on pacemakers | None |
| Taser's effect on the human body | Temporary immobility |
| Taser's effect on the human heart | Does not interfere |
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What You'll Learn
- Tasers have a high voltage mechanism, but the voltage reaching the target is much lower
- The electricity is delivered in pulses, with breaks in between, reducing the overall power
- The voltage is insufficient to push a large amount of power, so the amps delivered are low
- The electricity disrupts voluntary muscular control, but doesn't electrocute the target
- The duration of the shock affects the outcome, with longer shocks causing more harm
Tasers have a high voltage mechanism, but the voltage reaching the target is much lower
While a taser's voltage mechanism may be high, the voltage that ultimately reaches the target is significantly lower. This is due to the fact that tasers are designed with low amperage, which prevents fatal injuries while still effectively disabling an attacker. The high voltage in a taser is necessary to generate the shock and penetrate clothing and skin, but the electronics are set up to keep the current and delivered power low.
Tasers operate on the principle of delivering a series of micro shocks, with brief exposures to electricity, rather than a constant current. This is achieved through a rapid discharge mechanism, where a capacitor is slowly charged by a regular battery and then rapidly drained when the trigger is pulled. The instantaneous nature of the shocks results in a very small net power delivery, preventing lasting damage.
The effectiveness of a taser, therefore, relies more on factors such as electrode placement and spread, as well as pulse frequency and duration. By increasing the probe spread, the incapacitation effect is enhanced. Additionally, the duration of the pulse determines how long the target remains affected.
It is important to note that while a taser's high voltage may seem intimidating, it is the combination of current, waveform, and duration that ensures incapacitation. The amperage, or current, plays a critical role in determining the taser's effectiveness. In comparison, a static shock from walking across a carpet may carry a high voltage but results in only a mild tingling sensation due to its low current.
The concept can be likened to a pressure washer, which operates with high intensity but a lower flow of water. Similarly, a taser delivers a high-voltage shock but with a low amperage, ensuring its non-lethal nature while still causing involuntary muscle contractions.
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The electricity is delivered in pulses, with breaks in between, reducing the overall power
The electricity delivered by a Taser is in the form of pulses with breaks in between, which reduces the overall power. This is in contrast to a wall socket, which delivers a constant current until contact is broken. The Taser's electronics are set up to keep the current and delivered power low. The pulses are momentary, and the device cuts off and charges the next shock after delivering the first. This results in a very small net power delivery.
Tasers are a type of electroshock weapon that delivers a temporary high-voltage, low-current electrical discharge. The output voltage is in the range of 100 V up to 6 kV, while the current intensity output is between 100 and 500 mA. The individual impulse duration is brief, ranging from 10 to 100 microseconds, and the frequency of impulses is between 2 and 40 Hz. The electrical charge delivered is between 15 and 500 microcoulombs, resulting in an energy delivery of 0.9 to 10 joules.
The M-26 Taser model, for example, produces a peak current of 18 amperes in pulses lasting around 10 microseconds. The duration of the shock affects the impact on the recipient. A half-second shock can cause intense pain and muscle contractions, while two to three seconds can daze the recipient and cause them to fall. Prolonged or continuous exposure may lead to medical risks such as cumulative exhaustion and breathing impairment.
Taser energy weapons are designed to temporarily incapacitate a subject only during the electrical cycle, allowing for quick recovery without residual side effects. The technology induces neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI), sending a signal to the muscles to flex. The amount of current delivered in this signal is extremely low, far below the level required to electrocute someone or interfere with a pacemaker. Tasers work by disrupting voluntary muscular control through the motor nervous system.
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The voltage is insufficient to push a large amount of power, so the amps delivered are low
Tasers work by delivering electrical pulses that travel through clothing and skin, delivering a shock to the nervous system. The voltage must be high enough to ensure that the pulse reaches its target, but the amperage must be low to prevent any lasting damage. While a taser may have a high voltage, it is designed to deliver a low amperage, which is what causes damage. This is why tasers are considered non-lethal weapons.
The voltage of a taser is not sufficient to push a large amount of power. The electronics are set up to keep the current low, so the delivered power is also low. The pulses are momentary, and the taser cuts off the current almost instantly, charging up the next shock. This means that the net power delivered is very small.
Tasers have a high voltage in the mechanism to generate the shock, but by the time the electricity reaches the target, the voltage will be lower. The voltage will be high enough to overcome the target's internal resistance, but the current is too low to cause lasting damage.
