CHAPTER-1

ELECTRICAL SHOCKS AND PREVENTION

Objectives: The objectives of this chapter are to:

 Understand the various health effects related to shock

 Learn about the methods to prevent shock

 Identify the hazards associated with electric shock

INTRODUCTION: The electricity is now being used in domestic, commercial, industrial,

hospitals and everywhere. Now the world has attained a condition where its majority of

the actions take place with the aid of electricity. Though it has become a vital part of our

day today life, it poses huge danger along with its purpose. The critical characteristics

of electricity which makes it even more danger are being invisible, odorless, but only its

presence can be felt with its effects on equipment, human or anything else.

The particularities of electricity are

▪ Good Servant but a Bad Master

▪ Invisible and Invincible

▪ Travels with speed of light

▪ Even a small disturbance can develop a catastrophe

Like approaches carried out for any other workplace safety and health concerns, one

must follow the similar approach systematically to deal with electrical safety. It cannot

be ignored or by passed as if electric current exposed to the resultant can be lethal

anywhere. Any electrical systems have the inherent hazards.

EFFECTS OF ELECTRICITY: there are several effects of electricity. The major effects

of electricity are

 Heating effect: Electricity or electric current is the flow electrons. When an electric
current flows through a conductor it produces. The conversion of electrical energy into

heat energy when an electric current flows passes through a conductor is called heating

effect. This heat energy converted by heating effect is utilized for ironing the clothes,

heating the water, etc.,

It can be expressed by Q= I2RT

Where, I is the flow of current measured in Amperes, A

R is the resistance measured in Ohms

T is the time taken measured in sec.

 Chemical effect: As the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy takes

place in an electric cell the opposite conversion is also achievable. That is some

chemical reactions can be produced by using electrical energy because there are few

chemicals that allow the electric current to pass through them in their molten state.

copper sulphate solution, sulphuric acid, etc., are few examples.

 Mechanical effect: The mechanical effect of an electricity is that when a charge

in motion or a conductor that carries a current is kept in magnetic field it experiences a

mechanical force. The magnitude of a mechanical force is

F= BqV sinØ,

B- field of induction,

V- speed,

Ø- angle

q- charge

 Magnetic effect: An experiment conducted by Oersted in 1820, depicted the

magnetic effect of electricity. He then stated that a magnetic field is created around a

conductor and this effect is as magnetic effect of electricity,. The devices that function

with the help of this magnetic effect of electricity are ammeter, voltmeter, etc., The

magnetic field’s direction because of electricity are given by right-hand clasp rule,
Maxwell’s cork screw rule and Ampere’s swimming rule.

HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY: The primary hazards associated with electricity and its

uses are:

A. SHOCK. “SUDDEN AND ACCIDENTAL STIMULATION OF BODY’S CENTRAL NERVOUS

SYSTEM FOR THE PASSAGE OF EXTERNAL ELECTRIC CURRENT”

Shock occurs when human body forms a part of conducting path or influence of electric

field. It may directly/indirectly cause death/injury.

o Direct: Direct passage of current through human body causes major effects due

to its’ thermal-burns, chemical-de-coloring of skin and/or physiological-increased rate

of respiration, effects. Alternating Currents (AC) of power frequency (50-60Hz) of

magnitude 30mA can result in death by ventricular fibrillation.

o Indirect: Due to electro-magnetic/static induction, if a person got electrified,

without any direct physical contact with equipment/ conducting path, which may either

lead to electrocution (death/fatality due to electric shock)

B. BURNS: Pertains to thermal effects of electrical energy imposed on body in the

form of arc flashes/direct passages of currents. The damage caused would be

irreversible and sometimes may cause fatality in case vital organs are involved.

C. ARC-BLAST: Arc-flashes/blasts occur from passage of huge currents arcing

through air. This abnormal current flow is initiated by contact between two live points.

