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Measurement of Electrical Potentials and Magnetic Fields from the Body Surface
Published in Robert B. Northrop, Non-Invasive Instrumentation and Measurement in Medical Diagnosis, 2017
All amplifiers used to record biopotential signals from humans must meet certain standards for worst-case voltage breakdown and maximum leakage currents through their input leads which are attached to electrodes on the body, and maximum current through any driven output lead attached to the body. A variety of testing conditions or scenarios to ensure patient safety have been formulated by various regulatory agencies (cf. Northrop 2012, Section 8.3). The conservative leakage current and voltage breakdown criteria set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (Quincy, MA), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) have generally been adopted by medical equipment manufacturers in the United States and by U.S. hospitals and other healthcare facilities. There are a number of other regulatory agencies that also are involved in formulating and adopting the electrical medical safety standards: These include: The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Under-writers Laboratories (UL), the Health Industries Manufacturers’ Association (HEMA), the National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association (NEMA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Most of the standards have been adopted to prevent patient electrocution, including burns, the induction of fibrillation in the heart, muscle spasms, etc.
Response to Low-Frequency Alternating Current Passing Through the Body
Published in Leslie A. Geddes, Handbook of Electrical Hazards and Accidents, 1995
Death by the passage of electric current through the body is designated “electrocution.” The method was first adopted by the State of New York in 1888. The first criminal was electrocuted in 1890; details of this event have been reported by Bernstein (1973). In legal electrocution, the subject is seated in a wooden chair with both arms and legs strapped to the chair, as shown schematically in Figure 3.9A. One electrode is applied to the shaved head, the other to the left shin. The voltage-time program is different in different states, the method consisting of the sudden application of about 2,000 volts and consciousness is lost instantly with strong muscular contractions occurring at the instant of current flow. Both direct and alternating current have been used in legal electrocution; however, the majority of applications use alternating current. The voltage is applied for a time from a few seconds to about 10 sec. In a typical case, about 40 A of current flows; then the voltage is reduced to about 500 and maintained at this value for about 30 seconds. From this point on the programs of raising and lowering the voltage vary. In most cases, the total period of current flow is about 2 min. Figure 3.9B illustrates several voltage-time protocols.
Electrical safety
Published in Phil Hughes, Ed Ferrett, Introduction to Health and Safety in Construction, 2015
It is important to note that electrocution by high-voltage electricity is normally instantly fatal. On discovering a person who has been electrocuted by high-voltage electricity, the police and electricity supply company should be informed. If the person remains in contact with or within 18 m of the supply, then he/she should not be approached to within 18 m by others until the supply has been switched off and clearance has been given by the emergency services. High-voltage electricity can 'arc' over distances less than 18 m, thus electrocuting the would-be rescuer (Figure 12.3).
Investigation of non-fatal occupational accidents and their causes in Turkish shipyards
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2023
Fatih Burak Izci, Orhan Gökyay, Baris Barlas
Electrocution accidents have occurred during different types of operations, i.e., contact with electrical hand tools with no grounding, presence of an open arc jump, exposed electrical distribution panels with no grounding systems, etc.