How much electricity can the human body withstand?

The human body is a good conductor electricity. This, although it may seem somewhat alarming, is useful because many of the physiological processes that keep us alive are controlled by electrical impulses emanating from signals that are transmitted between neurons reach the brain heartbeat. However, while we need electricity to live, it can also cost us our lives if the electric shock is too strong. Now, when can we consider the intensity to be too high?

This is not a fixed question. That is, no exact number amperes that kill the human body. In fact, it depends on many factors, ranging from amount of muscle tissue before contact time with the flow.

A minimal electrical discharge lasting milliseconds is not the same as a longer one. But it is difficult; since from a certain muscle current strength they paralyze, making it difficult to reveal the source of the download. This makes the duration much longer and the effects more harmful. Therefore, the current indicators of tension will depend on all this. Of course, before knowing them, it is important to take into account some concepts that are sometimes confused.

Difference Between Current and Voltage

When talking about electrical current, the data is usually denoted by units such as amperes and volts. It is very important to remember that these are units of measurement used for different parameters, so they are not interchangeable.

Voltage refers to potential difference or, what is the same thing, the force that sets in motion an electric current. This is usually fixed data. That is, a fixed voltage is supplied to the circuit, but the current strength, which is measured in amperes, will be different at different points.

This intensity refers to amount of current which circulates at a point. Therefore, when talking about electric shock, we usually talk in amperes.

Electric shock is fatal to the human body

When we talk about the dangers of electric shock, the first alarming figure is the one that causes muscle paralysis.

It should be noted that one of the phenomena of the human body controlled by electric current is muscle movement. A little discharge helps these contracts. This is something completely normal that happens all the time when we move. However, if the electric shock is very intense and prolonged, the muscle contracts so strongly that it stops. capture. This phenomenon is known as tetanization because the effects are similar to those caused by tetanus toxins.

When a person is accidentally electrocuted, tetanization occurs around him. 10 milliamps (10 mA), although this may vary from one person to another. This is very dangerous because if, for example, this person is holding the cable, the tense muscles will not allow him to release it. This could prove fatal. And although 10 mA is not an inherently fatal force, we have already seen that duration of exposure can significantly increase severity. Respiratory paralysis may even occur.

It may also happen that if a person is perched on a tower or any other element of a certain height, he can no longer stand on his feet and ends up falling into the void.

On the other hand, even without reaching the ampere, only 75 milliampsnow you can create ventricular fibrillation. The heart still remains a muscle, the lower chambers of which, for the same reasons, begin to contract uncontrollably. This causes the blood pump to malfunction, preventing it from being properly supplied to all organs of the human body. Therefore, if assistance is not provided to the victim in time, the consequences can be fatal.

Subsequently, with intensity 5 amps, the tissue may be burned, resulting in severe burns. AND 4 to 10 amps Cardiac arrest occurs and if the voltage is close to 10 amperes, it will be difficult to resuscitate.