“IT’S THE LIGHTENING IN A BOX” that releases heat, radiation and intense pressure/blast

wave. This actually is “arc flash accompanied by explosion” due to high over-pressure

built-up inside an equipment caused due to Contact can be caused by employee or

tool-accidentally bridging those live parts while working, or by equipment failure due

to overload or short circuit. Temperatures as high as 4-5 times of surface temperature

of sun been recorded in arc-blast research. The three primary hazards associated
 with an arc- blast are:

 Thermal Radiation: Due to immense heat energy(temperature of approx.

35000oC) liberation, arc flash causes 3rd degree burn often go fatal. Acc.to

NFPA, 80% of death tolls in electrical accidents are due to arc-flashes, in

which burns take the major share. Thermal energy of arc flash incidental on

a distant point per unit area- known as “Incident Energy”, normally is the

measure of damage potential of heat. As human skin 2 nd degree burn

threshold was found to be 1.2cal/cm 2as per NFPA70E and IEEE1584-2, the

following common provisions mandated by various country legislations:

• Avoiding live line work as far as possible

• In case, if hot/live line work’s to be done, appropriate training,

license and permit are required along with PPEs of sufficient

capacity for an authorized person(s)

• Proper energy “Lock Out” provisions

• Keeping safe distances from live equipment, etc.,

 Pressure Wave and Projectiles: Due to instantaneous melting/vaporization

of contact materials, enormous pressure built-up occurs in case of enclosed

equipment such as switch gear enclosed in a box/container, etc. and leads to

explosion that carries projectiles of debris, molten metal etc. it’s proved that arc

flash/blast can injure a person standing/working @ 60ft. off the equipment and

can exert a force of 480lbs. on a person @ 2ft. distance. Thus precautions as

discussed in previous section (ref.-Thermal Radiation), careful selection of

electrical equipment with special schemes such as explosion proof of protection

particularly in areas susceptible to explosive environments.

 EXPLOSIONS & FIRES: Electricity is a very good source of ignition. It can ignite

explosive atmosphere in 2 ways: by sparking/arcing and/or continuous heat dissipation.

Historically explosions in mine in the early days of industrialization were due to

overheating/ loading of electrical equipment. Also, high powered equipment has innate

ability to cause explosions followed by arc flashes, short/open circuit faults. Safety

precautions as stated in case of arc blast are to be taken, along with the following:

• The surface temperature of electrical equipment must be controlled, in such

a way that it can’t ignite the explosive mixtures in hostile environments

• The sparks/arcs must be anticipated by design or at least must be suppressed

by incorporation of non-sparking, pressurization or any other means

• Fast acting protective devices must be installed to detect and de-energize in

case of abnormal/fault conditions.

• Installation of proper surge absorption devices

ELECTRICAL SHOCK: Being invisible energy with light speed of travel, electricity

poses immense dangers prevention/protection from which needs proper awareness and

training. The commonest of all hazards posed by electric energy is shock. Statistics

show that every year, the fatalities due to electricity have a large share in total death

tolls. Hence, it has been mandated by several codes/standards/acts for safe handling of

such energy.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SHOCKS: Primary shock is an electric shock of such a

magnitude that it may produce direct physiological harm. The results of primary shocks

are:

- Fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)

- Respiratory tetanus (continuous contraction ofmuscle)

Secondary shock occurs due to abrupt reflex to passage/influence of electricity, sometimes

may cause fall from height and thus result in injury/death, even if the magnitude of

current is less than threshold.

OCCURRENCE OF ELECTRIC SHOCK: Electric current flow through human body is essential

for producing shock. Shock may occur in one or more of the following situations:

1. Direct Contact: when person comes in contact with any live wire and earth/neutral

body at a time, or by touching two or more live wires of different potentials with or without

contact of earth

2. In-direct Contact: When person comes under the influence of electric field (Ex:

person standing/working near to any energized power line lying on ground) can be

electrocuted by potential difference between across his feet (commonly known as step

potential). This kind of incidents are normally observed in construction sector, where

cranes and other material handling equipment working in the vicinity of powered OH/UG

lines. Another possibility of indirect attack is by arc flash near to working area of

personnel.

