[Amps] Here's a Shocker

[Michael Tope]

Seems to me that it is very important here to properly distinguish
between the level of nervous system response (ouch factor) and
the level of tissue damage or bio-function disruption (R.I.P. factor).
In terms of human safety you want the mains operating at a frequency
where the ratio of nervous system response (ouch factor) to bodily
harm (R.I.P. factor) is the highest.

It was my understanding that the average threshold for cardiac
arrest was about 40mA through the chest area. I didn't consider
that it might have a frequency dependence. Or is it just the shock
sensation level (as opposed to the harm level) that has the
frequency dependence?

Mike, W4EF.....................................


----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Turner" <dezrat1242 at ispwest.com>
To: "John Lawson" <jpl15 at panix.com>
Cc: <amps at contesting.com>; "Will Matney" <craxd1 at ezwv.com>
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 5:49 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Here's a Shocker


> On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 15:09:23 -0500 (EST), John Lawson wrote:
>
> >   Will, there is no 'natural' frequency for any mammalian nervous
systems.
>
> _________________________________________________________
>
> Sorry, but there is indeed, at least in the humans who volunteered for
> my testing.  (I'm using the word "testing" pretty loosely, here.
> Mostly just a few guys being curious).
>
> This was many years ago, back in the '60s when I was employed at a
> defense contractor.  In our spare time, a few of my co-workers and I
> were curious about the body's response to different voltages and
> currents, and we had access to a variable frequency sine wave
> generator which could put out from zero to 100 or so VRMS.  To make a
> long story short, we found that frequencies above about 600-800 Hz
> caused no shock effect at all, up to the voltage we had available.
>
> And in response to your "natural" frequency comment, by far the most
> shocking frequency was about 10 Hz, far more shocking than frequencies
> higher or lower, including DC.  As the frequency was swept, there was
> a definite peaking effect, and so, I would suggest the natural
> resonance frequency of the human nervous system is about 10 Hz.
>
> If Mr. Lawson can lose the snotty, condescending tone in his posts, I
> would be glad to hear from him.  Otherwise, don't bother.
>
> --
> Bill W6WRT
>
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