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They say current is what kills people and not voltage but why then in electronics does high voltage burn your components but high current does not?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
This is a 'chicken and egg' situation. The current passing through your body is determined by the voltage applied across your body, together with the resistance of the current path. So whilst it is true that it is the current that harms you, the voltage has to be high enough to cause the necessary amount of current to flow. In other words, it is equally valid to say that it is the voltage level that causes electrocution.
An analogy might be, which kills you: the height through which you fall, or hitting the ground? Obviously, hitting the ground is what kills you, but the height from which you fall determines how hard you are going to hit the ground.
As far as damage to electrical circuits is concerned, excessive voltage is responsible for insulation breakdown, while current is responsible for components to overheat. So high current will most certainly damage those components.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
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What is the purpose of learning about electronics?
Without understanding the basic ideal components you cannot hope to begin to understand the models used for real components nor can you hope to understand the circuits these components are used in. It is kinda like having to learn the alphabet before learning to read or write. Learn the parts before learning how they work together.
How does voltage and current affect resistance?
No, resistance is not affected by either voltage or current. Reading the various answers to similar questions on this topic, there seems to be a misunderstanding of Ohm's Law in which people think that, because R = V/I, then a change in either voltage or current must cause a change in resistance. This is most definitely not the case. This is because resistance is the constant of proportionality in the equation. The equation, quoted, merely tells us what the resistance of the circuit happens to be for a given ratio of voltage and current.Resistance is only affected by the length, cross-sectional area, and resistivity of the conductor. Because resistivity is affected by temperature then, indirectly, temperature also affects resistance. So, if the current flowing through a conductor causes its temperature to change, then so, too, will its resistance -but, it is the temperature that is causing the change in resistance, not the current.
What is the zener point?
A diode (some people incorrectly call them rectifiers) is a semiconductor device that allows a current to flow in one direction. A Zener diode allows a reverse to current to flow at a defined voltage. A common application for them is as a voltage regulator. Named for C M Zener , US Physicist. A zener diode is a diode and like all diodes it will conduct in both directions. If a reversed voltage is applied it will breakdown and conduct current. Most diodes when they breakdown the reversed voltage cannot be predictable. However a zener diode when they do breakdown in the reverse voltage mode that voltage can be made as predictable and remain +/- % of the breakdown voltage. Therefore this steady voltage can be used as a regulator for instance or a definite voltage drop if need be.
What is the voltage when current is 0.2 amperes?
What some people write as 0.2 Amps is the same as 200 milliAmps or 2x1/10Amp.
What is a current voltage and resistance?
Many people find the following analogy useful. Instead of a wire, think of a garden hose. Instead of current, think of water flowing through the hose. Instead of voltage, think of water pressure. And instead of resistance, think of either a crimp in the hose or a narrow section of hose that restricts water flow. After you get your brain around that idea, consider Ohm's Law, which is the most fundamental rule in the study of electricity. Ohm's Law is simply: V = IR, where V = voltage, I = current, and R = resistance. Ohm's Law can be stated in two other ways: I = V/R and R = V/I.
In a series circuit what happens to the current if you increase the number of components in the circuit?
The current (amps) will remain constant, but the voltage will drop.
Which electrical component regulates current and voltage?
People have used a ballast for current regulation and you can use a breakdown diode for voltage regulation.
Why do people only consider voltage signals in communication electronics?
Voltage Signal Is considered Because Voltage Signal's this case digital signal] is the carrier of the data [in binary form]
What is the purpose of learning about electronics?
Without understanding the basic ideal components you cannot hope to begin to understand the models used for real components nor can you hope to understand the circuits these components are used in. It is kinda like having to learn the alphabet before learning to read or write. Learn the parts before learning how they work together.
How do you create current from Voltage?
Electric current is what flows when the voltage is applied across a resistance. Electrons flow from the negative end to the positive end. Strictly, if everything was at the same voltage no current will flow because there is no distinction, positive or negative between the ends. So people often talk more accurately of voltage difference, or potential difference.
