Electric Shock Professor Ahdab Elmorshedy

How Shock Occurs

The severity of the shock received when a person becomes a part of an electric circuit is affected by three primary factors:

The amount of current flowing through the body The path of the current through the body The length of time the body is in the circuit.

Other factors that may affect the severity Of shock are the: Frequency of the current; Phase of the heart cycle when shock occurs General health of the person.

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Shock & the Human Body

The effects of electric shockresistance,upon the depend type of circuit, its voltage, current,
pathway through the body, and duration of the contact.

Effects can range from a barely perceptible tingle to immediate cardiac arrest. There that showabsolute limits orfrom anyknown are no even values the exact injury given
current.

A difference of less than 100 mAperceptible and exists between a current that is barely
one that can kill.

Muscular the victim to caused by stimulation from contraction may not allow free himself or herself
the circuit, and the increased duration of exposure increases the dangers to the shock victim.

For example, a current of 100 mA for 3 seconds is equivalent to a current of 900 mA applied for0.03
seconds in causing ventricular fibrillation.

The so-called low voltages can be extremely

dangerous because, all other factors being equal, the degree of injury is proportional to the length of time the body is in the circuit.

LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT IMPLY LOW

HAZARD!

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 A severetoshock canthan is visible. more cause considerably damage the body For example, and destructionsuffer internal a person may hemorrhages of tissues,
nerves, and muscles.

In aaddition, shock is often only the beginning in chain of events. The final broken may well be from a fall, cuts, injury burns, or bones.

How Electricity Hurts People

Current Current
1 mA 1 mA 1-3 mA 1-3 mA 3-15 mA 3-15 mA 15-30 mA 15-30 mA 1530-75 mA 30-75 mA 3075-200 mA 75-200 mA 75200-300 mA 200- 300 mA 300+ mA 300+ mA

Impact on People Impact on People

no sensation no sensation sensation, no pain sensation, no pain pain, most people can get away pain, most people can get away pain, half of people freeze pain, half of people freeze pain, breathing difficult, asphyxiation pain, breathing difficult, asphyxiation possible ventricular fibrillation possible ventricular fibrillation certain ventricular fibrillation certain ventricular fibrillation severe burns, heart stops severe burns, heart stops

Burns & Other Injuries

The most common shock-related injury is a burn. Burns suffered in electrical accidents may be of three types: Electrical Arc Thermal contact

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 Electrical burns are the result of the electric current flowing through tissues or bone. Tissue damage is caused by the heat generated by the current flow through the body. Electrical burns are one of the most serious injuries you can receive and should be given immediate attention.

Arc or flash burns are the result of high temp. near the body and are produced by an electric arc or explosion. They should also be attended to promptly. Thermal contact burns are those experienced when the skin comes in contact with hot surfaces of overheated electric conductors, conduits, or other energized equipment.

Additionally, clothing may be ignited in an electrical accident and a thermal burn will result. All three types of burns may be produced simultaneously.

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Preventing Electrical Hazards

Electrical accidents appear to be caused by a combination of three possible factors: unsafe equipment and/or installation; workplaces made unsafe by the environment; and unsafe work practices. There are various ways of protecting people from the hazards caused by electricity. These include: insulation; guarding; grounding; electrical protective devices; and safe work practices.

Ohms Law of Electricity

Voltage is almost always a constant so electrical current levels are determined by the resistance to flow. When there is a potential for electrical shock we can protect ourselves by maximizing our resistance to current flow. This is done by wearing insulating shoes and gloves, and by not making direct contact with a source of ground potential such as plumbing or other sources of ground.

V=IR
V = electrical potential (volts) I = electrical current (amps) R = resistance (ohms)

Our skin provides us with a natural barrier or resistance of approximately 1,000 to 100,000 ohms depending on several factors including skin thickness and surface moisture.

