How To Prevent Electric Shock
Table of Contents
ToggleElectric Shock can cause anything from mild discomfort to serious injury or even life-threatening. If an electric current flows in the human body, it should not be taken lightly. In this article of nicewritten.com, we will learn in detail about how to prevent electric shock, along with what protective strategies should be adopted to insure safety at home, workplace, and outside.
What is an Electric Shock?

Before knowing Safety Precautions to Avoid Electric Shock, I will discuss electric shock in detail.
In this, we will learn about the Electric Shock Definition, the difference between electric shock and electrocution, and how many volts are lethal.
Electric shock is a physical experience when an electric current passes through the human body.
It occurs when the body is connected to an electrical circuit, causing electricity to flow from a source through the body and back along the circuit.
This current disrupts normal electrical signals in the body, possibly causing physical damage, functional impairment, or even fatal consequences.
The extent of damage an electric shock will cause to the body depends entirely on factors such as voltage, amount of current, duration of exposure, path of the current through the body, and surrounding wet or dry conditions.
All these factors need to be understood in depth so that the right electric shock protection strategy can be adopted
In severe cases, electric shock can cause immediate injuries, including respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, or tissue injury.
Long-term effects can include chronic pain, nervous system damage, or psychological injury.
What is the Difference Between Electric Shock and Electrocution?
Electric shock involves electrical current passing through the body, which can disrupt the body’s normal functioning.
This can range from a mild shock to a serious injury or even cause long-term damage.
So electric shock protection tips always protects against electrical shock.
Electric shocks can cause minor trauma, such as tingling or temporary numbness.
In severe cases, skin burns, muscle damage, or mild to severe nervous system damage can occur, but if treated in time, the person can recover.
Most electrical injuries do not have fatal effects if the shock is brief and the electrical voltage is not too high.
Electrocution is a very lethal consequence of electrical shock.
It occurs when the electric current passing through the body exceeds the body’s tolerance level, causing cardiac arrest, organ failure, or severe burns that can lead to death.
Electrocution almost always results in death, and it is the most serious type of exposure to electricity.
Electrocution is usually caused by high voltage or a long contact time of electricity
How much Voltage is Dangerous
to See, voltage is not an indicator of fatality; rather, fatality depends on the amount of current flowing through the body.
By the way, voltage determines how much current can flow through the circuit.
It is very important to know some special safety precautions to avoid electric shock regarding electrical voltage and current. Let us know.
- Generally up to 50 volts, in dry conditions it is not fatal to the human body, because in this condition the resistance of the human body is high.
- But if the body is wet, then even a low voltage of 30-50 volts can be fatal because in this condition water reduces the resistance of the body.
- It is extremely dangerous when the voltage range is 50-1000 volts. Voltage up to 100 volts or more can cause serious injury or even death if the current passes through sensitive organs like the heart or brain.
- Above 1000 volts it is extremely lethal and can cause instant electric shock and death.
- High voltage shocks often cause severe burns and damage to internal organs.
Role of Current for electrical injury
In electric shock protection article, it is very important to know the role of current for electric shock along with voltage.
The voltage determines the electric current for the shock, while the current indicates its lethality.
- 1 mA current causes a slight tingling or sensation in the body.
- 10–20 mA current causes muscle spasms in the body; the body loses control.
- A shock of 30–50 mA current can cause respiratory paralysis of the body.
- An electrical current of 100–200 mA produces irregular heartbeats in the body, which can often result in death if not treated immediately.
- Electric currents above 200 mA cause severe burns and damage to the body, and may even cause the heart to stop completely.
What Causes an Electrical Shock?
The causes of electric shock can vary widely. But it occurs when a person comes into contact with a live electrical source or an energized object adjacent to it.
Before knowing the safety precautions to avoid electric shock, let us understand the causes of electric shock and insure prevent electric shock.
1. Contact with live wires
When a person touches a bare or poorly insulated wire, the body acts like an electrical circuit, causing a current to flow through it.
