A review of hazards associated with exposure to low voltages

 

This review summarizes peer reviewed papers, government reports, and regulatory group recommendations on hazards from electricity. A goal of this report is to determine a safe voltage level below which these hazards will not occur; the review emphasis is, therefore, on ‘extremely-low’ voltage (<50 VRMS or 71 VPEAK) exposure. This report is divided into five main sections dealing with human exposure. Section I addresses the basic mechanisms by which electric current can affect biological tissue in a hazardous manner. Section II summarizes experimental research studies involving application of electric current to human subjects. Section III reviews the epidemiology and case reports of human electrocution. Section IV includes a summary of previous electrical safety standards. Section V includes the review conclusions for human exposure. An Appendix deals with the electrocution of dogs.

 

Click here to download this review conducted by Dr. Marom Bikson.