Trystan Casey
When it comes to electricity, the question of whether volts or amps are deadly is an important one. While some people believe that amperage is the main factor in electrical fatalities, others argue that voltage plays a crucial role as well. The truth is that both are important, and understanding their relationship is key to staying safe. Electric shocks can occur at various voltages, and while amperage is the measure of the total amount of electricity, it is the current that ultimately causes harm. The path the electricity takes through the body and the resistance it encounters also play a role in determining the severity of a shock.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What kills in electricity | Amperes (Amps) |
| Volts are | Potential |
| Current may kill | When voltage and resistance allow it |
| Resistance depends on | Contact area, pressure, skin thickness, moisture, salt, applied voltage, and frequency |
| Higher voltage | Draws more current |
| Amps | Total amount of electricity |
| High voltage alone won't kill | If you are insulated well enough |
| Severity of shock depends on | Path's resistance |
| Resistance of the human body depends on | Moisture content of the skin, objects the current path is travelling through, and the path the current is taking through the body |
| High voltage | Can cause severe burns |
| Low resistance of the heart | A current of 10mA is sufficient to kill |
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What You'll Learn
The amperage kills, not the voltage
It is the amperage, or the current, that kills, not the voltage.
While voltage is important, amperage is the real danger. A common analogy used to explain this is to imagine voltage as the height from which a rock is dropped and amperage as the size of the rock. Height (voltage) can be thought of as potential—a rock suspended in the air has potential energy, but it is the movement of the rock (amperage) that can kill.
Another analogy compares electricity to water in pipes. Voltage is the water pressure, while amperage is the amount of water flowing. A small amount of water flowing through a pipe (low amperage) is not dangerous, even if the water pressure (voltage) is high. However, if a large amount of water (high amperage) flows through the pipe, it can become dangerous, even if the water pressure (voltage) is low.
The human body's resistance to electricity varies depending on factors such as skin moisture, body fat content, clothing, and whether the skin is broken. Ohm's Law states that current (amperage) is equal to voltage divided by resistance. Therefore, the amperage that flows through the body depends on both the voltage and the body's resistance at that moment.
While it is true that higher voltages can lead to more dangerous shocks, it is the amperage that ultimately determines the lethality of an electric shock. As little as half an amp passing through the body can start cooking blood and cause nerve damage, leading to serious health issues, including heart problems and burns.
To summarise, while voltage plays a role in the severity of electric shocks, it is ultimately the amperage that kills.
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Higher voltage leads to more dangerous shocks
While amperage is the main culprit behind fatal electric shocks, higher voltage leads to more dangerous shocks. When the voltage of a current goes up, your skin's resistance goes down, allowing more current to flow through your skin and into your blood vessels.
The human skin acts as a resistor, or a barrier against electric currents. However, when the voltage is high enough, it can overcome the skin's resistance and pass through into the bloodstream. The amperage, or the amount of electricity, then has the potential to induce ventricular fibrillation, a condition that can be fatal.
The path the current takes through the body also plays a role in the severity of the shock. Touching a live wire with one hand and having your feet grounded is less dangerous than touching the ground with one hand and the live wire with the other. This is because the shortest path between the two hands passes through the heart, and more current will pass through it, causing severe damage.
The resistance of the human body depends on factors such as moisture content, the path the current is taking, and what other objects the current is passing through. For example, when submerged in water, the body's resistance decreases to about 150 ohms. In this case, a voltage exceeding 7.5 volts poses a significant risk.
Therefore, while amperage is the main factor in fatal electric shocks, higher voltage can lead to more dangerous shocks by lowering the skin's resistance and increasing the amperage.
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Electric current can cause ventricular fibrillation, which is fatal
Electric shocks can cause ventricular fibrillation, which can be fatal. Ventricular fibrillation is the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death. It occurs when rapid, irregular electrical signals cause the lower heart chambers to quiver instead of pumping blood. This results in a sudden drop in blood pressure and, if untreated, can lead to death within minutes.
The electric current's path through the body is crucial. If it passes through the heart, ventricular fibrillation can occur, but if the current flows from one hand to the other, it may cause pain but is less likely to be lethal. The skin acts as a protective barrier, and its higher resistance compared to the heart means it can absorb higher currents, preventing them from reaching the heart. However, electric shocks can cause involuntary muscle contractions, making it difficult to release the electrical source, increasing the risk of serious burns.
