Something I don't get, question for electrical experts

[Kruno]

According to Ramsey, "The high voltage...won't electrocute you, so it's relatively safe, but it can burn you! So use caution when the power is on!"

I thought only current can burn/electrocute you?

[Phyre]

Current can burn, but voltage and push the hell out of stuff. Current is kinda like the flow of lava. Voltage is sorta like the force of gravity that moves it. So, with high voltage (with enough current), you can have burning and parts getting blown off.

Kinda neat, huh?

If my analogy is off, make it mo betta.

Phyre

[de><ta]

Are you talking about placing a huge pd across a human body?
Lets see V=IR,

the coefficient of resistivity for the human skin and the human bone is the lowest.
Hence the current flowing through them will be a lot more, TADA so you end up with second or third degree burns on your skin and depending on where the pd is placed across, you even can get benign lukemia (i think from my pre-med days it is across the chest cavity where the bones have yellow type marrow, oh if you place a pd across your chest you get ventricular defibrillation too).

Ask Chalnoth he is the resident physics dude here, me simply a computer engineer.:D

[Phyre]

If I remember correctly, the breakdown voltage of air is about 10,000 Volts/inch. So, that .25 inch of spark from rubbing your feet on the carpet and getting close to the doorknob is about 2,500 Volts. But, like I said, it's been awhile since I've heard the specifics on the breakdown voltage, so I might be off a little bit.

Phyre

[Kruno]

resistivity for the human skin and the human bone is the lowest.

We would not be conductors if something else is there that has lower resistance right?

What I find intresting is that we have low resistance. I thought we would be more of an insulator than a conductor. :)
:eek:

Thanks guys.

[PsychoSy]

It's not always the volts that'll ruin your day.
It's the AMPs that count!!

I once got smoked really good plugging in the Maytag drier while I just came out of the shower. My hand slipped and my finger hit the positive prong. If my memory is correct, those triangular 3-pronged outlets are 550 volts but the AMPs was enough to make me see stars for a while. :eek:

Didn't need to smoke a blunt on that day!
I was naturally fried! :p

[Kruno]

Originally posted by PsychoSy
It's not always the volts that'll ruin your day.
It's the AMPs that count!!

I once got smoked really good plugging in the Maytag drier while I just came out of the shower. My hand slipped and my finger hit the positive prong. If my memory is correct, those triangular 3-pronged outlets are 550 volts but the AMPs was enough to make me see stars for a while. :eek:

Didn't need to smoke a blunt on that day!
I was naturally fried! :p

*does the coughing hmgh hmm* Amps = Current. :)

BTW how does it feel to be electrocuted?

[PsychoSy]

Feels just a great as having a hatchet go right through your face. :D

[Kruno]

Originally posted by PsychoSy
Feels just a great as having a hatchet go right through your face. :D

I can imagine that. :)
You have any ideas of which appliance I can electrocute myself with safely? ;)

[vampireuk]

I remember waking up one morning and reaching for the lamp while i was half asleep. I ended up feeling like someone was pushing my arm away violent after the third time I leaped out of the bed turned the light on, there was no bulb in the lamp and i was touching the connectors and getting shocked:rolleyes: :D

[ALobpreis]

Originally posted by vampireuk
I remember waking up one morning and reaching for the lamp while i was half asleep. I ended up feeling like someone was pushing my arm away violent after the third time I leaped out of the bed turned the light on, there was no bulb in the lamp and i was touching the connectors and getting shocked:rolleyes: :D

:D :D LOL@U :p

I think the body has a quite high resistance! Measure yourself with a ohmmeter or multimeter... How many ohms do you get?

BTW, you can with only 100 mA, but survive 1000 volts. :cool: (Not the nV member!)

[deejaya]

Hmmm being an electrician I've exposed myself to numerous shocks over the course of time. Included in these is holding spark plugs from a motor bike while someone turns it over (10,000+ volts), and quite a few mains shocks. Usually when I'm rushing and forget to knock the power off when wiring lighting circuits, there is a big difference between the two - high voltage goes through your whole body in fast 'blips', and mains is a nasty slow shocking 'buzz' type shock. I don't recommend touching any live mains electrics :)

[vampireuk]

Originally posted by ALobpreis
:D :D LOL@U :p

I think the body has a quite high resistance! Measure yourself with a ohmmeter or multimeter... How many ohms do you get?

BTW, you can with only 100 mA, but survive 1000 volts. :cool: (Not the nV member!)

I'll give it a try sometime :D