Other
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
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
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.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller dr.hiralshah1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £9.79. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
83662 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now