CONSEQUENCES OF ELECTRIC SHOCK: the effects of electric shock are burns,

neurological effects and effect on the chest. Apart from shock can throw the person and

hence it has fall hazard too.

Burns: Burns are the primary effects of an electric shock. Different intensities of electric

gives different levels of burns from superficial burns for lower intensity to internal organs

burns at very high voltage.

Neurological effects: Normally an electric shock impacts the neurological system of humans.

It interferes with the nervous control of heart and lungs. Neuropathy is also a reason for death

due to continuous electric shocks. Loss of consciousness happens at a greater speed if the path

of current in the body is from top.

Effects on chest: Even a small amount of electric current in the range of 30 mA to 75

mA of %0 to 60 Hz can cause ventricular fibrillation if it passes through the chest. If

affected person is not given defibrillation without delay it can result in fatal.

The effects of electric shock on the affect person are,

 Person collapsing

 Fractures, unconsciousness or dislocation of joints due to rigorous contractions of

muscle

 The heart may function improperly or stop functioning and paralysis of respiratory

tract system

 Electric shock of high voltage can cause tissues death at the path of current.

 There will a malfunction or disturbances in the vitals of body.

CAUSES OF ELECTRIC SHOCK:

There are various conditions that may cause electric shock. They are as follows,

 Loose connection in the wiring

 Any fault in the electrical system

 Over current and over voltage

 Arc flash.

Any electrical system or equipment that is free from the above conditions is an ideal

condition to work with reduced threat of electric shock.

GOVERNING FACTORS OF ELECTRIC SHOCK:As mentioned earlier, the

shock intensity is affected directly or indirectly by many factors such as magnitude of

current, path of current, voltage available at the instant, etc., and it’s important to know

those ‘Governing Factors’ to ‘Prevent/Control’ shock. Here’s the list of those:

1. Personal Factors

2. System Factors

3. Situational Factors

Personal factors are the characteristics of person that affect the shock intensity, ‘System

Factors’ are characteristics of supply system and ‘Situational’ depends on the time and

environment of shock occurrence. System and situational factors seems obvious

whereas personal factors have some ambiguity. How the ‘age’, ‘gender’, ‘Immunity’

affect the intensity of shock? - well this is answered by international standard IEC 60479.

However, it denies the relation of second factor- “Gender” with shock intensity, in

contrast to many authors hypothetic opinion in late 80’s.

1. Personal Factors: Are given as follows:

 Age: As per IEC 60479 part I, bio impedance of children and young (adolescent)

people is less than that of Adults.

 Gender: Some authors argue that female is having lower bio-impedance value

compared to male. However this argument was denied by IEC

2. System Factors: Are given as below:

a) Voltage:

• Nominal/Rated Voltage- The rated voltage of equipment/system, higher the

voltage higher is the risk. However, the contrast of this statement is not at all true.

• Contact Potential- Potential difference between the point of contact and

immediate ground point. Higher the touch potential, higher the risk of shock.

• Step Potential: Potential difference between two feet/steps when standing in the

influence of electric field, for example in case of overhead (live) lines hanging below

the clearance level or hanging/laying on ground electrifies the surrounding. If a

person under the influence of such surroundings try to move/walk will get electrified.

CLASSIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT BASED ON VOLTAGE: As discussed earlier, high

voltage poses definite health risks and thus the design, installation and operation of

electrical equipment must be according to its rated voltage.

Any electrical equipment can be categorized in one of the following three types based

on their rated voltage.

  Low voltage -up to 250V (I phase)

 Medium voltage -250 to 650V (3 Phase Industrial use)

 High voltage -650-33kV

 Extra-high voltage - >33kV industrial substations

MYTH ABOUT VOLTAGE AND CURRENT:

‘IT’S NOT THE VOLTS BUT AMPS THAT KILLS YOU’: Voltage, current, resistance and duration

of flow are the fundamental factors that decide the magnitude of damage, directly or

indirectly. ‘Voltage’ is “The driving force that drives current flow across a path”. ‘Current’

(amperage) is “the quantum of electric charge flow per unit time”. Resistance denotes

the electrical energy loss.

