"Volts jolt and current kills... who came up with that crap?" Very good question as you can't have one without the other and it takes both to do anything.
Some things are meant to be closed. Your mind isn't one of them.
"Volts jolt and current kills... who came up with that crap?" Very good question as you can't have one without the other and it takes both to do anything.
But amps really are the killer. If your body's resistance was low enough for you to get 10A at 1 volt, you'd definitely be dead. But you can take kilovolts if the current is low enough.
Last Edit: Jan 23, 2015 13:18:51 GMT -5 by jimustanguitar
"Volts jolt and current kills... who came up with that crap?" Very good question as you can't have one without the other and it takes both to do anything.
But amps really are the killer. If your body's resistance was low enough for you to get 10A at 1 volt, you'd definitely be dead. But you can take kilovolts if the current is low enough.
It's still a product of both, Power. Current can't flow without voltage. DC or AC also make a difference. Your body is a lot more resistant to DC current flow than it is AC current flow. That is why you can hold the + and - post of a car battery, but grab the spark plug wire while the engine is running and see how fast you let go.
It also depends on how it goes through your body. If it directly crosses your heart you are probably dead. It only takes about 0.1 - 0.2 amps to stop the human heart. It's really a crap shoot. Large amounts of Amperage can stop the heart but it will usually resume beating once the current is removed. Lower amps can stop it completely. Just like sometimes De-fibs work and sometimes they don't. About the only difference in high current vs low current is one will kill you almost instantly and the other gives you chance to let go and say ouch.
Best advice I ever got from a field electrician who works on live power distribution panels - One hand in the box, the other in you back pocket. That way if you cross anything it is only in your hand and forearm and it doesn't cross your chest.
Some things are meant to be closed. Your mind isn't one of them.
