BRITISH STANDARD PD 6519-2:

1988
Licensed Copy: Institute Of Technology Tallaght, Institute of Technology, Tue Apr 03 04:04:41 GMT+00:00 2007, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

IEC 479-2:
1987
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Guide to

Effects of current on
human beings and
livestock —
Part 2: Special aspects relating to
human beings

UDC [612.795 + 612.014.42]:621.3.011.21.014.12:614.826:[621.3.025 + 621.3.029.45]:001.4

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Committees responsible for this

Published Document

This Published Document was prepared by the General Electrotechnical

Engineering Standards Committee upon which the following bodies were
represented:

Associated Offices Technical Committee

Association of Control Manufacturers (TACMA) (BEAMA Ltd.)
BEAMA Ltd.
British Approvals Service for Electric Cables
British Cable Makers’ Confederation
British Radio and Electronic Equipment Manufacturers’ Association
Department of Energy (Electricity Division)
Department of Trade and Industry (National Physical Laboratory)
Department of Trade and Industry (Radiocommunications Division)
Department of Trade and Industry [Shipbuilding and Electrical Engineering
Division (SEE)]
Electrical Contractors’ Association
Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland
Electrical Installation Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA Ltd.)
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Electronic Components Industry Federation
Electronic Engineering Association
Energy Industries Council
Engineering Equipment and Materials Users’ Association
ERA Technology Ltd.
GAMBICA Ltd.
Health and Safety Executive
Institution of Electrical Engineers
Ministry of Defence
Trades Union Congress

This Published Document,

having been prepared under
the direction of the General
Electrotechnical Engineering
Standards Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Board of BSI and comes Amendments issued since publication
into effect on
29 April 1988
Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
© BSI 03-1999
8649 June 1995 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
The following BSI reference
relates to the work on this
Published Document:
Committee reference GEL/-

ISBN 0 580 16454 3

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Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Chapter 4: Effects of alternating current with frequencies above 100 Hz
1 General 1
2 Scope 1
3 Definitions 1
4 Effects of alternating current in the frequency
range above 100 Hz up to and including 1 000 Hz 1
5 Effects of alternating current in the frequency
range above 1 000 Hz up to and including 10 000 Hz 1
6 Effects of alternating current in the frequency
range above 10 000 Hz 1
Chapter 5: Effects of special waveforms of current
1 General 4
2 Scope 4
3 Definitions 4
4 Effects of alternating current with d.c. components 4
5 Effects of alternating current with phase control 5
6 Effects of alternating current with multicycle control 6
Chapter 6: Effects of unidirectional single impulse currents of
short duration
1 General 10
2 Scope 10
3 Definitions 10
4 Effects of unidirectional impulse currents of short duration 11
Figure 9 — Variation of the threshold of perception within
the frequency range 50/60 Hz to 1 000 Hz 2
Figure 10 — Variation of the threshold of let-go within the
frequency range 50/60 Hz to 1 000 Hz 2
Figure 11 — Variation of the threshold of ventricular
fibrillation within the frequency range 50/60 Hz to 1 000 Hz,
shock-durations longer than one heart period and longitudinal
current paths through the trunk of the body 3
Figure 12 — Variation of the threshold of perception within
the frequency range 1 000 Hz to 10 000 Hz 3
Figure 13 — Variation of the threshold of let-go within
the frequency range 1 000 Hz to 10 000 Hz 3
Figure 14 — Waveforms of currents 7
Figure 15 — Waveforms of rectified alternating currents 7
Figure 16 — Waveforms of alternating currents with phase control 8
Figure 17 — Waveforms of alternating currents with multicycle control 8
Figure 18 — Threshold of ventricular fibrillation (average values)
for alternating current with multicycle control for various degrees
of power control (results of experiments with young pigs) 9
Figure 19 — Forms of current for rectangular impulses,
sinusoidal impulses and for capacitor discharges 14

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Page
Figure 20 — Rectangular impulse, sinusoidal impulse and
capacitor discharge having the same specific fibrillating energy
and the same shock-duration 14
Figure 21 — Threshold of perception and threshold of pain for
capacitor discharges (dry hands, large contact areas) 15
Figure 22 — Threshold of ventricular fibrillation 16
Bibliography 17
Publications referred to Inside back cover

