Electricity Shock

What is Electric Shock?

Electric shock is a reflex response of the body when an electric current passes through it. This occurs when electricity flows through the human body, resulting in effects ranging from mild tingling to fatal injuries.

This electricity shock can be fatal if the current ranges from 1 to 2 amperes with an impressed voltage between 500 and 1000 volts. However, its severity depends on the physical condition of the person at the time — such as if they are wet, barefoot, or grounded.

Factors affecting the severity of an electric shock include the wetness of the skin, area and duration of contact, resistance of the body, constitution of the person, and grounding condition. Effects may range from tingling to burns, ventricular fibrillation, and death.

How Does Electric Shock Occur?

An electric shock occurs when the human body makes direct or indirect contact with a live electric wire and simultaneously completes the circuit to the ground.

Electricity always flows to the ground and takes the path of least resistance. Good conductors like metals and water offer easy paths — and since the human body contains a high percentage of water, it is also a good conductor.

Even indirect contact, such as touching a metallic ladder connected to a live wire, can complete the circuit and result in a shock.

Birds on high-voltage wires do not receive shocks because they are not grounded — both feet are at the same voltage. A person insulated from the ground, such as wearing rubber shoes, may also avoid shock even at 220V if no return path is available.

Effects of Electric Shock

The severity of electric shock is determined by the electric current flowing through the body. This current is governed by the applied voltage and body resistance.

For example, a dry body with 100,000Ω resistance at 220V results in ~2.2 mA — which only causes tingling. A wet body with 1,000Ω resistance would experience ~220 mA — potentially lethal due to ventricular fibrillation.

Thus, whether 220V causes harm depends entirely on the body's condition and resistance at the moment of contact.

• 1 mA – Tingling sensation
• 10–20 mA – 'Can't let go' current due to muscle contraction
• 100–300 mA – Ventricular fibrillation, often fatal
• >300 mA – Potential burns, respiratory arrest or death

Current, Voltage, and Resistance

The electric current (in amperes) is the main determinant of the physiological effects of electric shock. The formula is: Current (I) = Voltage (V) / Resistance (R).

Case 1: Dry skin (100,000Ω): I = 220V / 100,000Ω = 0.0022A = 2.2 mA (tingling).

Case 2: Wet skin (1,000Ω): I = 220V / 1,000Ω = 0.22A = 220 mA (possibly fatal).

Inference: The severity of a shock depends not just on voltage but the path and resistance involved. Hence, voltage is the cause, but current is what does the actual damage.

FAQ

Q: What causes electric shock in the human body — voltage or current?

A: Voltage is the cause; current is what does the damage. Current flows due to the applied voltage. The actual physiological harm comes from the amount of current flowing through the body.

First Aid

1. Ensure your own safety – disconnect the power source if possible.
2. Do not touch the victim if they are still in contact with electricity.
3. Call emergency services immediately.
4. If the victim is unresponsive or not breathing, start CPR immediately:
5. → Lock your elbows, keep arms straight, and position shoulders directly over hands.
6. → Compress the chest (4–5 cm for adults; 2.5–4 cm for children aged 1–14).
7. → Perform 15 chest compressions at a rate of 80–100 per minute.
8. → Alternate 15 compressions with 2 rescue breaths.
9. → Continue CPR until professional help arrives or the victim recovers.

Shock Table