getting zapped

[Gregory Chan]

>   <<<
>          I've gotten zapped by motorcycle ignitions, 110V ac etc. but I
>   believe that 12V dc is more dangerous due to the high currents
>   involved. The first thing I learnt in basic electricity is that 500mA
>   of current can kill you and car circuits certainly draw lots!
>   >>>
>   
>   Well- put each hand on a battery terminal of your car; what happens? Nothing. 
>   No pain, nada. 12v is too low to drive significant current through your 
>   skin/body load resistance. Higher voltage is more dangerous since the current 
>   that flows through your body is V/R as usual. 
>   
Suppose though that it's raining and your car won't start. You are 
soaked and open the hood and start messing with the starter. Your spanner 
shorts to ground. What happens? What I am trying to say is that given 
the right circumstances 12V dc can deliver a nasty shock or give one 
a nice burn.

gchan at compserv.senecac.on.ca