This type of electric shock is the most common cause. Some of the events that happen are:
2. From damaged electrical equipment
- By coming in contact with broken or worn out electrical wires.
- Using electrical appliances with damaged cords.
- Accidentally coming in contact with a live circuit while doing electrical work.
There is a risk of electric shock from using equipment, tools, or devices with internal defects. For example:
- Old or defective appliances with damaged internal wiring.
- Cracks or weak insulation in the equipment.
- Poorly earthed equipment.
3. Wet or Damp Area
Water is a good conductor of electricity and in wet conditions the resistance of the body reduces considerably and electric current flows easily.
This causes shock due to the following reasons:
- If using electrical appliances with wet hands.
- If there is a leak or spill of water near the electrical outlet or equipment.
- When doing electrical work in the rain or near wet places.
4. The circuit is overloaded.
Loading too many devices in a single outlet of a low rating can cause circuit overheating, short circuit or even electrical fire.
This may cause electric shock Some of the main causes are:
- Using high power devices in low capacity circuits.
- Running high-load appliances on low-load extension cords or power strips.
5. Coming in contact with the power line.
Power lines laid overhead or underground are high-voltage. Direct or indirect contact with these lines can cause severe electric shocks.
- Climb trees or stairs located in front of power lines.
- Accidental contact with live electrical lines while using a crane or lift.
- Digging without knowledge of buried live electrical cables.
6. Faulty circuit breaker or fuse
Circuit breakers and fuses are designed to protect electrical systems against overload and short circuits.
When these fail, the risk of electrical shock and fire increases.
7. Lack of knowledge about personal protective equipment (PPE)
People who work with electricity are at greater risk of electric shock because they do not use PPE, such as rubber-soled boots, insulated tools, electric shock proof gloves.
How to Avoid Electric Shock
Electric shock protection is important to insure personal safety at home, in the workplace, and outdoors.
By following good electrical safety tips, using the right tools, and maintaining safety awareness, you can reduce the risk of accidental exposure to electricity.
Safety Precautions to Avoid Electric Shock at Home at Home
- Be sure to have your home's electrical system inspected regularly by yourself or a qualified electrician.
- Have worn wires, damaged outlets, and faulty switches checked and replaced.
- Make sure electrical equipment is grounded.
- Do not overload the outlets circuit.
- To protect the equipment in use from power fluctuations, make sure to use a surge protector.
- Disconnect the appliance cord from the socket when not in use.
- Keep electrical equipment away from wet places.
- Keep electrical outlets and appliances away from children.
- Use outlet covers to prevent electric shocks.
- Be sure to warn children about electrical safety tipsand risks. Outdoor Safety
- Do not use electrical appliances during a storm.
- Stay away from power lines and electric poles.
- Never perform repair work on electrical equipment outside in wet weather.
Safety Precautions to Avoid Electric Shock at Home at Workplace
- Follow all Indian Electricity safety rules, guidelines and procedures.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as rubber gloves and safety glasses.
- Use insulated tools when working with electricity.
- Report any suspected electrical hazard or faulty equipment to your supervisor immediately.
- For shock protection Do not attempt to repair electrical problems yourself unless you are a qualified electrician.
- Know the location of emergency stop switches and circuit breakers to prevent electric shock.
- Be sure to know the emergency procedures used in case of electrical accidents.
- Use GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected outlets to protect outdoor electrical devices.
- To avoid electric shock do not touch the victim with bare hands.
- This is a very important preventive electric shock method. Before isolating the victim from the power source, switch off the main power supply and then use a non-conductive object.
- If the victim of electric shock is not breathing, start CPR immediately.
Conclusion
How to prevent electric shock, we need to be careful, have proper equipment and follow safety guidelines. Be it home or workplace, follow these precautions and protect others from harm. Remember, even a little carelessness can cause an accident. Electricity is powerful and ruthless, but with the right approach it can be managed safely.
I am an engineer in a government department and also a blogger. I write posts on topics related to electrical and electronics engineering.