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National foreword

This Published Document, which has been prepared under the direction of the
General Electrotechnical Engineering Standards Committee, is identical with the
Report of the International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC
Publication 479-2:1987 “Effects of current on human beings and livestock.
Part 2: Special aspects relating to human beings”. Although the content of the
IEC Publication is not judged suitable for publication as a British Standard, its
status in the IEC of “Basic safety standard” (see IEC Guide 104:1984 “Guide to
the drafting of safety standards, and the role of committees with safety pilot
functions and safety group functions”) is likely to result in many references to it
being made in other IEC standards concerned with safety and it is therefore
thought to be of interest to members of appropriate Technical Committees and to
those concerned with development of products. In particular, the number of
experiments on which the data in IEC 479 were based was stastically small and
there may have been a bias in respect of age, health and racial characteristics.
The most conservative figures in IEC 479 cover 95 % of the adult population so,
where safety of persons is a consideration, a substantial safety factor should be
applied. Attention is drawn to the introduction in PD 6519-1 which indicates
ways in which the PD should be used.
PD 6519 is published in two Parts. The other Part is:
— Part 1 General aspects
Terminology and conventions. The text of IEC 479-2 has been approved as
suitable for publication as a Published Document without deviation. Some
terminology and certain conventions are not identical with those used in British
Standard publications; attention is drawn especially to the following.

Cross-referencesa

International standard Corresponding British Standard

IEC 50 BS 4727: Glossary of electrotechnical, power,

telecommunication, electronics, lighting and colour
terms
IEC 50(551):1982 Part 2:Group 02:1983 Power electronics terminology
(Technically equivalent)
IEC 50(801):1984 Part 3:Group 08:1985 Acoustics and electroacoustics
terminology
(Technically equivalent)
a
Undated in the text.

A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 18, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

© BSI 03-1999 iii

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iv
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Chapter 4: Effects of alternating 4.2 Threshold of let-go
current with frequencies above 100 Hz For the threshold of let-go the frequency factor is
1 General
Electric energy in the form of alternating current of
higher frequencies than 50/60 Hz is increasingly
used in modern electrical equipment, for example
aircraft (400 Hz), power tools and electric welding
(mostly up to 450 Hz), electrotherapy (using
mostly 4 000 Hz to 5 000 Hz), switching mode
power supplies (20 kHz to 1 MHz).
Little experimental data is available for this
chapter, so that the information given herein should
be considered as provisional only but may be used
for the evaluation of risks in the ranges of
frequencies concerned (see bibliography). Attention
is also drawn to the fact, that the impedance of
human skin decreases approximately inversely
proportional to the frequency for touch voltages in
the order of some tens of volts, so that the skin
impedance at 500 Hz is only about one tenth of the
skin impedance at 50 Hz and may be neglected in
many cases. This holds even more true for higher
frequencies. The impedance of the human body at
such frequencies is therefore reduced to its internal
impedance Zi (see Chapter 1).
2 Scope
This chapter describes the effects of sinusoidal
alternating current within the frequency ranges:
— above 100 Hz up to and including 1 000 Hz
(see Clause 4);
— above 1 000 Hz up to and including 10 000 Hz
(see Clause 5);
— above 10 000 Hz (see Clause 6).
3 Definitions
In addition to the definitions given in Part 1, the
following definition applies:
3.1
frequency factor Ff
ratio of the threshold current for the relevant
physiological effects at the frequency f to the
threshold current at 50/60 Hz
NOTE The frequency factor differs for perception, let-go and
ventricular fibrillation.
4 Effects of alternating current in the
frequency range above 100 Hz up to
and including 1 000 Hz
4.1 Threshold of perception
For the threshold of perception the frequency factor
is given in Figure 9.
© BSI 03-1999
PD 6519-2:1988
given in Figure 10.
4.3 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation
For shock-durations longer than the cardiac cycle,
the frequency factor for the threshold of fibrillation
for longitudinal current paths through the trunk of
the body is given in Figure 11.
For shock-durations shorter than the cardiac cycle
no experimental data is available.
5 Effects of alternating current in the
frequency range above 1 000 Hz up to
and including 10 000 Hz
5.1 Threshold of perception
For the threshold of perception the frequency factor
is given in Figure 12.
5.2 Threshold of let-go
For the threshold of let-go the frequency factor is
given in Figure 13.
5.3 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation
Under consideration.
6 Effects of alternating current in the
frequency range above 10 000 Hz
6.1 Threshold of perception
For frequencies between 10 kHz and 100 kHz the
threshold rises approximately from 10 mA
to 100 mA (r.m.s. values).
For frequencies above 100 kHz the tingling
sensation characteristic for the perception at lower
frequencies changes into a sensation of warmth for
current intensities in the order of some hundred
milliamperes.
6.2 Threshold of let-go
For frequencies above 100 kHz there is neither
experimental data nor reported incidents
concerning the threshold of let-go.
6.3 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation
For frequencies above 100 kHz there is neither
experimental data nor reported incidents
concerning the threshold of ventricular fibrillation.
6.4 Other effects
Burns may occur at frequencies above 100 kHz and
current magnitudes in the order of amperes
depending on the duration of the current flow.
1
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Figure 9 — Variation of the threshold of perception within the frequency

