> On Thu, 15 Jul 1999 00:02:32 -0400, Jim <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Not to split hairs, but it is amperage that kills, not voltage. There have
> >been some statements in the past on this list about being careful when using
> >high voltage such as the 10000 volt systems. While it is very true one must
> >be careful, it is a bit misleading to link danger to voltage. Most people
> >are
> >killed with "safe" lower voltages, as there was not enough limitation to
> >amperage. A series of little batteries cannot create enough amperage to do
> >much harm, but a series of car batteries might get dangerous.
>
> Yeah, I think you're splitting hairs.
> I believe it's been told that 3 milliamps can fillibrate the heart and
> cause death. Certainly ten 9 volt batteries in series (90 volts) can
> push 3 ma thru the skin if wet.
> The point I was making is that in this era of transistorized an
> intergrated circuit equipment, one seldom runs across voltages higher
> than about 30v. You really have to be determined to get shocked with
> 30v so we tend to get real casual handling electronic circuits.
> A little above 30v (maybe 40v) you should be paying attention (or you
> WILL be paying attention). We were talking about a 100+v power supply,
> it WILL bite if you turn your back to it.
> You're right, probably won't kill you, been bit lots of times, but it
> CAN.
> Don't kid yourself about those dinky 9v batteries. Start snapping them
> together in series and wiping the free terminals across your tongue.
> How many before you're "bit"?
> Chuck
>
> Good judgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement.
>
The example you give is the exact reason why most electrical accidents are from
lower voltage sources. You call a 40 volt supply "little" and a 100v supply
potentially dangerous. I can assure you, the situation in which a 100 volt
supply
could kill is also a situation a 40v supply could kill. It is not the voltage,
it
is the amperage that harms.
Most people get smarter as the voltage number goes up out of respect for that
high
number. As far as that goes it is good. However, the corrollary is that most
people get dumber as the voltage number gets smaller, and that is how people get
into trouble. They are ill informed as to what kills or injures, voltage or
amperage. They get a false sense of security as they work with lower voltages.
That is how most people get injured or killed, not respecting the amperage.
I know your intentions were good in warning about the danger of playing around
with
electricity. I am not attacking that. However, when dealing with such a very
serious subject, a person needs to be warned using correct terminology. The way
electricity works is not a matter of opinion.
Jim
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