Electric shock

[Jabbajaws]

Hi All, l have been pondering this in my head for absolutely ages and need an answer, if possible, to help me grasp this subject.

I understand that a person receives an electric shock when touching both a live conductor 230V, and an earth/neutral conductor 0V at the same time, because the live conductor is chasing 0V to continue the electrical path.

Now as far as im aware, a high enough current 80-100mA would cause a person's nerves to contract, with them not being able to let go.

Now if a person was to touch a live conductor, with no earth/neutral return path, would that person recieve an electrical shock? The person touches the live conductor of 230V, yet has themself a potential of 0V, so in theory, some electric current should be able to pass between these two points.

WOULD THIS CAUSE THE PERSON TO RECEIVE AN ELECTRIC SHOCK, AND 'THROW THEM OFF' AS THERE IS NO EARTH/NEUTRAL RETURN PATH?

ALSO WITH THE SAME PRINCIPLE, WHY DOES ELECTRIC SEPARATION PROTECT A PERSON WHEN THE LIVE CONDUCTOR IS 230V, YET THE PERSON IS 0V?

All feedback welcome ppl.. .

 

[pushrod]

So if a fault occurs on a Class 2 hand held appliance say from a frayed lead and the user is isolated from E an RCD is about as much use as chocolate condom ?

J

If there is no imbalance between current in L and N then no rcd trip, but as for your analogy... well i can imagine a use for a chocolate condom

 

[Guest55]

Yeah and he would die unhappy as he wouldn't be able to check if the rcd had held

Jimmy boy would be ramp tested into the afterlife lol.
next of kin can record the trip times :-D

 

[1shortcircuit]

This thread has been both interesting and very flipping amusing in places. I've had a right chuckle.

:thumbsup

 

[trev]

well i can imagine a use for a chocolate condom

They can be purchased mate, along with many other flavours

 

[Jimmy Boy]

What sizes ? Its got to be a 'Mega' for a sparky he he
J

 

[Adam W]

Wouldn't fancy trying that one out on a 45 amp 3036

No, me neither. Presumably in an 'extra conductive location' you would need a faster operating protective device, and probably a lower voltage.
I'm not sure what the point of an 'extra conductive location' would be apart from to demonstrate a point, which is probably why they're so rare.