The effect of voltage vs current intensity on human tissue

In summary, current intensity is a better measure to describe the flow of electricity and the effects it has on human tissue. Voltage is a difference in electrical potential of two points, and is not always a good measure to express the potential for current flow.
  • #1
wildetudor
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0
Hello everyone,

I was lately thinking about how exactly do these two main electrical measures - current intensity and voltage - differ in describing the effects of electricity on human tissue (skin/muscle/brain etc). For example, I know that most of the time there are warnings of high voltages that might harm you, whereas you rarely see a safety limit given in Amperes (so as current intensity), and I don't really understand why.

Isn't the flow of current what, after all, causes harm to tissue? And is that flow not best described by current intensity? Voltage being a difference in electrical potential of two spacially separated points, then, as I understand it, voltage has the potential (in the common sense of the word) to create a current, if the impedance between the two points is low enough - but again, isn't the current (the "effect") the one that has an impact on the tissue, rather than the voltage (which is, in a way, the "cause" of the current)?

Given that the electrical resistance of dry human skin is (probably) relatively constant, shouldn't, then, a particular safety limit be able to be expressed both as a voltage and as a current, given that the two are mathematically related via the skin's resistance?

If anyone could give a more informed opinion on this, or perhaps suggest where on PF this thread should be relocated, I would very much appreciate it - many thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
The basic equations are E=IR and EI=P=energy/time. E (electromotive force)is measured in volts, I (current intensity) is measured in amperes (1 coulomb of electric charge per second), R is resistance and P is power. Multiplying volts by amps gives power in watts. 1 watt delivers one joule of energy per second. So the total work done is a function of the total energy delivered, measured in watts x seconds, but damage done to tissue is mostly a function of the rate of energy delivery or power.
 
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  • #3
Hi, thanks for your reply. I'm still not clear, though, whether a safety limit should be expressed as a voltage or as a current, and how is a high voltage dangerous other than by creating the potential for a strong *current* to set in.
 
  • #4
wildetudor said:
Hi, thanks for your reply. I'm still not clear, though, whether a safety limit should be expressed as a voltage or as a current, and how is a high voltage dangerous other than by creating the potential for a strong *current* to set in.

Remember E=IR. Household voltage is typically 120 (North America) or 220 (Europe). Resistance of dry human skin is very high. The following link estimates it at 1 million ohms. So the experimental variable then becomes current. The predicted effects due to various levels of current are discussed here:

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_3/4.html

It should be emphasized R can be very variable and is hard to measure or estimate. E and I however are easily measured and controlled so that one can be held constant while other is allowed to vary.
 
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  • #5
Thanks, that article was really useful! However, even after reading it whole, I still have one question. I'll have to expand a bit on the reasons that prompted me to start this thread in the first place.

I had in mind the brain stimulation technique called Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), which is used by neuroscientists to modulate the excitability of neurons in certain parts of the cerebral cortex. With tDCS, two electrodes are connected to a human participant's scalp, over parts of the brain relevant to the study. The electrodes are connected to a current source that delivers a constant current (usually ~1mA) for a certain amount of time (about 20 minutes). The electrodes are soaked in saline solution to bring the impedance of the total circuit to the order of a few tens of kOhms.

The tDCS stimulator (i.e. the current source) will not start delivering current if the impedance is above a certain threshold, which is by default 55 kOhms but that can be increased up to 100 kOhms. There is also an additional safety measure whereby the machine stops delivering current if the voltage required to produce the desired current exceeds a certain value. It's this bit that I don't understand -- since it's ultimately the *current* that we want not to exceed a certain limit, then why would it be dangerous to exceed a certain voltage, if there is enough resistance in the circuit to prevent too strong a current to flow? Obviously, high voltage means the potential for large amounts of current through the body, but even assuming the body resistance may sometimes drop unexpectedly, that still doesn’t mean that there will be a high current, because the stimulator (which, agan, is really just a source of constant current) instantly reduces the voltage, so as to keep the E/R ratio constant, i.e. to a safe ~1 mA.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this, thanks again!
 
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  • #6
wildetudor said:
ce.

I had in mind the brain stimulation technique called Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), which is used by neuroscientists to modulate the excitability of neurons in certain parts of the cerebral cortex...

