Журнал биомедицинских систем и новых технологий

Human-Body Impedance and Electric Shock

Abstract

Norimitsu Ichikawa, Taishi Amano and Ryo Nakata

The electric current of an electric shock can often cause death. There have been a total of 7,626 fatalities by electrocution in Japan between 1959 and 2016. The average internal human-body impedance has been measured to be 1,000 Ω in 60 human cadavers (male and female) and 500 Ω in live bodies. By accepting the cost of replacing voltage-distribution cables with insulated cables, electrical safety levels can be significantly increased. When handling a live wire with a low voltage using cotton gloves, electric shocks can be milder than when using bare hands. Wearing fully covering insulative clothing can also reduce the likelihood of electrocution in the summer heat. These results will be useful to prevent electrocution accidents.