What is electrocution?
Q: What is electrocution?
A: Electrocution is when electricity passes through something living, typically the human body. It can be fatal or nonfatal, with fatal encounters referred to as electrocutions and nonfatal encounters referred to as electric shocks or simply a "shock".
Q: How much current is needed for current to flow through a body?
A: In order for current to flow through a body you need a sufficiently high voltage, typically more than 50 volts AC, and the voltage generator must be able to supply enough current.
Q: What kind of safety devices are used to protect humans from electric shock?
A: Safety devices like a GFCI or RCD try to protect humans from any current greater than 5 to 30 mA (0.005 to 0.03 Amps).
Q: At what level of electric current do human muscles become paralyzed?
A: Human muscles are paralyzed -- you cannot move an affected arm or leg -- at currents from 10 to 20 mA; as a result a victim may be unable to let go of a wire that is shocking him.
Q: At what level of electric current does breathing become difficult?
A: At around 20 mA breathing is difficult.
Q: At what level of electric current does the heart fibrillate?
A: At 100 mA the heart fibrillates -- death is quick.
Q: What happens at 200mA of electrical current?
A:At 200 mA you get severe musculature contractions and burning.
