Concrete Floors and Electrical Safety
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Will I get electrocuted even though I am standing on concrete? The Potential Electrical Shock. © By: Dave Rongey |
Electrical Shock Potential and Grounded Surfaces
[ad#block]Question: Will I get electrocuted even though I am standing on concrete?
Here is the scenario: I am standing on a concrete floor in a basement wearing rubber soled sneakers. I grab a hold of a metal sheathed wire with my right hand. My left hand is in my pocket. The other end of the metal sheath is connected to the 120V bus along with the ground wire belonging to the same cable, say a 3 wire. Will I get electrocuted even though I am standing on concrete?
This electrical question came from: Ryan, a Homeowner from Vancouver, BC.
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Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Ryan.
The Potential Electrical Shock
Ryan, electricity will take the least path of resistance to any grounded source, and the higher the voltage the greater the potential. Being well insulated and not coming into contact with energized surfaces or conductors will reduce the possibility of electrical shock, however never working on energized wires or components is always safest. The body can conduct electricity to a grounded source, weather it is a concrete floor or another wire that is connected to a grounded system.
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