Wayne R. Rives on thu 9 may 96
Electricity doesn't follow the path of least resistance; rather, the
current divides between the available paths. The amount of current you
get depends on the resistance you offer between the source and ground.
The muscular contraction you experience when you are shocked usually
causes you to grip tighter which lowers your total resistance, causing an
increase in current. It doesn't take much more than 50 milliamps to kill
(.005 amps). The fact that your heart rate is close to the 60 cycle
frequency of the AC line also helps to disrupt your heart's normal
beating and kill you quicker.
I always unplug. If you decide to use the breaker, tag the box so no one
will come along and helpfully throw it back to the energized position.
Better yet, lock the breaker box if that is possible.
Wayne Rives
wrives@mail.coin.missouri.edu
Richard Burkett on thu 9 may 96
Wayne's right about the current being split between both the element and you
if you if you touch a live electrical source in your kiln. What I meant by
electricity following the path of least resistance is that if you're the
better conductor MORE of it will flow through you. If you're electrically
conducting at all, then SOME electricity will flow through you if you connect
yourself.
The advice is the same, turn the kiln off, unplug it or lock the breaker off
before working on kiln elements or electrical parts.
Richard
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