range 50/60 Hz to 1 000 Hz

Figure 10 — Variation of the threshold of let-go within the frequency

range 50/60 Hz to 1 000 Hz

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NOTE For shock-durations shorter than one heart period, other curves are under consideration.
Figure 11 — Variation of the threshold of ventricular fibrillation within the frequency
range 50/60 Hz to 1 000 Hz, shock-durations longer than one heart period and
longitudinal current paths through the trunk of the body

Figure 12 — Variation of the threshold of Figure 13 — Variation of the threshold of

perception within the frequency let-go within the frequency range 1 000 Hz
range 1 000 Hz to 10 000 Hz to 10 000 Hz

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Chapter 5: Effects of special
waveforms of current
1 General
The increasing interest in special waveforms of
current derived from alternating current and direct
current is evidenced by the rising number of
applications of electronic controls causing such
types of current particularly in the case of an
insulation fault. This holds true also for equipment
using alternating currents with phase control and
multicycle control.
As is to be expected the effects of such currents on
the human body are between those caused by direct
and by alternating current; therefore equivalent
current magnitudes with regard to ventricular
fibrillation can be established.
2 Scope
This chapter describes the effects of current passing
through the human body for:
— alternating sinusoidal current with d.c.
components,
— alternating sinusoidal current with phase
control,
— alternating sinusoidal current with multicycle
control.
NOTE Other waveforms are under consideration.
The information given is deemed applicable for
alternating current frequencies from 15 Hz up
to 100 Hz.
3 Definitions
In addition to the definitions given in Part 1, the
following ones apply for the purpose of this chapter:
3.1
phase control
the process of varying the instant within the cycle at
which current conduction begins
3.2
phase control angle (current delay angle)
the time expressed in angular measure by which the
starting instant of current conduction is delayed by
phase control
3.3
multicycle control
the process of varying the ratio of the number of
cycles which include current conduction to the
number of cycles in which no current conduction
occurs
4 © BSI 03-1999
3.4
multicycle control factor p
the ratio between the number of conducting cycles
and the sum of conducting and non- conducting
cycles in the case of multicycle control
(see Figure 17)
4 Effects of alternating current with
d.c. components
4.1 Waveforms and frequencies
Figure 14, shows typical waveforms which are dealt
with in this clause. Pure d.c. and pure a.c. are
represented as well as combined waveforms of
various ratios a.c. to d.c. The following current
magnitudes have to be distinguished:
Irms = r.m.s. value of the current of the
resultant waveform,
Ip = peak value of the current of the
resultant waveform,
Ipp = peak-to-peak value of the current of the
resultant waveform,
Iev = r.m.s. value of a sinusoidal current
presenting the same risk as regards
ventricular fibrillation as the waveform
concerned.
NOTE The current Iev is used instead of the current IB
in Figure 5 of Chapter 2 to estimate the risk of ventricular
fibrillation.
4.2 Threshold of perception
The threshold of perception depends on several
parameters such as the area of the body in contact
with an electrode (contact area), the conditions of
contact (dry, wet, pressure, temperature) and also
on physiological characteristics of the individual.
Values for the threshold of perception are under
consideration.
4.3 Threshold of let-go
The threshold of let-go depends on several
parameters, such as the contact area, the shape and
size of the electrodes and also on the physiological
characteristics of the individual.
Values for the threshold of let-go are under
consideration.
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4.4 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation b) For durations shorter than 0.75 times the
4.4.1 Waveforms consisting of specific ratios of period of the cardiac cycle:
alternating to direct current I pp Ip
I ev = -------
- = ------
-
The fibrillation hazard may be taken as being 2 2
approximately the same as with an equivalent
Hence for half wave rectification Iev is related to
alternating current Iev having the following
the r.m.s. value of the rectified current Irms by:
characteristics:
a) For shock durations longer than I ev = 2 I rms
approximately 1.5 times the period of the cardiac and for full wave rectification by:
cycle, Iev is the r.m.s. value of a current having
the same peak-to-peak value Ipp as the current of Iev = Irms
the waveform concerned:
I pp
5 Effects of alternating current with
I ev = ----------
- phase control
2 2
5.1 Waveforms and frequencies
b) For shock durations shorter than
Figure 16, shows the waveforms for symmetrical
approximately 0.75 times the period of the
and asymmetrical control.
cardiac cycle, Iev is the r.m.s. value of a current
having the same peak value Ip as the current of 5.2 Threshold of perception and threshold of
the waveform concerned: let-go
Ip As described in the preceding Sub-clauses 4.2
I ev = ------
- and 4.3, these thresholds depend on different
2 parameters.
NOTE This correlation is the less applicable the smaller the
ratio a.c. to d.c. becomes. For pure d.c. shocks of a duration
The effect of the current in producing sensation or
less than 0.1 s the threshold is equal to the corresponding inhibiting let-go is about equal to a pure a.c. with
r.m.s. value of the alternating current (see Figure 5 and the same peak value Ip. For phase control angles
Figure 8 in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 respectively). above 120° the peak values increase as a
c) In the duration range from 0.75 to 1.5 times the consequence of the decreasing duration of the
period of the cardiac cycle the amplitude current flow.
parameter changes from peak value to
5.3 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation
peak-to-peak value.
NOTE The details of the nature of the transition that takes
The thresholds differ for symmetrical and
place are subject to further studies. asymmetrical waveforms.
4.4.2 Examples of rectified alternating current 5.3.1 Symmetrical control
Figure 15, shows the waveforms for half wave and The fibrillation hazard may be taken as being
full wave rectification. For these waveforms the approximately the same as with equivalent
peak value of the current is identical with its alternating current Iev having the following
peak-to-peak value. characteristics:
The equivalent alternating current Iev is a) for shock-durations longer than
determined: approximately 1.5 times the period of the cardiac
a) For durations longer than 1.5 times the period cycle, Iev has the same r.m.s. value as the current
of the cardiac cycle by: of the relevant waveform concerned;
I pp Ip b) for shock-durations shorter than
I ev = ----------
- = ----------
- approximately 0.75 times the period of the
2 2 2 2 cardiac cycle, Iev is the r.m.s. value of a current
Hence for half wave rectification Iev is related to having the same peak value as the current of the
the r.m.s. value of the rectified current Irms by: relevant waveform concerned;
I rms
I ev = ----------
-
2
and for full wave rectification by:
I rms
I ev = ----------
-
2

