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Electrical Safety Awareness
- Module
- Physics
- Institution
- PEARSON (PEARSON)
Assignment title: AC/DC Learning aim: Examine AC and DC production and health and safety aspects in domestic and industrial applications
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Assignment title: AC/DCLearning aim: Examine AC and DC production and health and safety aspects in domestic and
industrial applications
Electrical Safety Awareness
Section 2 - Effects of AC and DC electricity on the human physiology
In the context of the dangers of working with electricity, use a diagram of the body to illustrate
specific points and supplementary notes to explain:
The typical resistance values or current pathways in the body. What are the implications of
this and is it different for AC compared to DC electricity?
The human body has varying resistance values for different pathways, such as skin, internal
organs, and tissues. The skin typically has higher resistance, while internal pathways have
lower resistance. The implications of this include potential variations in the distribution of
electric current in the body.
For both AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) electricity, the body's response
depends on factors like voltage, current magnitude, pathway through the body, and
duration of exposure.
, AC may pose additional risks due to its ability to cause muscle contractions, potentially
making it more hazardous at lower voltage levels compared to DC. However, the overall
dangers depend on the specific circumstances and individual factors.
In general, the effects of electric shock on the body involve unconscious muscle reactions,
potential injury to internal organs, and the risk of cardiac arrest.
Safety measures, including electrical insulation, grounding, and circuit protection devices,
are essential to minimize these risks in both AC and DC electrical systems.
The consequence of skin resistance in different conditions e.g. in contact with the ground,
when moist
Skin resistance plays a crucial role in determining the impact of electrical contact with the
body in different conditions:
Dry Skin:
Dry skin has a higher resistance, limiting the flow of electric current into the body.
Higher resistance means that less current can pass through the skin, reducing the potential
for injury during electrical contact.
Moist or Wet Conditions:
Moist or wet skin significantly decreases skin resistance, providing a lower resistance
pathway for electric current.
Lower resistance allows more current to flow through the skin, increasing the risk of electric
shock or injury.
Contact with the Ground:
When a person is in contact with the ground (grounded), the body can provide a pathway for
electric current to flow into the ground.
Grounding may help in dissipating electrical charge and minimizing the risk of injury,
especially if the electrical system is properly grounded.
Consequence of Low Skin Resistance:
Lower skin resistance increases the likelihood of electric current passing through vital tissues
and organs, potentially causing harm, such as burns, muscle contractions, or interference
with the heart's normal rhythm.
Implications for Safety:
Understanding the variations in skin resistance is crucial for designing safety measures, such
as the use of insulating materials, proper grounding, and the implementation of ground fault
circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in electrical systems.
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