General > General Technical Chat
Can a neon sign transformer with an output of 12000V and 30mA kill you?
StuUK:
--- Quote from: Hero999 on February 01, 2016, 08:49:07 pm ---
--- Quote from: dfmischler on February 01, 2016, 08:17:26 pm ---If you grabbed one lead in each hand while it was running it could very well kill you, if it can actually achieve 30 mA in that situation. Some people say that it "should" take more current to kill you, but there are a lot of variables including your own medical condition.
--- End quote ---
Yes, there's a risk of death and serious injury such as burns and damage to the heart and nervous system.
An RCD my trip at 30mA but the current doesn't flow for long.
--- End quote ---
Surely that depends on the type, if it's isolated then how would the RCD trip?
Florin:
I really want to thank you for all your answers :-+, it looks like high voltage it's really dangerous even if the current is low
Srbel:
30 mA is NOT low!
Kilrah:
--- Quote from: Florin on February 02, 2016, 10:34:27 am ---it looks like high voltage it's really dangerous even if the current is low
--- End quote ---
NO! You obviously didn't read much of the answers you got.
Again it IS that current that is dangerous, the voltage only makes sure that amount of current will flow even through a high resistance (body).
As explained in posts above the problem is that 30mA is NOT low when it's going through a human, and is well into the "can cause heart failure" range.
CatalinaWOW:
--- Quote from: Halcyon on February 02, 2016, 07:26:32 am ---Let's err on the side of caution on this one. 'Tasers' output ~1200VDC upon contact (unsure of the amperage). They have been known to kill people who have major heart defects, on drugs etc... etc... They call it a "less than lethal" option for a reason. A more politically correct description could be "It might kill you... just depends".
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This may be one of the best answers. The anecdotal evidance of survival indicates that a neon transformer is not be a reliable way to kill you. But unless you are suicidal you don't want to rely on this lack of reliability. Some previous responses to my previous answer indicate that some didn't understand the spirit of my answer. I don't think anyone knows the odds or understands all of the variables involved, but there is a very real chance of death from improper contact with these things, a very real chance of permanent injury and a 100% chance of an extremely unpleasant experience with improper contact with one of these transformers. That all adds up to treating them with respect and the appropriate safety measures. Based on my own experience that includes making absolutely certain that there are no unintended (sneak path) connections back to you or anyone else. At these voltages that can be an involved process.
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