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NOTE For phase control angles above 120° a rise of the 6.3 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation
threshold of fibrillation is to be expected.
Depending on the duration of shock and on the
c) in the duration range from 0.75 to 1.5 times the
degree of power control alternating currents with
period of the cardiac cycle, the amplitude
multicycle control are equally or less dangerous
parameter changes from peak to r.m.s. value.
than a.c. of the same shock duration and current
NOTE The details of the nature of the transition that takes
place are subject to further studies.
magnitude.
5.3.2 Asymmetrical control Figure 18, shows the threshold of ventricular
fibrillation measured on pigs for various degrees of
The fibrillation hazard may be taken as being power control.
approximately the same as with an equivalent
6.3.1 For shock-durations longer than
alternating current Iev having the following
approximately 1.5 times the period of the cardiac
characteristics:
cycle, the threshold depends on the degree of power
a) for shock-durations longer than control p. For p near unity it has the same r.m.s.
approximately 1.5 times the period of the cardiac value as a sinusoidal alternating current of the
cycle: Under consideration. same duration. For p near 0.1 the r.m.s. value of the
b) for shock-durations shorter than current during current conduction I1 rms is the same
approximately 0.75 times the period of the as the threshold for alternating current of a
cardiac cycle, Iev is the r.m.s. value of a current duration below 0.75 times the period of the cardiac
having the same peak value as the current of the cycle.
relevant waveform concerned. NOTE For intermediate values of p, the fibrillation threshold
NOTE 1 For phase control angles above 120° a rise of the rises from the low level shown in Figure 5 of Part 1 to the high
threshold of fibrillation is to be expected. level indicated for shock-durations below 0.1 s.
NOTE 2 Currents caused by asymmetrical control 6.3.2 For shock-durations shorter than
(see IEV 551-05-19)1) may also have d.c. components. approximately 0.75 times the period of the cardiac
cycle the r.m.s. value of the current during current
6 Effects of alternating current with conduction I1 rms is the same as that for a sinusoidal
multicycle control alternating current of the same duration.
6.1 Waveforms and frequencies
Figure 17, shows the waveforms for a degree of
power control of p = 0.67.
6.2 Threshold of perception and threshold of
let-go
As described in the preceding
Sub-clauses 4.2, 4.3, 5.2 and 5.3, these thresholds
depend on different parameters.
The threshold of perception and threshold of let-go
are under consideration.

1)
IEC Publication 50 (551): International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV), Chapter 551: Power Electronics.

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© BSI 03-1999
Figure 14 — Waveforms of currents

Figure 15 — Waveforms of rectified alternating currents

7
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Figure 16 — Waveforms of alternating currents with phase control

Ip
I1 rms = ------
- = r.m.s. value of current during current conduction
2
NOTE I1 rms is not to be confused with the r.m.s. value of current during working period I 2 rms = I 1 rms p .
Figure 17 — Waveforms of alternating currents with multicycle control

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NOTE Body current IB rms is the r.m.s. value of the current during current conduction I1 rms.
Figure 18 — Threshold of ventricular fibrillation (average values) for alternating current
with multicycle control for various degrees of power control (results of experiments
with young pigs)