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Effects of Electrical Shock on the Human Body

Perception Threshold Painful Shock 0.5% Painful Shock 99.5% Ventricular Fibrillation All Units are in milliamps Lower levels of AC than DC will produce painful shocks in humans while lower levels of DC than AC can lead to fibrillation of the heart muscle. Women are more sensitive to the effects of both AC and DC than are men. Direct Current Men Women 5.2 3.5 62 41 90 60 500 500 Alternating Men Women 1.1 0.7 9.0 6.0 23 15 675 675

Extension Cord Hazards

Extension cords are approved for temporary use only. If extended use is required, hard wiring such as a new outlet should be installed. Extension cords are easily frayed, a condition which may expose bare wires. If not properly placed, extension cords may also become a trip hazard.

Common Power Cord Problems

Exposed Wires

Power cords are doubly insulated and should be replaced if the outer layer of insulation becomes frayed exposing wires.

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Electrical Shock Hazards

Don Dont use equipment with damaged insulation

Short circuit
Shorts cause a great increase in the flow of current through the cord producing heat and perhaps initiating a fire.
Normal

Plug V = IR As resistance decreases, current increases.

Overloaded circuit
A B C D
Outlet or Power Strip

Overloads occur when more current flows through a cord than it is rated to handle. Power strips can be overloaded if too many high current draw devices are plugged in at one time.

Overloaded Circuit

Another common way in which power cords can be overloaded is by plugging one power strip into another. All of the current drawn by any device plugged into any of the strips must flow through a single cord

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Water and Electricity

Outlet without GFCI

Eyewashes should be located away from electrical devices and outlets. Outlets within six feet of a sink or other source of plumbing must be GFCI protected in order to minimize shock hazards. An unprotected outlet (non-GFCI) is illustrated above.

Typical Transformer

Transformers are potential sources of high voltage and may also contain polychlorinated biphenyls.

Working Safely with Electricity

Surge Suppressors and GFCIs Lock Out/Tag Out Safety Rules First Aid Fire Fighting

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Outlet Wire Color Conventions

Several different outlet wiring color conventions exist, but dont take anything for granted. It is always best to check rather than to assume that a wire is hot or neutral based upon the wire color. Typically the hot wire is black, the neutral or return wire is white, and the ground wire is green.

Function of a Typical GFCI

Switches
Hot Line In

GFCI Receptacle Current Sensor

Load

Neutral Line In

A GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter shuts off the flow of current upon sensing a fault condition such as an electrical shock. Switches quickly open in the GFCI device in order to prevent the shock victim from receiving a lethal amount of electricity.

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 A (GFCI) is an electrical device which protects personnel by detecting potentially hazardous ground faults and quickly disconnecting power from the circuit. Any amount of current above the level that may deliver a dangerous shock. Any current over 8 mA is considered potentially dangerous depending on the path the current takes, the amount of time exposed to the shock, and the physical condition of the person receiving the shock. Therefore, GFCls are required in such places as dwellings, hotels, motels, construction sites, marinas, receptacles near swimming pools and hot tubs, underwater lighting, fountains, and other areas in which a person may experience a ground fault.

A GFCI compares the amount of current in the ungrounded (hot) conductor with the amount of current in the neutral conductor. If the current in the neutral conductor becomes less than the current in the hot conductor, a ground fault condition exists. The amount of current that is missing is returned to the source by some path other than the intended path (fault current). A fault current as low as 4 mA to 6 mA activates the GFCI and interrupts the circuit. Once activated, the fault condition is cleared and the GFCI manually resets before power may be restored to the circuit

GFCI Use
Any outlet within 6 feet of a sink or other source of plumbing should be equipped with a GFCI. Recalling Ohms law, V=IR, very low resistances such as an earth ground (plumbing etc.) allow for very high levels of current flow.

Typical GFCI Outlet

Receptacles containing a GFCI are noted by the test and reset buttons, and should be tested monthly to insure proper operation.

GFCI device may be located at a circuit breaker instead of an outlet. This arrangement allows several outlets to be protected with a single GFCI device.

