Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Module Goals
This section is intended to inform of the dangers of accidental contact
and methods of protection that can be utilized to protect ones life.
These concepts can be brought forward into streetlighting practices to
help achieve the best system possible for safeguarding the public.
2
Electric Shock & the Human Body
Three primary factors affect the severity of the shock a person receives
when he or she is a part of an electrical circuit:
Other factors that may affect the severity of the shock are:
The voltage of the current.
The presence of moisture in the environment.
The phase of the heart cycle when the shock occurs.
The general health of the person prior to the shock.
3
Electric Shock & the Human Body
The human body, particularly the heart, is very vulnerable to electrical
current. Muscle contraction, paralysis, or heart stoppage can result
from the flow of current through the body. Burns of the skin may also
occur. These effects depend upon the amount of current and the path
the current takes through the body.
The length of time during which the current flows through the body is
also a significant factor. At currents ranging from 0.0001 to 0.001
ampere, a person may start to sense that current flow is present. A
current level of 0.001 to 0.005 ampere may cause the arm muscles to
contract and pain to begin.
4
Electric Shock & the Human Body
If the current level is above 0.03 ampere, loss of voluntary controls over
respiratory muscles may occur, causing breathing to stop. Normal
respiration generally resumes if the current is interrupted.
Current flow through the heart muscle will cause ventricular fibrillation.
During this condition, the muscles of the heart operate in a disorganized
manner and do not pump blood. Current levels as low as 0.075 ampere
can cause this condition, but the human body can normally tolerate this
for a short time.
5
Electric Shock & the Human Body
6
Electric Shock & the Human Body
Your body is 70 percent water, and
water is an excellent conductor of
electricity. So, when you touch an
energized bare electrical wire or a
faulty appliance, the electricity will
use your body as the shortest path to
the ground. If you are grounded, the
electricity will instantly pass through
you to the ground, causing a
harmfuland sometimes fatal
shock.
You can be killed by the tiny amount
of electricity used by one 7.5-watt
holiday light if it passes through your
chest. If the shock doesn't kill you, it
can still badly hurt you by causing
serious falls, burns, cuts, or internal
bleeding. A shock from a 100-watt
bulb or a 1000-watt hair dryer will
probably be fatal.
7
Electric Shock & the Human Body
Current Level Probable Effect on Human Body
8
Electric Shock & the Human Body
Resistance of the human body
9
Electric Shock & the Human Body
10
Electric Shock & the Human Body
11
Electric Shock & the Human Body
30 volts is generally considered to be a conservative threshold value for
dangerous voltage. The cautious person should regard any voltage
above 30 volts as threatening, not relying on normal body resistance for
protection against shock. That being said, it is still an excellent idea to
keep one's hands clean and dry, and remove all metal jewelry when
working around electricity.
12
Electric Shock & the Human Body
13