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Chapter 6: Effects of unidirectional
single impulse currents of short
duration
1 General
Unidirectional single impulse currents of short
duration in the form of rectangular and sinusoidal
impulses or capacitor discharges may be a source of
danger in the case of an insulation fault of an
electric appliance containing electronic components
or when touching live parts of such equipment. It is
therefore important to establish the danger limits
for these types of currents.
For a shock-duration of 10 ms the effects described
in this chapter correspond to those given in
Chapters 2 to 5 so that IEC Publication 479 covers
the whole range of shock-durations from 0.1 ms
to 10 s for nearly all current waveforms which are of
technical interest. The content of this chapter is
based on the assumption derived from scientific
research that the principal factor for the initiation of
ventricular fibrillation for the various forms of
unidirectional impulse currents is the It or the I2t
value as for shocks of up to 10 ms duration
(see Bibliography).
2 Scope
This chapter describes the effects of current passing
through the human body in the form of single
unidirectional rectangular impulses, sinusoidal
impulses and impulses resulting from capacitor
discharges.
NOTE The effects of sequences of impulses are under
consideration.
The values specified are deemed to be applicable for
impulse durations from 0.1 ms up to and
including 10 ms. For impulse durations longer
than 10 ms the values given in Figure 5 of
Chapter 2 apply.
3 Definitions
In addition to the definitions given in Chapters 2
to 5, the following ones apply for the purpose of this
chapter:
3.1
specific fibrillating energy Fe (Ws/7 or A2s)
the minimum I2t value of a unidirectional impulse of
short duration which under given conditions
(current-path, heart-phase) Causes ventricular
fibrillation with a certain probability
2) IEC Publication 50 (801): International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV), Chapter 801: Acoustics and Electroacoustics.
10
NOTE Fe is determined by the form of the impulse as the
integral
Fe multiplied by the body resistance gives the energy dissipated
in the human body during the impulse.
3.2
specific fibrillating charge Fq (C or As)
the minimum It value of a unidirectional impulse of
short duration which under given conditions
(current-path, heart-phase) causes ventricular
fibrillation with a certain probability
NOTE Fq is determined by the form of the impulse as the
integral
3.3
time constant
the time required for the amplitude of an
exponentially decaying field quantity to decrease
1
to --e- = 0.3679 times an initial amplitude
(IEV 801-01-44)2)
3.4
shock-duration of a capacitor discharge (ti)
the time interval from the beginning of the
discharge to the time when the discharge current
has fallen to 5 % of its peak value
NOTE When the time constant of the capacitor discharge is
given by T the shock-duration of the capacitor discharge is equal
to 3 T. During the shock-duration of the capacitor discharge
practically all the energy of the impulse is dissipated.
3.5
threshold of perception
the minimum value for the charge of electricity
which under given conditions causes any sensation
to the person through whom it is flowing
3.6
threshold of pain
The maximum value of charge (It) or specific energy
(I2t) that can be applied as an impulse to a person
holding a large electrode in the hand without
causing pain
3.7
pain
an unpleasant experience such that it is not readily
accepted a second time by the subject submitted to it
NOTE Examples are an electric shock above the threshold of
pain described in Sub-clause 4.3, the sting of a bee or burn of a
cigarette.