The voltage and amperage of the electric current also play a role. While higher voltage can draw more current, it is the amperage that directly causes harm. A current of 10 mA is considered a severe shock, and at 100 mA, muscle contractions can occur. The heart's low resistance means that a current of only 10 mA can be fatal. Additionally, the duration of the shock is important; a current of one-tenth of an ampere can be fatal within 2 seconds.
In the case of ventricular fibrillation, immediate treatment is crucial. Emergency measures include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to deliver shocks to the heart. Medications, implanted devices, or surgery may also be recommended to prevent future episodes.
It is important to note that the mechanisms by which alternating current (AC) induces ventricular fibrillation are not fully understood, and further research is ongoing.
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Wet skin has lower resistance, increasing the risk of electrocution
When it comes to electrical safety, it is crucial to understand the risks associated with wet skin. While electricity can be a powerful tool, it can also be deadly, and wet skin plays a significant role in increasing the chances of electrocution.
The human body's resistance to electricity is an essential factor in electrical safety. Dry skin typically has higher resistance, ranging from 1000 to 10000 ohms. However, when skin becomes wet, its resistance decreases substantially. This decrease in resistance provides a more accessible pathway for electrical current to enter and pass through the body, increasing the risk of electrocution.
The presence of water on the skin introduces ions, which facilitate the flow of electricity. This reduction in resistance means that even low voltages can result in lethal shocks. For example, when submerged in water, the body's resistance decreases to about 150 ohms, and a voltage exceeding 7.5 volts can pose a significant risk. Additionally, the time of exposure to an electrical current is also a critical factor, with shorter durations sometimes proving fatal.
The path the electricity takes through the body is another vital consideration. If the current travels through vital organs like the heart, it can induce ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal condition. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of one's surroundings and avoid handling electrical items with wet hands or when standing on wet surfaces.
To minimize the risk of electrocution, it is essential to prioritize safety measures. This includes avoiding contact with electrical items when your skin is wet, ensuring that electrical appliances are not used near water sources, and being cautious when working with live wires. By understanding the dangers of wet skin and electricity, we can take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and others from potential harm.
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Current can be fatal in as little as 2 seconds
It is important to understand that it is not the voltage that kills a person, but the current that flows through the body. Volts are just the potential, but it is the current or the movement that kills. A higher voltage will draw more current, but it is not the voltage that kills.
The severity of an electrical injury depends on the amount of current and the length of time it passes through the body. A current of one-tenth of an ampere or 0.1 ampere can be fatal in just 2 seconds. This is because the resistance of the skin is greater than the resistance inside the body, so if the current travels from one hand to the other, passing through the heart, it can induce ventricular fibrillation, which is often fatal.
The path the electricity takes through the body is also important. If the current flows from the right hand to the right leg, for example, it may cause pain but is unlikely to be lethal. However, if it passes through the heart or nervous system, it is much more dangerous and can lead to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
The amount of current required to cause ventricular fibrillation depends on the pathway. For example, a domestic power supply voltage of 110 or 230 V with alternating current through the chest for longer than one second may induce ventricular fibrillation at currents as low as 30 milliamperes. With direct current, 90 to 130 mA are required. If the current has a direct pathway to the heart, such as through a cardiac catheter, a much lower current of less than 1 mA can cause fibrillation.
It is important to note that electrical injuries can also cause severe burns and disfigurement, even if they do not result in death.
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Frequently asked questions
Amps. Volts are just potential. It's the current, or the movement of amps, that can kill. However, without voltage, there would be no current. So, while amps are what kills, both are needed for injury or death.
It depends on the amperage and the resistance of the body. While higher voltages do lead to more dangerous shocks, electric shocks can occur at household voltages of 110 volts or even 42 volts.
A current of 10 mA or 0.01 A is a severe shock but is not fatal. As the current approaches 100 mA or 0.1 A, muscle contractions set in. A current of 10 mA is sufficient to kill due to the low resistance of the heart. However, the current rarely reaches the heart as the skin has higher resistance and absorbs the current.
The resistance of the body depends on the moisture content of the skin, the path the current is taking through the body, and other objects the current path is travelling through.
