Electric shock

[Hobsoni]

What's the worst electric shock you have received?

 

[Adam]

and would not moisture content of skin
(refer to #22) not dictate the ohmic value Adam?...

Yes, I know there are many factors that dictate the magnitude of the shock.

No two shocks are the same.

I have had tingles (short shock through fingers) off small circuits, and bus bars within DB's (100A+) which feel no different. The path the current takes can make a shock feel much worse (and be more dangerous). I've experienced hand to hand, and would never want to feel that again.

 

[Hobsoni]

Yeah what about if the conductor pierced a couple of cm into the flesh............ hows 40 ohms looking now?

;0

 

[sparks1973]

Yes, I know there are many factors that dictate the magnitude of the shock.

No two shocks are the same.

I have had tingles (short shock through fingers) off small circuits, and bus bars within DB's (100A+) which feel no different. The path the current takes can make a shock feel much worse (and be more dangerous). I've experienced hand to hand, and would never want to feel that again.

agreed...hense my dim view of holding 2 conductors similtaniously...whether safe iso has been acheaved..or not....
good n bad habits....
its just that some will kill ya...

 

[Adam]

Yeah what about if the conductor pierced a couple of cm into the flesh............ hows 40 ohms looking now?

;0

I have no idea, and not interested in finding out, lol.

Although, you may need the return path to also penetrate a couple of cm.

Im sure the conductor alone (if from a large supply) is going to hurt enough if it penetrates a couple of cm without being energised.

 

[Carnegstar]

My worst shock was when second fixing an installation that had been started by another company.

I went to strip a T&E (incorrect way, I know, but we all do it) by cutting end and pulling the cpc. Live and neutral in one hand, cutters and cpc's in other. Nice 240v shock across my chest. Worst sensation ever, and was difficult to let go.

It seemed to last forever, although was probably only a short time. Me and my cutters went flying across the room once I managed to let go.

I have had little tingles accross one hand, but always make a point of keeping one hand clear when working near live equipment.

Ive done this stupidly. but it was a blind spot for me and melted plier tips

 

[sparks1973]

I have no idea, and not interested in finding out, lol.

Although, you may need the return path to also penetrate a couple of cm.

Im sure the conductor alone (if from a large supply) is going to hurt enough if it penetrates a couple of cm without being energised.

look Adam....you CANT cut down the potential like this....(don`t forget we work on worst case scenareos here)....so why a return path?....come on mate...where does current want to go?...

 

[Adam]

look Adam....you CANT cut down the potential like this....(don`t forget we work on worst case scenareos here)....so why a return path?

Without a return path, there is no circuit. If there is no circuit, there is no shock. I'm not necessarily refering to a return path to the DB / circuit.

I have never received a shock that has gone through my feet. It has always been through a short distance of my body. In my early days, I have accidentally touched live parts without realising without receiving a shock. The resistance through my body and boots was too high for a noticiable amount of current to flow.

you mention worst case scenario:

It only takes 50mA to be fatal, so why is a 100A supply any more dangerous than a 6A?
Why does the 6A MCB never operate?

Come to think of it, I have never operated a 30mA RCD.

 

[cogsey133]

Just to put things into perspective. A good mate of mine is still getting medical treatment for a shock he received 6 years ago! How he wasn't killed i still dont understand but the shock across his chest caused damage to his heart and his brain......another time another place maybe it wouldn't have caused so much damage!

 

[clematis432]

Just to put things into perspective. A good mate of mine is still getting medical treatment for a shock he received 6 years ago! How he wasn't killed i still dont understand but the shock across his chest caused damage to his heart and his brain......another time another place maybe it wouldn't have caused so much damage!

Good post and humbling, it could have been any of us on this forum. And we,re debating the theory of how we get a shock !!
As said earlier, NOBODY can be precise about the amount of energy (power x time) and circumstance that would be fatal.

 

[drew35]

Its not funny!!!

But one day my work "mates" (we were working on a farm) connected my mobile van vault (left on site) to an electric fence generator. The first hit I thought was static, it was sitting next to a washing machine? The second shock and I knew something was up, that's when I found a crocodile clip on the back of the box, and the unit outside connected to an earth stake. Set to maximum current, and minimum time.

I got revenge on them individually.
1. Buried their toolbox in already excavated ground for footings using a digger, then left them a spade and a treasure map.
2. Fooled them into thinking their precious van was on fire using a smoke pellet, after hiding all fire extinguishers and even the hose.
3. Set up a remote air horn inside their van and waited for them to have their lunch hour kip.

To sum up, anybody that messes with me regrets it!

 

[clematis432]

Its not funny!!!

But one day my work "mates" (we were working on a farm) connected my mobile van vault (left on site) to an electric fence generator. The first hit I thought was static, it was sitting next to a washing machine? The second shock and I knew something was up, that's when I found a crocodile clip on the back of the box, and the unit outside connected to an earth stake. Set to maximum current, and minimum time.

I got revenge on them individually.
1. Buried their toolbox in already excavated ground for footings using a digger, then left them a spade and a treasure map.
2. Fooled them into thinking their precious van was on fire using a smoke pellet, after hiding all fire extinguishers and even the hose.
3. Set up a remote air horn inside their van and waited for them to have their lunch hour kip.

To sum up, anybody that messes with me regrets it!

Right first time, NOT FUNNY