Introduction
Knowledge in electrical safety is essential since it helps in the handling of devices that utilize electricity. In fact, application of electricity has become increasingly important in homes, industries and schools. Knowledge in electrical safety is therefore significant to minimize dangers posed by electric current. Electric shock is known to cause pain and trauma in people. Additionally, it can cause paralysis of vital body organs or death. Therefore, understanding how to save oneself from electric shock is very important. Interestingly, different ideas and myths have come up on electric circuits. This paper will investigate whether it is safe or dangerous to touch electric circuits (Kuphaldt 1).
Effects of Electric circuit
To explore the dangers associated with electric circuits, it is necessary that one understands the basics of electric circuit. Electric circuits should be designed in a manner that offers safety to the individual it is intended for use. For instance, it is essential that household appliances utilize safe circuit designs, which minimizes instances of shock. Modern household appliances like toasters and iron boxes are made with a conductive case, which is shelved from the live wire. This helps to protect users from accidental shocks. Additionally, iron box is usually made with considerations on safety for the user. Most electric circuits have live, neutral and earth connections. The wires corresponding to each of the named connections are usually insulated to avoid contact with each other. Additionally, the named wires are usually insulated from touching any conductor such as a metal case, which can be touched by users. In essence, this shows how dangerous it is to touch an electric circuit. The live component of the circuit is quite dangerous to individuals. However, it has been noted severally that birds step on lives wires but nothing happens. Actually, it should be noted that for current to flow, potential difference must be created. For instance, a battery has the positive and negative contacts. When the two points are connected in a circuit, current is forced to flow because of the potential difference created between the positive and negative charges.
Components of an electric circuit include the hot and the neutral parts. Usually, the hot part is referred to as the live wire in alternating circuits. When one touches the hot wire, through which current flows at varying potential difference, the individual risks suffering from shock hazard. On the other hand, when one touches the neutral part, then the individual can or cannot suffer from shock hazard depending on whether the circuit is grounded or not. When the circuit is grounded, neutral wire can be safe for touch. However, this is also risky because of unpredictable accidents, which involves electric leakages. Electric current flows through a complete circuit, if there is a potential difference across the circuit. Therefore, when one touches the circuit, the individual offers opposition to flow of current. Essentially, an individual that touches a complete circuit at the hot wire opposes the flow of electrons. From current electricity, it is known that opposing the flow of electrons results in dissipation of energy. Energy, which is dissipated usually, comes off in form of heat. Therefore, current heats the body and can burn essential body organs. Consequently, if the amount of heat given off is adequate then significant body tissues can burn. Additionally, electric current can affect the nervous system, which process several functions through the spinal cord, motor organs and the brain, among others.
The processes of nerve cells enable human beings to respond, memorize, move as well as think, among other functions. Usually, the nerve cells work like transducers to communicate with other neurons. In essence, when electric current encounters a body, it will try to override the small currents found in nerve cells. Such an effect may result in contraction of muscles since electric current tends to overload the nervous system. The individual may take long periods to recover fully from electric shock. In worse situations, the individual may remain paralyzed. However, it should be noted that electric shock occurs when there is potential difference created in touching the circuit. Potential difference is created when an individual touches a live wire, which usually has a high voltage while at the same time stepping on the ground, which has low or no voltage. Potential difference will therefore cause flow of current through the body of that individual thereby leading to electric shock (Kuphaldt 1).
It is dangerous to touch electric circuit
From the discussion above, it can be noted that it is not entirely correct to say that touching an electric wire is dangerous as this depends on the type of wire touched as well as the kind of circuit in place. In essence, the kind of wire touched is essential. For instance, one can touch the grounded neutral wire since it has a common potential difference. However, it is not safe to touch a live or hot wire because of its high potential difference, which can lead to discharge of electrons through the body. However, given serious nature of electric shock, it is necessary to take precaution. Precaution informs that it is dangerous to touch electric circuit unless there is reasonable evidence to show that the circuit is open. An open circuit does not discharge electrons since there is no potential difference across the circuit. However, when the circuit is completed (usually by connecting the switch) the circuit becomes dangerous to human beings.
Before touching an electric circuit, one should ensure that the circuit is open, additionally, one should confirm if the circuit is grounded. A grounded circuit can be touched at the common point where there is no potential difference. However, ungrounded circuits are quite dangerous especially in alternating circuits, which may be grounded far away from the point of touch thereby causing potential difference. It should also be noted that birds do not experience shock when they touch on a complete circuit because they have only one point of contact. In essence, there exists no potential difference since birds touch on a common point.
Conclusion
Touching wires in a complete electric circuit is dangerous. However, touching wires in an open electric circuit is safe. Therefore, it is essential that individuals confirm that the circuit is open before touching. However, if one has to touch the wires in a complete circuit, then that individual should do so with an appropriate insulation. Wires in an electric circuit are dangerous to humans because electric current can be discharged through them. Electric current has the capacity to burn vital body organs. Additionally, it can overload nerve cells thereby causing paralysis. In short, one should consider all the safety measures before touching an electric circuit (Kuphaldt 1).
Works Cited
Kuphaldt, Tony. Lessons in Electric Circuits. 2004. Web.