For electricity to have an effect on the human body:

 An electrical potential difference must be present

 The individual must be part of the electrical circuit, that is, a
current must enter the body at one point and leave it at another.

However, what causes the physiological effect is
NOT voltage, but rather CURRENT.
 A high voltage applied over a large impedance (rough skin) may
not cause much (any) damage
 A low voltage applied over very small impedances (heart tissue)
may cause (ventricular fibrillation)

The magnitude of the current is simply the applied
voltage divided by the total effective impedance

The Effects of electric current on human
body depend on many factors such as:
 Current Magnitude:
1. Depends on

voltage,

Frequency

& body impedance.

2. Effects of current magnitude on human body;

Electric Shock (small current) – effect on muscles

Electrocution (large current)– ventricular fibrillation

Burns – external and internal.

 Duration of current flow:

1. The longer the duration, the smaller the current at
which ventricular fibrillation occurs.
2. Affects extent of damage.
3. I2Rt..Specific energy effect.
  Current path through the body
Less severe when nerve centers and vital organs not involved.
 (Points of Entry):
Effect of entry points on current distribution (a) Macroshock, externally applied
current spreads through-out the body. (b) Microshock, all the current applied through
an intracardiac catheter flows through the heart.

Electrical shock involves electrical stimulation of tissue and its effects range from
a tingling sensation to violent reaction of muscles tetanus to ventricular fibrillation

Macroshock : externally applied current spread throughout the body ( min.

value for safe 0.5 mA)
OR

Macroshock : a high value current level(mA) which passes arm to arm
throughout the body by (skin) contact with a voltage source

Microshock : a low level current (µA) which passes directly through the heart
via a needle or catheter (bad effect > 10 µA)