As opposed by famous myth-” LOWER THE VOLTAGE-LOWER WILL BE THE RISK”, the damage

is directly related to the amount of current flow through the body. However, “HIGHER THE

VOLTAGE, THE GREATER THE AMOUNT OF CURRENT”, but “LOW VOLTAGE CAN’T BE TRUSTED AS

SAFE”. Some people survived shocks of several thousand volts, while others have been

killed by voltages as low as 12V. For example, house hold 12V inverter battery/

automobile battery may give as fatal shock as any 230V equipment. The magnitude of

current depends on amount of voltage imposed and ‘Resistance’ offered by the ‘Path of

Flow’ of current. The dry outer skin of the human body offers extremely high resistance

to electrical flow. However, this resistance is reduced by several times when the skin is

wet, especially if the skin is wet because of perspiration (IEC 60479-1).

b) MAGNITUDE OF CURRENT: Magnitude of current has direct relation with

intensity of shock.

• Currents as low as 30ma can cause fatality

• Effects due to low currents(of few mA range) are sever(ref- table) than high

currents (few amps)

  In case of low currents, the CNS gets affected, which brings in physiological

strains such as respiratory failure/paralysis, heart failure etc.,

 In contrast, high currents involve thermal effects predominantly and mainly

causes third degree burns

EFFECT OF MAGNITUDE OF SHOCKS: The severity of the shock received when a person

becomes a part of an electric circuit is affected by three primary factors: The amount of

current flowing through the body (measured in amperes), the path followed by current

through body and duration of shock. The following table gives the magnitude of current

and their effects:

Magnitude of current,50 Hz- Effect

60Hz RMS value

Below 1 milliamps Not perceptible
1 mA Perception Threshold, mild sensation
1 mA to less than 10 mA Painful sensation
10 mA to less than 30 mA Cannot ‘Let-Go’ after 10mA and muscular

coordination lost
30 mA Respiratory Paralysis (Frequently fatal)

75 mA Fibrillation can be caused for few 10’s of seconds

exposure (probably fatal), Heart Action disco-

250 mA Fibrillation
ordinated threshold-99.5% (< 5sec. exposure)
4A Heart Paralysis Threshold- beyond which

ventricular fibrillation doesn’t occur. Heart stops

> 5A for duration

Non-fatal of vital
unless current flow,
organs are may restart
involved. on
Tissue
interruption
burning- may ofcause
currentsevere burns

c) Rate of Rise of Current:

• Due to faults/transients in system impulsive current strikes the contacts micro-time

interval, which amounts up to 3-7 times of rated current

 • Thus causes immense effect, sometimes end-up in arc flash and thus must be

taken care

d) Frequency

• How AC affects the body depends largely on frequency

• Low-frequency (50- to 60-Hz) AC is used in US (60 Hz) and European (50 Hz)

households; it can be more dangerous than high-frequency AC and is 3 to 5 times more

dangerous than DC of the same voltage and amperage

• Low-frequency AC produces extended muscle contraction (tetany), which may freeze

the hand to the current’s source, prolonging exposure. DC is most likely to cause a

single convulsive contraction, which often forces the victim away from the current’s

source

• At very high frequencies, the body may not feel the shock, but the tissues are sure to

get damaged. This phenomenon is the skin effect, where the self-inductance of a

conductor causes a radially increasing (outward) impedance to current flow

to alternating current (as implied by the term, high frequency). The phenomenon

causes the current to flow through the outer layers, and thus avoid the nerves and inner

organs of the body

3. Situational Factors:

a) WET/ DRY: The skin impedance lowers by 100-1000 times in wet conditions

compared to dry conditions

b) PARTS INVOLVED: Body Parts Involved- If the path includes vital organs,

the effect will be fatal

c) DURATION: with extension of shock duration, the skin resistance and so

impedance severely falls

d) PATH FOLLOWED BY CURRENT:

1. Despite the nature of supply, current’s amplitude largely depends on

 path and frequency

2. what’s the path of the current-longitudinal or transverse (through or

across the body)

3. whether incl. the vital organs of the body or not, like if heart

encounters in the path of current, it mostly ends-up with fibrillation

PREVENTION AND PROTECTION FROM ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

PREVENTION OF SHOCKS: Electrical safety is necessary both at home and at work.

