Quote:
Originally Posted by init4fun
As long as you don't pass the current from one arm to the other (or an arm to a leg , or any other path that puts the current flow across the chest to affect the heart) most 110 volt shocks are harmless . Now if the current path IS arm to arm or any other "heart path" it can take as little as 100 milliamps to kill if someone has a weak heart or an unlucky day . That's the basis of the "one hand in your pocket" rule when working on any energized equipment , avoid the heart path and avoid the date with the grim reaper .
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Say it takes 100mA to kill, the thing about that is, that 100mA has to go through your heart. Most of the current flows through your skin, not your insides. I've been zapped with 120v arm to arm so many times I couldn't count. Also, time is also a factor. Getting shocked for a second is very different from a scenario where you can't let go and get shocked for a minute or more.
Of course we're also talking about high DC voltages as well as 120VAC... and capacitors that can discharge large amount of current in one go. There's a lot of different factors at play, but of course, the one hand in your pocket rule is always wise.