Our Safety Trainer has always stated that the number is close to 50 milliamps to stop your heart. The path thru your body definitely matters as to if your heart is affected by the shock. A shock from hand to hand, is alot worse than from the fingers to the forearm of an arm. Also, if the skin is wet or dry affects the severity of a shock. As wet skin conducts much better than dry skin.
I found the following on the OSHA website.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/eleccurrent.htmlCurrent level (in milliamperes) Probable effect on human body
1 mA Perception level. Slight tingling sensation. Still dangerous under certain conditions.
5 mA Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing. Average individual can let go. However, strong involuntary reactions to shocks in this range may lead to injuries.
6-30 mA Painful shock, muscular control is lost. This is called the freezing current or "let-go" range.
50-150 mA Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular contractions. Individual cannot let go. Death is possible.
1000-4300 mA Ventricular fibrillation (the rhythmic pumping action of the heart ceases.) Muscular contraction and nerve damage occur. Death is most likely.
10,000 mA Cardiac arrest, severe burns and probable death.
Bob