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4 Effects of unidirectional impulse
currents of short duration
4.1 Waveforms
Figure 19, shows the forms of currents for
rectangular impulses, sinusoidal impulses and for
capacitor discharges. The following current
magnitudes have to be distinguished:
IDC = magnitude of the current of the
rectangular impulse,
IAC rms = r.m.s. value of the current of the
sinusoidal impulse,
lAC (p) = peak value of the current of the
sinusoidal impulse,
IC rms = r.m.s. value of the current of the
capacitor discharge for a duration of 3 T,
IC (p) = peak value of the capacitor discharge.
NOTE If Uc is the voltage of the capacitor at the beginning of
the discharge through the human body and Ri the initial body
resistance, IC (p) is determined by:
U
I C (p) = -------c
Ri
4.2 Determination of specific fibrillating
energy Fe
The specific fibrillating energy Fe for the different
forms of impulses dealt with in this chapter, is
determined:
a) For rectangular impulses by Fe = IDC2ti
b) For sinusoidal impulses by
c) For a capacitor discharge with a time-constant
T by
Figure 20, compares the current magnitudes for
rectangular impulses, sinusoidal impulses and a
capacitor discharge with the time constant T having
the same specific fibrillating energy Fe and the same
shock-duration ti. In this case the following
relationships exist:
© BSI 03-1999
PD 6519-2:1988
I C (p)
NOTE The relationship I DC = ------------
- is derived as follows:
6
4.3 Threshold of perception and threshold of
pain for capacitor discharge
The thresholds depend on the form of the electrodes,
on the charge of the impulse and on its peak current
value. Figure 21, shows the threshold of perception
and the threshold of pain as a function of the charge
and the charging voltage of the capacitor for a
person holding large electrodes with dry hands.
The threshold of pain in terms of specific energy is
in the order of 50 to 100 · 10–6 A2s for current paths
through the extremities and large contact areas.
4.4 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation
The threshold of ventricular fibrillation depends on
the form, duration and magnitude of the current of
the impulse, the heart phase in which the impulse
starts, the current path in the human body and on
the physiological characteristics of the person.
Experiments on animals show:
— that for impulses of short duration ventricular
fibrillation in general results only if the impulse
falls within the vulnerable period of the cardiac
cycle;
— that the specific fibrillating charge Fq or the
specific fibrillating energy Fe determines the
initiation of ventricular fibrillation for
unidirectional impulses for shock-durations
shorter than 10 ms.
Thresholds for ventricular fibrillation are shown
in Figure 22. For 50% probability of fibrillation, Fq
is of the order of 0.005 As and Fe rises from
about 0.01 A2s at an impulse duration ti = 4 ms
to 0.02 A2s for ti = 1 ms.
4.5 Examples
In order to explain the practical application of the
relationships described in this chapter, two
examples are given. The first example deals with a
capacitor discharge with a time constant of T = 1 ms
and a shock-duration ti = 3 T = 3 ms and is within
the scope of this part. In the second example, the
time constant is T = 10 ms, i.e. ti = 30 ms which
means that the limits for ventricular fibrillation are
those given in Figure 5 of Chapter 2.
11
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Example 1
Effects of capacitor discharge on the human body:
Capacitor C = 1 4F, charging
voltages 10 V, 100 V, 1 000 V and 10 000 V.
Current-path: hand-foot, initial body resistance
assumed to be Ri = 1 000 7.3)
Time constant T = 1 ms, i.e. shock-duration
ti = 3 T = 3 ms.
WC
Specific fibrillating energy Fe = I2C rmsti ≈ --------
Ri
-
Effects of shocks:

