50,000 volts, as delivered by a Taser, feels like an excruciating, agonizing, full-body shock, causing immediate, intense muscle spasms, burning sensations, and temporary paralysis, making you unable to move, akin to being set on fire or hit by a powerful force, often described as the worst pain imaginable, though it's the low current (amperage) and short duration that causes this neuromuscular incapacitation rather than immediate organ damage.
Generally, voltage levels above 50 are considered lethal or potentially dangerous under certain conditions, such as the path of the current and duration. If a current below 50v passes through the fingers, directly to the head, or affects sensitive internal organs, it can fall under "deadly voltage."
The darts are connected to the main unit by thin wires that achieve a high dielectric strength and durability given the extremely high-voltage electric current they conduct (typically 50,000 volts, or 2,000 volts under load), which can be delivered in short-duration pulses from a core of copper wire in the main unit.
Thus, in the absence of high voltage, flowing current cannot flow through the body or cause injury or death. For example, a shock of 20,000 volts is passed through the body but the current is extremely low and duration is short, the shock would be harmless.
OSHA Guidance
OSHA considers all voltages 50 volts or above hazardous. This is because it is current (amperes), not voltage itself, that causes injury. Voltage only determines how much current will flow through the body, depending on resistance.
A person shocked by high voltage (500 volts or more) should be evaluated in the emergency department. After a low-voltage shock, go to the emergency department for the following concerns: Any noticeable burn to the skin. Any period of unconsciousness.
It is sometimes suggested that human lethality is most common with alternating current at 100–250 volts; however, death has occurred below this range, with supplies as low as 42 volts.
Well, a lightning is around 100-300 million Volts, but over a very short period, so if you can apply 200mil. Volts over even one second, you are basically guaranteed to oneshot any human.
Dr. Michael S. Morse, a professor of electrical engineering at the University of San Diego, explains that while 10,000 volts can be life threatening in certain circumstances, it's possible for something to have 10,000 volts behind it and be relatively harmless.
It's the amperage that will kill you, not the voltage. While there is truth to the statement, it is sort of like saying, “It's the size of the vehicle, not the speed that kills you when it hits you.” OK, so that's a pretty bad example, but hopefully, it gets the point across.
A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps.
Under Penal Code 22610 PC, it is primarily legal in California to purchase, possess or carry a stun gun or taser for lawful self-defense. However, you can't have a taser if you are a convicted felon, a drug addict, a minor under 18, or have a prior conviction for assault or misuse of a stun gun.
You point out in your letter that some consensus standards consider live parts operating between 50 and 60 volts, DC, to be non-hazardous under certain circumstances. However, OSHA considers all voltages of 50 volts or above to be hazardous.
The human body feels a shock when the voltage is higher than about 3,500 volts. Walking over a carpet can generate 35,000 volts. The Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) from this voltage can cause pain. The discharge is not life threatening but it still hurts.
Most of the time, electric shocks are minor and don't cause dangerous effects. But it's important to remember that electric shocks can cause damage inside your body that you can't see. When in doubt, it's best to err on the side of caution. Call your healthcare provider or go to the hospital after you get shocked.
In some countries, like the United States and Canada, the standard voltage for residential homes is 120V, while in others, like Australia, it's 220V-240V or even higher.
Certainly it's OK for a Tyrannosaurus to take a "mild" 10,000 volt shock, probably along with the Triceratops and Stegosaurus due to their thick hides and size, but that type of voltage would likely kill smaller dinosaurs with the exception of Velociraptors, who had attacked the fences multiple times without suffering ...
90% of people survive lightning strikes How can humans survive 100 million to 1 billion volts of electricity from a lightning strike? Lightning strikes are short bursts that can burn as shown in Lichtenberg figures. But it doesn't necessarily result in death.
Yes, those are actually 10,000 volts. Don't worry, it's pretty safe.
Taser 10 delivers a maximum voltage of 1,000 volts (previous models were 50,000v). This means that the charge will not jump an air gap, or penetrate clothing, and thus the probe must penetrate the skin for the weapon to work.
IT is well known to electricians that animals are much more sensitive to electric shock than human beings. Quite low voltages, of the order of 20 volts, are dangerous to cattle and horses.
The voltage and body resistance plays a bigger part. DC Will hold you. A/C will throw you. The alternating current gives you a chance to pull away.
Electric shock refers to a non-fatal electrical injury, whereas electrocution describes a fatal electrical injury. In other words, electrocution results in death due to the passage of an electrical current through the body, whereas electric shock causes injury but not death.
A touch voltage of 50 V AC (1-1000 Hz) or 120 V DC for long shock duration (> 3 s) should not be exceeded in healthy adults otherwise a life-threatening condition may occur. For children and livestock the touch voltage is limited to 25 V AC or 60 V DC.