Terry, your theory below is a common misconception. Jed is right that
(at equal current i.e. at equal voltage applied to the same
resistance) DC current is less dangerous, see for example
http://www.lovetools.ca/dl/electricalworkshop-handout.pdf :
Effect
DC(mA) AC (60Hz, mA) AC (10 kHz,mA)
Slight sensation on hand - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - 0.6 0.35
Perception threshold - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - 3.5 0.7 8
Shock--not painful, muscular control not lost - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - 6 1.2 11
Shock--painful, muscular control not lost - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - 41 6 37
Shock--painful, let-go threshold - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - 51 10.5 50
Shock--painful and severe, muscular contractions, breathing difficult
60 15 63
Shock--possible ventricular fibrillation effect from 3-second shocks -
500 100
Michel
2009/1/19 Terry Blanton <[email protected]>:
> On Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 4:50 PM, Jed Rothwell <[email protected]> wrote:
>> AC is
>> more dangerous than DC.
>
> Not always. If you have ever been shocked by house current, you feel
> a 120 Hz pulse as the voltage passes through zero twice per cycle. At
> any of these points, you can actually let go since your muscles cease
> to contract.
>
> With the application of the same DC voltage, you will hold on forever.
