Shock hazard

Definition

A shock hazard occurs when electrical current passes through a person's body, potentially causing injury or death. It is often the result of direct contact with live wires or faulty electrical devices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Shock hazards can cause severe burns, cardiac arrest, and muscle contractions.
2. The severity of an electric shock is influenced by the current's magnitude, the path it takes through the body, and the duration of exposure.
3. Current above 10 milliamperes (mA) can cause painful to severe shocks; above 100 mA can be fatal.
4. Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are safety devices designed to protect against shock hazards by quickly cutting off power when a ground fault is detected.
5. Wet conditions increase the risk of shock hazards because water reduces skin resistance and allows more current to flow through the body.

Review Questions

Related terms

Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI): A device that protects against electrical shocks by breaking a circuit when it detects an imbalance between incoming and outgoing current.

Resistance:

$$R = \frac{V}{I}$$ measures how much a material opposes the flow of electric current.

Ohm's Law:

$$V = IR$$ describes the relationship between voltage ($$V$$), current ($$I$$), and resistance ($$R$$).