Transcript CURRENT AND THE HUMAN BODY

CURRENT AND THE
HUMAN BODY
CURRENT AND THE HUMAN
BODY
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Human body tissues are good conductors of
electricity, due to ions in solution in the body.
The body’s resistance varies from 100  to
500,000 , with average being about
100,000 .
Electrocution is caused by current, not
voltage.
CURRENT
EFFECT ON BODY
.001 A (1 mA)
Can be felt
.005 A (5 mA)
Painful
.010 A (10 mA)
.015 A (15 mA)
.070 A (70 mA)
Involuntary muscle
contractions (spasms)
Loss of muscle control
Serious disruption to heart
function; probably fatal if
lasting more than 1 second
CURRENT AND THE HUMAN
BODY
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Current can only pass through your body if
there is a potential difference between one
part and another. Being grounded produces a
potential difference and a path for the current
to follow.
CURRENT AND THE HUMAN
BODY
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Fuses or Circuit Breakers are devices that open
an electric circuit when too much current flows in it
(10-30 A). They are not sensitive enough to protect
the human body from shock.
CURRENT AND THE HUMAN
BODY
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Ground-Fault
Circuit Interrupt
(GFCI) Outlets open
the circuit when the
current to ground is
around 5 mA, so they
provide protection
from shock. They are
required where water
and electricity are
close together.