Following these tips will ensure a safe environment:

 Equipment enclosures and metal bodies must be earthed

 Current carrying conductors must be insulated properly

 Bare parts carrying electricity must be isolated to avoid human contact

 Proper clearances must be maintained from high energy parts/equipment

 Personnel Protective Equipment of sufficient capacity (insulation resistance

and thermal resistance) must be used by working personnel

 As far as possible, live line work must be avoided and standard procedures

are to be developed and followed to lockout such devices

 Personnel must be authorized and trained to carry out any routine/non-

routine jobs

 Identify/Repair or replace damaged appliances, wiring, cords, and plugs

(repairs should be attempted only by people with proper training)

 As per factories act, appropriate cutout devices must be installed and

maintained in such a place accessible to authorized employee

 Over current/voltage and surge protection must be given to equipment

to avoid hazards due to equipment fatigue

PROTECTIVE DEVICES: The various protection devices installed in an electrical

system or equipment to prevent from electric shock are as follows:

 Over Current protection devices

o Fuses: A metal wire/link that ‘Melts/Fuses’ whilst the occurrence of

overload/over-current and protects the device to which it has been connected.

Following are the types of fuses:

 High voltage fuse

o Cartridge type fuse

o Liquid type fuse

o Metal cloud fuse

 Low voltage fuse

o Replaceable fuse

o Link/cartridge fuse

o High rupturing capacity fuse

o Circuit breakers: Those have higher capacity and reliability than fuses, and

can separate equipment under any circumstances (load/no-load/fault). The

following are the various types of breakers used in day-to-day life:

o MCCB- Molded case circuit breaker

o MCB- Miniature circuit breaker

o Leakage protection devices: As discussed earlier, currents of even very low

magnitude can cause fatality to human life. Thus, it’s important to prevent and/or

detect and mitigate the risks due to leakage currents. The devices used for such

purposes are leakage protection devices. Here’s the list of few such devices:

 ELCB- is a leakage protection device that detects any leakage

current flowing through earthed path. These are the types of

 ELCBs:

 Voltage type ELCB- Earth leakage circuit breaker

 Current type ELCB-

 RCCB/RCD- residual current circuit breaker

 GFCI-Ground fault current interrupter

INSULATION: A process of providing an outer sheath or cover to the current

carrying wire or any part in order to prevent direct contact with the current carrying

part by any other foreign body so that short circuit, electric shock can be avoided.

What’s an Insulator?: a material which restricts the flow of current at normal

temperature no material is a perfect insulator; it becomes a conductor at particular

temperature.

Classes of Insulation: Classification of insulator based on the temperature

capability of insulation material

Class Y A E B F H C

Temperature .C 90 105 120 130 155 160 180

Class Materials

Y Cotton, Silk, and Paper with impregnation

A Cotton, Silk, Paper, Certain Synthetic Films,

Varnish and Synthetic resins are used as binders

E Mica, Glass fibres, etc., with suitable bond varnish

B Mica, Glass fibres, Asbestos and synthetic film

 F Same as class B and with binder for higher
temperature.
H Silicon, Elastometer, lass fibres Asbestos

C Mica, Glass fibres, Porcelain, Quartz, similar in

organic materials.

INSULATION USED FOR TRANSFORMERS: Paper Board, or Synthetic resin bonded paper,

impregnated Glass fibers, ceramic materials, Glass Tapes.

Insulation used for Rotating Machineries: Mica, Varnish, Epoxy resin impregnation,

Press board, Hylam sheets, Steel lined with Micanite.