Charging voltage Uc (V) 10 100 1 000 10 000

Discharge current
Peak value IC(p) (A) 0.01 0.1 1 10
Discharge current
r.m.s. value (A)
I C (p)
IC rms = -------------
6 0.004 0.04 0.4 4
Specific charge Fq (As) 0.01 · 10–3 0.1 · 10–3 10–3 10 · 10–3
Discharge energy WC (Ws) 0.05 · 10–3 5 · 10–3 0.5 50
Specific fibrillating energy Fe
(Ri = 1 000 7) (A2s) 0.048 · 10–6 4.8 · 10–6 0.48 · 10–3 48 · 10–3
Physiological effects slight disagreeable painful ventricular
fibrillation
likely

3)
The value of Ri of 1 000 7 has been arbitrarily chosen for the purpose of this example. Not to be confused with the value of Ri
for 5 % percentile rank of Clause 6 of Chapter 1.

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Example 2
Effects of capacitor discharge on the human body:
Capacitor C = 20 4F, charging
voltage 10 V, 100 V, 1 000 V and 10 000 V.
Current-path: hand-trunk of body, initial body
resistance assumed to be Ri = 500 7.4)
Time constant T = 10 ms, i.e. shock-duration
ti = 3 T = 30 ms.5)
Effects of shocks:

Charging voltage Uc (V) 10 100 1 000 10 000

Discharge current
Peak value IC (p) (A) 0.02 0.2 2 20
Discharge current
r.m.s. value (A)
I C (p)
I C rms = -------------
6 0.008 0.08 0.8 8
Specific charge Fq (As) 10–3 10–3 10–3 200 · 10–3
a
0.2 · 2· 20 ·
Discharge energy WC (Ws) 1 · 10–3 0.1 10 1 000
Specific fibrillating energy — — — —
Fe (A2s)a
Physiological effects slight painful dangerous, but dangerous, and
ventricular ventricular
fibrillation fibrillation
unlikely likely
a As the shock duration ti is longer than 10 ms, fibrillation thresholds are to be taken from Figure 5 in Chapter 2.

4)
The value of Ri of 500 7 has been arbitrarily chosen for the purpose of this example. Not to be confused with the value of Ri for
the 5 % percentile rank of Clause 6 of Chapter 1.
5)
As the shock duration ti is longer than 10 ms, fibrillation thresholds are to be taken from Figure 5 in Chapter 2.

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Figure 19 — Forms of current for rectangular impulses, sinusoidal impulses and for
capacitor discharges

Figure 20 — Rectangular impulse, sinusoidal impulse and capacitor discharge having

the same specific fibrillating energy and the same shock-duration

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Zone A: Threshold of perception. Curve B: Typical threshold of pain.