-- since it's ultimately the *current* that we want not to exceed a certain limit, then why would it be dangerous to exceed a certain voltage, if there is enough resistance in the circuit to prevent too strong a current to flow? Obviously, high voltage means the potential for large amounts of current through the body, but even assuming the body resistance may sometimes drop unexpectedly, that still doesn’t mean that there will be a high current, because the stimulator (which, agan, is really just a source of constant current) instantly reduces the voltage, so as to keep the E/R ratio constant, i.e. to a safe ~1 mA.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this, thanks again!

I'm posting a link so others will have some information on tDCS. With E=IR you can see that if you want constant I at 1mA, than the optimal voltage depends only on R. I'm not familiar with this kind of research but it looks like you answered your own question. If R drops unexpectedly, you need a corresponding drop in available voltage or you will get a current surge. This is mitigated by capping available voltage. That means that if R increased, you may not have enough voltage to maintain I=1mA. I would expect this is a necessary feature for the sake of safety.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2270099/
 
  • #7
SW VandeCarr said:
\ it looks like you answered your own question. \

Did I? :-) My argument was that, assuming that there is enough voltage available to compensate for higher impedances, then, in case of a sudden drop of impedance (R), the voltage (E) can also drop at the same time, such that at no time does the current (E/R) exceed the set value. I still don't see why that isn't the case.
 
  • #8
wildetudor said:
Did I? :-) My argument was that, assuming that there is enough voltage available to compensate for higher impedances, then, in case of a sudden drop of impedance (R), the voltage (E) can also drop at the same time, such that at no time does the current (E/R) exceed the set value. I still don't see why that isn't the case.

OK, As I said, I'm not familiar with the details and the immediate adjustment of voltage in response to changes in impedance to maintain the current intensity would be desirable. One has to consider skin preparation materials, moisture and other factors that might cause short circuiting. I suppose it's unlikely, but for safety reasons you might want to put some reasonable upper limit on available voltage if for no other reason than not relying solely on the technology for safety.
 
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  • #9
Yup, that makes sense. Thanks again for your help!
 
  • #10
wildetudor said:
Isn't the flow of current what, after all, causes harm to tissue?

No, and yes. (; Current doesn't flow.

As I recently discovered online, "current _is_ flow (of electrical charge)."

One doesn't say that the flow flows, does he? One says, "we appear to be seeing a small, but measurable current. Therefore, the electrons are playing musical atoms (not unlike musical chairs) in the direction of the positive terminal on the power supply." (Electrons try to go where they are wanted. There is, of course, a surfeit of electrons towards the negative electrode, and a deficit, towards the positive.)

You are correct, Wildetudor, that, when it comes to tissue being electrocuted - "It's the Volts that jolts, but it's the mills (as in milliamps) that kills."


High Voltage warning signs should read, High Power. But some people don't know that Power can be dangerous (in the wrong hands). So, "High Voltage" gets the message across.


wildetudor said:
And is that flow not best described by current intensity?


To recap, the current intensity is the intensity of the flow of charge.
One wants to have a very low voltage for safety purposes because a low resistance path (which can be shorted accidentally) creates potentially dangerous current. Nevertheless, it is not the voltage that offends (much).


-Hrunting
 

What is the difference between voltage and current intensity?

Voltage is the measure of electrical potential energy between two points in a circuit. It is measured in volts (V). Current intensity, also known as amperage, is the measure of the flow of electrical charge through a circuit. It is measured in amperes (A).

How does voltage and current intensity affect human tissue?

High voltage and high current intensity can both have damaging effects on human tissue. High voltage can cause burns and tissue damage, while high current intensity can disrupt the body's natural electrical signals and potentially cause muscle contractions or nerve damage.

What factors affect the impact of voltage and current intensity on human tissue?

The impact of voltage and current intensity on human tissue can be affected by various factors such as the duration of exposure, the path of the current through the body, and the resistance of the tissue. Other factors, such as the frequency of the electrical current and the individual's overall health, may also play a role.

Can low voltage or current intensity cause harm to human tissue?

Yes, low voltage and low current intensity can also cause harm to human tissue. While the effects may not be as severe as with high voltage or current intensity, prolonged exposure to low levels of electricity can still cause tissue damage and disrupt the body's natural electrical signals.

What safety measures should be taken to minimize the impact of voltage and current intensity on human tissue?

To minimize the impact of voltage and current intensity on human tissue, safety measures such as using appropriate insulation, wearing protective gear, and following proper electrical safety protocols should be taken. It is also important to limit the duration of exposure and use caution when working with electrical equipment.

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