Breakdown of Insulating materials arising in four ways: Merely having insulation

cannot serve the purpose, it has to be checked for continuity and insulation capacity,

which can otherwise lead to insulation failure. Failures are the results of inadequate

electrical breakdown strength of pure materials. The insulation may get damaged due

to:

 Mechanically as by friction or tearing

 As result of excessive Electrical Stress

 Excessive temperature or temperature cycling.

 Chemical and Physical reaction with other materials eg. Oxidation, contamination

or leaching out of ingredients.

Hence, regular maintenance and inspection of insulation is required for electrical

equipment.

AC Shocks Vs DC Shocks: The mechanism of electric shocks is related to central

nervous system of the body. Central nervous system controls vital functions of the body

rhythmic control of muscles of heart and lung diaphragm, under normal state tiny cyclic

electrical signals flow through the body from muscles to brain and vice versa through the
nervous system. Flow of Ac electric current from external source into the body disturbs

the natural periodic electric signals into the human body disturbs the natural periodic

electric signals in the body. Normal frequency of heart beat is 70 cycles per minute. Ac

supply has frequency of 50 cycles per sec. Hence AC is very dangerous to lungs and

heart. The 50 Hz shock tends to operate the heart irregularly and too rapidly. The heart

operates weakly and erratically and pumping of blood is not accomplished. This

phenomenon is called fibrillation. Similarly, normal respiration is 12 to 16 cycles per

minute frequency of AC current is too large for frequency of lung muscles hence 50Hz

current are too dangerous for lung activities. This does not happen with DC shock

currents. With DC shocks the disturbance in frequency of heart signals is only once.

Hence DC voltage levels produce the shock effects at higher voltage values than

corresponding AC voltages.

First-aid procedures: Even small amounts currents up to 30ma can also be fatal by

causing ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is the condition in which heart fails

to pump blood in rhythmic manner, instead it quivers. This is due to failure of natural

pacemaker, located at left ventricle of heart that has connection from central nervous

system. Dueto interference of high frequency external electric field, this connection gets

damaged and causes quivering of heart. if not provided with necessary first-aid, it may

cause death and moreover, the legislation says that it’s mandatory to train employees in

first-aid and emergency procedure and thus it’s necessary to understand these

procedures. The below figures shows the sequence of steps:

Along with these all, the medical assistance shall be given to victim by moving him/her

to hospital.

Other Protection Measures: Apart from the above mentioned prevention methods and

protection devices the following can be implemented to avoid electric shock.

 The concern about electrical safety shall be taken right from the design stage so

that the electrical device or system is inherently safer. That it satisfies all the legal, any

relevant standard, technical body’s requirements

 The construction of the equipment or system is as per the design and other

requirements.

 The installation made for any electrical systems shall adhere to the appropriate

requirements.

 The operation shall be carried out by trained personnel under proper supervision
 as per legal, manufacturer and other relevant requirements.

 The system shall be monitored, inspected and maintained periodically as required.

 All the workers working on any electrical line must be given proper training and

supervision. The tools and equipment used by them shall be of required standard and

insulated one.

 Proper personal protective equipment must be provided to workers.

To work in an electrical equipment/system following measures must be followed

 the equipment or system shall be tested for its sound construction, installation,

maintenance and for required covers

 The electrical equipment must be guarded isolated with proper warning sign so

that unauthorized access is prohibited.

 The hazards must identified and risk shall be evaluated. Once this is done all

necessary control measures to be put in place.

 Any work that has to be done in live line or that requires LOTO proper permit

must be obtained

 A safe system of work/ standard operating procedure must be framed for any

electrical work.

 Proper tools and PPE’s must be provided.

Summary: There are several effects of electricity

 Heating effect
 Chemical effect
 Mechanical effect
 Magnetic effect

Hazards of Electricity: The primary hazards associated with electricity and its uses are:
 Shock
 Direct Passage
 Indirect Passage
 Burns
  Arc-Blast.
 Thermal Radiation
 Pressure Wave And Projectiles
 Explosions & Fires

The effects of electric shock are burns, neurological effects and effect on the chest. Apart
from shock can throw the person and hence it has fall hazard too. Governing Factors
are Personal Factors, System Factors, and Situational Factors.