NOTE The diagonal axes are scaled for capacitance (C) and energy (W). From the intersection of the co ordinates for charging
voltage and capacitance the charge and the energy of the impulse can be read on the appropriate axes.
Figure 21 — Threshold of perception and threshold of pain for capacitor discharges
(dry hands, large contact areas)

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The curves indicate the probability of fibrillation risks for current flowing in the path left hand to feet.
For other current paths, see Clause 5 and Table III of Chapter 2.
below C1: no fibrillation,
above C1 up to C2:low risk of fibrillation (up to 5 % probability),
above C2 up to C3:average risk of fibrillation (up to 50 % probability),
above C3: high risk of fibrillation (more than 50 % probability).
Figure 22 — Threshold of ventricular fibrillation

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Bibliography 6)
Chapter 4
1 Dalziel, C.F. and T.H. Mansfield: Effect of frequency on perception currents. Electrical
Engineering, 69: 794–800 (Sept. 1950), AIEE Transactions, 69: pp. 1162-1168 (1950).
2 Dalziel, C.F., E. Odgen and C.E. Abott: Effect of frequency on let-go currents. AIEE Transactions
(Electrical Engineering), 62: pp. 745-750 (Dec. 1943).
3 Geddes, L.A., L.E. Baker, P. Cabler and Brittain: Response to passage of sinusoidal current through
the body. Journal of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation,
Vol. 5 (1971), No. 1, pp. 13-18.
4 Weirich, J., St. Hohnloser and H. Antoni: Factors determining the susceptibility of the isolated guinea pig
heart to ventricular fibrillation induced by sinusoidal alternating current at frequencies from 1 to 1 000 Hz.
Basic Res. Cardiol. Vol. 78, No. 6 (1983), pp. 604–616.
Chapter 5
1 Knickerbocker, G.G.: Fibrillating Parameters of direct and alternating (20 Hz) currents separately and in
combination. Conference Paper IEEE, No. C 72-247-0 (1972).
2 Jacobsen, J., S. Buntenkötter und H.J. Reinhard: Experimentelle Untersuchungen an Schweinen zur
Frage der Mortalität durch sinusförmige, phasenangeschnittene sowie gleichgerichtete elektrische Ströme.
Biomedizinische Technik, Vol. 20 (1975), No. 3, p. 99.
3 Reinhold, K.: Die Gefährdung durch schwingungspaketartig gesteuerte elektrische Ströme. Institut zur
Erforschung elektrischer Unfälle, Berufsgenossenschaft der Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik, Köln,
Medizinisch-Technischer Bericht 1976.
Chapter 6
1 Biegelmeier, G., E. Homberger: Über die Wirkungen von unipolaren Impulsströmen auf den menschlichen
Körper. Bull. ASE/UCS 73 (1982) 18, S. 958–967.
The effect of unipolar current pulses on the human body. Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics
Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland 20707, 1983.
Effets des courants d’impulsions unipolaires sur le corps humain. Bull. ASE/UCS Vol. 74 (1983),
n° 22, p. 1298.
2 Stauss, O.: Die Wirkungen von Kondensatorentladungen auf den menschlichen Körper.
Elektrizitätswirtschaft (1934), H. 23, S. 508.
3 Kouwenhoven, W.B.: Effects of capacitor discharges on the heart. Trans. Amer. Inst. Electr. Eng.,
No. 56-6 (1956).
4 Peleska, B.: Cardiac arrhythmias following condenser discharges and dependence upon strength of
current and phase of cardiac cycle. Circulation research, Vol. XIII, July 1963, p. 21-31.
5 Peleska, B.: Cardiac arrhythmias following condenser discharges led through an inductance. Circulation
research, Vol. XVI, January 1965, p. 11-18.
6 Dalziel, Ch.F.: A study of the hazards of impulse currents. AIEE-Transactions, Part III, Power Apparatus
and Systems, Vol. 72, 1953,p. 1032-1043.
7 Green, H.L., J. Ross and P. Kurn: Danger levels of short electrical shocks from 50 Hz supply. International
conference Divetech. 1981, London.
8 Kouwenhoven, W.B., G.G. Knickerbocker, R.W. Chesnut, W.R. Milnor and D.J. Sass: A–C shocks on
varying parameters affecting the heart. Trans. Amer. Inst. Electr. Eng., Part I, Bd. 78 (1959), S. 163-169.

6)
This list is not exhaustive. A more comprehensive bibliography has been published by UNIPEDE (Union Internationale des
Producteurs et Distributeurs d’Energie Electrique).

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