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Breaker locked in off position

Lock out/Tag out

To insure the safety of repair personnel, electrical panels and equipment with electrical panels must be locked out and equipment tagged out of service before any repairs are performed. The lock must never be removed from an electrical panel until repairs have been completed, and only then by an individual with the appropriate authority. Repairs must only be performed by trained professionals.

First Aid for Electrical Shock Victims

The most common symptom of electrical shock is physical shock. Signs of physical shock include: 1) Cold, clammy skin 2) Pale face 3) Chilled feeling or patient is physically shaking 4) Nausea or vomiting 5) Shallow breathing.

Approved Treatment for Physical Shock Patients

1) Keep patient lying down 2) Keep airway open 3) Elevate patients legs if no bones are broken 4) Keep patient warm if conditions are cool or damp 5) Give fluids if patient is able to swallow 6) Never give alcohol to patient 7) REASSURE the patient

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Test tag should be current

Electrical Fires
Dry chemical extinguishers (also know as ABC extinguishers) are approved for fighting electrical fires. The label indicates the type of extinguisher that is present. Electrical fires should only be fought if the situation is well in hand. If you feel uncomfortable fighting a fire, pull the alarm and exit the building.

ABC
Small Nozzle indicated on label

Safety-Related Work Practices

Protection of Employees Passageways and Open Spaces Lockout and Tagging of Circuits

Safety-Related Maintenance Practices

Maintenance of Equipment Environmental Deterioration of Equipment no conductors or equipment can be located: In damp or wet locations. Where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids Where exposed to excessive temperatures.

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Protection

Against Electrical Injuries

Using low (and safe) voltage Insulating and/or enclosing live parts. Preventing conducting parts not normally live from becoming live: by earthing and automatic disconnection of the supply . By double insulation . By separating the supply from earth By limiting electrical energy . Selecting equipment suitable for the environment in which it is to be used. Using equipment as defined in the makers instructions. Ensuring that electrical equipment is adequately maintained.

Preventing Electrical Hazards

These include: Insulation Guarding Grounding Electrical protective devices Safe work practices.

Grounding
To offer enhanced protection, an additional ground, called the "equipment ground," must be furnished by providing another path from the tool or machine through which the current can flow to the ground. This additional ground safeguards the electric equipment operator in the event that a malfunction causes any metal on the tool to become accidentally energized. The resulting heavy surge of current will then activate the circuit protection devices and open the circuit.

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Care of Cords & Equipment

Power tools and extension cords must be inspected each time they are used. They must be taken out of service immediately upon discovery of worn or broken insulation.

Care of Cords & Equipment

Electrical panel boxes must be secured and problems reported immediately. Junction boxes, outlets, receptacles, and switches must be closed and problems reported.

Care of Cords & Equipment

Electrical within five (5) feet of any water source must have GFCI protection. Covers must be in place at all times. No flammable chemicals or liquids can be stored near electrical or in electrical service rooms.

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Care of Cords & Equipment

Electric panels must be kept clear of any obstructions at all times. Storage is not allowed in electrical vault or service panel rooms. Find another place for storage of materials, products, etc.

Care of Cords & Equipment

If the power went out, and you needed to get to the electrical panel box breakers in this room, what could happen to you? Think about it carefully!

Electrical Safety In Action

Stay clear of bare exposed wiring

Keep covers in place and cords in good condition

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Electrical Safety In Action

Use GFCIs, They save lives!

Electrical Safety In Action

Never retouch any object or surface retouch from which you have received a surprise tingle or shock. The next time could be fatal.

Dont let anyone touch it. Don

Electrical Safety In Action

Protect the insulation of cables and cords. Never step on, drive over, pinch or crush cables or extension cords lying on the floor or ground.

Always inspect extension cords and cords on tools and appliances before plugging them in.

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Electrical Safety In Action

Stay away from

Power Lines
Overhead, Underground, or Downed

In Summary...
Stay clear of bare wires. Use GFCIs, they save lives! Never retouch anything that has given you a shock. Protect cord insulation. Stay clear of power lines.

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