Effects of Electric Current in the Human Body
The following information is from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) publication 3075, Controlling Electrical Hazards, available at https://www.osha.gov/Publications/3075.html or https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3075.pdf.
What effect do shocks have on the body?
An electric shock can result in anything from a slight tingling
sensation to immediate cardiac arrest. The severity depends on the
following:
- the amount of current flowing through the body,
- the current's path through the body,
- the length of time the body remains in the circuit, and
- the current's frequency.
This table shows the general relationship between
the amount of current received and the reaction when current flows from
the hand to the foot for just 1 second.
Effects of Electric Current in the Human Body
Current |
Reaction |
|
Below 1 milliampere |
Generally not perceptible |
1 milliampere
|
Faint tingle |
5 milliamperes |
Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing.
Average individual can let go. Strong involuntary reactions can lead to
other injuries. |
6–25 milliamperes (women) |
Painful shock, loss of muscular control* |
9–30 milliamperes (men) |
The freezing current or " let-go" range.*
Individual cannot let go, but can be thrown away from the circuit if
extensor muscles are stimulated. |
50–150 milliamperes |
Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular contractions. Death is possible. |
1,000–4,300 milliamperes |
Rhythmic pumping action of the heart ceases. Muscular contraction and nerve damage occur; death likely. |
10,000 milliamperes |
Cardiac arrest, severe burns; death probable |
* If the extensor muscles are excited by the shock, the person may be thrown away from the power source.
Source: W.B. Kouwenhoven, " Human Safety and Electric Shock," Electrical
Safety Practices, Monograph, 112, Instrument Society of America, p. 93.
November 1968.
|
|