230 V AC vs. 230 V DC: Which is More Dangerous?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the comparative dangers of 230 V AC and 230 V DC electrical supplies to human safety. It explores the physiological effects of both types of current and the conditions under which they may be lethal.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that both 230 V AC and 230 V DC can be lethal if sufficient current is present.
  • One viewpoint claims that DC is more lethal and painful because it runs through the center of the body, while AC is said to be concentrated around the conductor.
  • Another participant challenges this by mentioning the skin effect in AC at higher frequencies, stating that AC can be lethal at very low currents due to its effect on the heart's electrical signals.
  • It is noted that while AC can cause fatal heart rhythms at low currents, DC may require higher currents to be lethal, primarily causing burns.
  • Concerns are raised about the dangers of high power DC, particularly regarding the difficulty of switching off or disconnecting DC circuits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the lethality of AC versus DC, with no consensus reached on which is definitively more dangerous.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference physiological effects and electrical characteristics without resolving the complexities of current flow and human response to different types of electrical supply.

namannitant
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Which would be more dangerous for a human being 230 V a.c or 230 V dc supply...
 
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Assuming enough current both can kill you.
 
People say that the DC is more lethal and painful because it runs through the center, while the AC is concentrated around of the conductor.

does anyone know if it's true?
 
Carlos Dutra said:
People say that the DC is more lethal and painful because it runs through the center, while the AC is concentrated around of the conductor.
does anyone know if it's true?
Not really, at higher frequencies AC travels in the surface of a conductor (the skin effect) but that's not relevant here.

AC can kill you at very low currents (0.01A) because the heart uses electrical signals. A small 50/60Hz AC current through the heart causes it to try and beat at 50/60 times per second which doesn't work for very long.

DC kills you be simply burning so you need a lot more current.

But high power DC can be a lot more dangerous in use. It's very difficult to switch off DC or disconnect something that is attached to it.
 

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