Amperage, or current, is what causes damage to the human body. A taser's low amperage prevents fatal injuries while still delivering a shock that can immobilize an attacker. A small amount of current can cause the heart to stop beating by interrupting or halting its rhythm. However, the current must be strong enough to travel into and back out of the chest without dissipating.
The voltage of a taser is insufficient to push a large amount of power, so the amps delivered are low. This low amperage ensures that tasers are non-lethal and do not cause lasting damage.
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The electricity disrupts voluntary muscular control, but doesn't electrocute the target
Tasers are a line of handheld conducted energy devices (CED) that use electrical current to temporarily incapacitate subjects by inducing neuromuscular incapacitation, or NMI. Tasers do not electrocute their targets. This is because the level of current delivered is extremely low, far below the amount needed to electrocute someone. In fact, the amount of power delivered by a taser is tiny. The electronics are set up to keep the current low, so the delivered power is also low. The pulses are also momentary.
Tasers work by firing two small barbed darts that are connected to the main unit by thin wires. These darts are designed to puncture the skin and remain attached to the target. The enormous rush of current into the body produces effects ranging from localized pain to strong involuntary long muscle contractions, causing NMI. The darts can also be removed, and the device used in a "drive-stun" mode by pushing the front of the weapon into the skin to function as a higher-charge stun gun. This mode is intended to cause pain without incapacitating the target.
Tasers are designed to stimulate Type A-α motor neurons, which are the nerves that control skeletal muscle contraction, but without stimulating cardiac muscle. The current from Tasers is intended primarily to disable the target by preventing voluntary movement. The largest diameter myelinated A-α motor neuron axons tend to have relatively low electrical thresholds and are fairly easy to stimulate. This is because the stimulation threshold correlates inversely with cell diameter.
Taser technology is one of the most studied, safe, and effective means of quickly stopping a threat. Tasers have been used over 5 million times in the field, and in a study of 1,201 field cases of Taser energy weapon use, 99.75% resulted in no serious injury.
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The duration of the shock affects the outcome, with longer shocks causing more harm
The duration of the shock from a Taser is an important factor in determining the harm caused to the recipient. While the voltage of a Taser can be 10,000 volts, by the time it reaches the target, it is closer to 1200 volts. The electronics are designed to keep the current low, and the pulses are momentary. If the current were to be applied constantly, it could result in death. However, the brief exposure to electricity causes localized pain and strong involuntary muscle contractions, leading to "neuromuscular incapacitation" (NMI). The standard cycle for law enforcement Tasers is a 5-second electric current, which can be re-energized if needed. Civilian Tasers, on the other hand, typically have a 30-second cycle.
The prolonged use of Tasers has been a cause for concern. Amnesty International has expressed worry about the "Drive Stun" mode, which can be used to inflict multiple and prolonged shocks. A 2025 New York Times study identified 611 incidents out of 44,000 where Tasers were triggered for at least 15 seconds, exceeding the recommended maximum shock duration of 15 seconds. The potential for abuse and the infliction of excessive harm underscores the need for proper training and adherence to guidelines in the use of Tasers.
The effects of a Taser shock can vary from localized pain to strong muscle contractions, temporary memory loss, and neurocognitive side effects. In rare cases, kidney damage and testicular torsion have been reported. The stress and pain associated with the shock can contribute to trauma, especially for individuals already experiencing emotional distress. While the electrical cycle is designed to be temporary, the potential for abuse and prolonged shocks highlights the risks associated with Taser usage.
Additionally, the number of agencies deploying Tasers and the incidents involving their use have been on the rise. With over 15,000 law enforcement and military agencies worldwide using Tasers, the potential for misuse and excessive force is a valid concern. The number of reported deaths involving Tasers is also significant, with over 1,000 deaths recorded. The possibility of serious injury or death exists, particularly for individuals with heart conditions or those under the influence of certain drugs. Therefore, the duration of the shock has a direct impact on the outcome, with longer shocks increasing the risk of harm and even death.
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Frequently asked questions
The speed of electricity in a taser is nearly the speed of light, around 186,000 miles per second.
A taser uses electrical current to temporarily incapacitate a person by inducing neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI). When the taser connects with the body, it sends a signal to the muscles, telling them to flex. The amount of current delivered in this signal is extremely low, far below the level required to electrocute someone.
The effects of a taser last only as long as the electrical cycle, meaning the person can recover immediately, and most people do not experience any residual side effects.