Merits and demerits of direct current distribution?
In direct current the voltage and current remain the same at all times. Direct current is more efficient when traveling longer distances, but has a higher loss rate when distributing to many people and its much harder to change the voltage.
How To Use A Voltage Converter For Your Imported Electronics?
A lot of people have lost their precious electronics because they did not suspect that they needed to use a voltage converter transformer or they simply did not know how to use one. If you bought your electronics in Europe or Asia and then brought them home to the USA then chances are the specifications will require that you use a voltage converter with them. Otherwise you will blow up your electronic product or it will simply not come on at all. There is no reason to be intimidated when it comes to using a voltage converter transformer, it is actually easier than it looks or sounds. The following steps below will show you how to easily use a voltage converter on electronics operating on 220v. 1. Your first step should be to take a look behind the voltage converter transformer. Here you are supposed to find the input voltage selection panel. It is usually red in color on most models of voltage converters. The input setting will depend on your current location. If you are in the USA you will have to set the input voltage to 110v. If you are in Europe however it will have to be set to an input of 220v. 2. Turn the converter around and take a look at the front. At the front of the input converter you will find a universal socket. It is called a universal socket because it means that it can be used for both plugs that need to be grounded and those that do not. You will not be required to get another adapter to fit in your electronics’ adapter. This universal socket is output source. This is where you will have to plug in your 220v electronic product. 3. After you have plugged in the 220v product, you then need to switch on the voltage converter transformer and then your product. You should never switch on the electronic product and then the voltage converter. There may be a bit of current still left in the converter which compounded with the new settings you just chose could permanently damage your product.
If getting electrocuted at 10000 volts can kill you why is it that the majority of people survive lightning strikes?
lightning is pure voltage with no current. Current is what kills you not the amount of voltage
Which one can kill a person between high current or high voltage?
If you think as your body as a complex resistance (you can think of it as a bag of electrolytes!), then the higher the voltage across your body, the higher the resulting current through your body. And it only takes a fraction of an ampere to cause your heart to fibrillate. So, although it is the current that does the damage, it is the voltage that causes the current to flow. Fewer people survive the effects of a high-voltage shock, as the energy levels cause massive burning and tissue damage, even if the heart is unaffected.
Why foreign country are use 110v current?
The USA uses a power supplyt voltage of 110 to 120 volts. It is foreign to people who are outside the USA. The lower voltage is held to be safer in the home.
Which is most dangerous between high capacitance and high voltage regarding capacitors?
As from a human contact perspective: High voltage alone poses not much of a danger if the current is very low. It may be rather uncomfortable but a normal healthy person with no heart disorder should not be endangered with high voltage and very low current. Low voltage capable of high current poses not much of a threat to humans either as long as our skin is dry. The combination of High voltage capable of high current is deadly to most humans. A capacitor of high capacitance is normally a low voltage one. High voltage is normally found only in very low capacitances. Which of them that are most dangerous is a bit difficult to answer without more information. A high capacitance capacitor with low voltage may explode violently when connected to high voltage source capable of high current. This is very dangerous. Although not killingly dangerous, you can easily loose an eye or two. A high voltage capacitor is not likely to explode due to high voltage. The current it carries when charged can be rather uncomfortable but not likely dangerous as in life threatning. This because the leads are so close together (current would need to go across heart in order to cause lethal problems in normal healthy people) so unless you force yourself to hold one lead with one hand and then touches the other lead, then it poses as no particular threat. Even if doing that, the current carried by the capacitor is not likely to be able to cause heart to stop. It might make a jump though. I would place my bet on High Capacitance due to the danger of explosion. Be sensible when experimenting with electronics, and you should not need to think about this :-)
Why do signs read Danger-High Voltage rather than Danger-High current?
Electricity is transferred with high voltage and low current to reduce transmission loss ( I2R , where R= resistance of wire). As high voltage is present in transmission lines, Danger-high voltage is written.
