Electic shock from welding

I've always been aware of the danger to the eyes from arc rays and if anybody is around I warn them.

My question to any experenced welder reading this post would they please share some knowledge about the dangers from electric shock.

Not a real pleasant thing and gets your attention, but I've been hurt worse.

That said, taking a few minutes to be safe won't hurt a thing (sounds like a safety slogan?).

Dry gloves + dry pad to kneel/lay on and you'll never have a problem.

Shortcuts = Accidents.

1. Any voltage over about 40 volts is potentially dangerous; your skin is a good enough insulator that lower voltages generally won't shock you. Certainly any welder can generate enough voltage to hurt you under the right conditions.

2. DC power at a given voltage is generally more dangerous than AC because AC tends to travel on the outside of a conductor (your body in this case), while DC is evenly distributed through a conductor.

3. Welders are highly inductive, so they tend to generate voltage spikes when you interrupt the current through them. (Just like an automotive coil.) So when you break your arc, the voltage from the welder can momentarily spike to several times its steady state voltage.

Point is no electrical current running through your body is healthy. whether you feel it or not.

I saw the previous posts as an article while looking for info to support my claim a few posts down, but didn't dare post it.

Wonder when the electric exercise devices will see lawsuits for some muscle tick it caused.

Or when we start to see health effects from all the RF devices comming into use in the home. After all RF ID uses current from the RF signal to power its chip. power enough for it to radio back its info.

Oops -- now who's talking in absolutes?

One technique I've heard of for improving healing of badly-broken bones involves passing small electrical currents through the area.

Go here:

Link

then in the "Search" box, type in welder

Most who receive a shock from their welder have not properly connected the ground clamp. The clamp should be as close as possible to the area of the weld and connected in a place that was ground clean. The ground clamp itself should be periodically inspected to ensure that the cable is seated properly in the clamps base with no excessive fraying. If the clamp surface contacts are compromised by spatter build up this should be removed. A bad ground can easily be detected as the clamp will get hot if resistance is present.

Both cables, ground and electrode, should be inspected for cracks in the insulation. The electrode holder should also be inspected for good cable connection with no excess fraying.

In short, electricity takes the path of least resistance. Make sure it isn't you.
HTH,
Steve

As Nolan indicated, 6 volts is not enough to do anything. I will personally put one wet hand on each terminal of the biggest 6 or 12 volt battery you can find. In fact, I'll hold on to one terminal and put my tongue on the other of a 12 volt battery if you're willing to buy lunch when I barely feel it. And no, not only have I never heard of a mechanic being electrocuted by 12 volts(I was a mechanic for quite a few years), who ever told you it "does not happen often but it happens" did you a disservice. This is one of those situations where I'm guessing I'll never change your mind. In fact, I'm beginning to wish I'd never brought it up. But I assure you I am giving you good information...Al English

http://www.zetatalk.com/health/theal04q.htm

I'm not one of those who has to have the last word, that's not why I'm responding.

Admittedly motor windings, relay coils, the ignition coil, or a capacitor, when energized buy 6 or 12 volts, can cause a shock. However, I wouldn't have posed the challenge I did without already knowing the outcome. I hesitate to admit this, but I have applied 12 volts directly to a cut just to see what would happen. At worst a slight burning sensation is felt. I have also tried the tongue thing. If the tongue is pushed firmly against the terminal it cannot be felt. If only a small spot is allowed to contact, a small discomfort sometimes occurs. And, I agree that an extended application couldn't do you any good. I read the link you posted. Without going into a lot of detail I'll just say that the poster's statements are misleading, uninformed, and are based on an incomplete understanding of the physics involved.

I hope I didn't come off like I was on your case. My only purpose for coming here is to learn things and help people. I will also shut up now...Al English

I also been taught that the current(amps) is what constricts the muscles and causes deaths as the more current the person being shocked by can not let go because of the muscle contrations where as being hit with high voltage and sizeable current will usually blow off or burn off the offending body part.

That being said the most dangerous electrical shock that causes the most deaths is in fact 115vac at 10amps because of the muscle contrations is causes.

IMO high current always deserves greatest respect and more so than high voltage.

T_Bone

Everyone has a different tolerance to electrical shock. Most handle it well enough that it doesn't bother them other than discomfort to temporary major pain.

Where most major injuries comes from is the reaction to the shock, jerking your arm into a sharp corner, bumping your head, falling off a ladder etc.

Scratch start Tig welding will probably give you your biggest "hit" while welding as you can get hung on the filler rod to the tungsten to ground. Such a good feeling when that happens. lol

Now if your talking the high voltage input side of the welding machine, all bets are off!

T_Bone

As I remember the open circuit, no load, voltage across the output leads of your welder is about 110V. That drops to around 12 volts when a weld is in progress. While I've never heard of someone being electrocuted by a welder, as you can see, there is more than enough power available to do it. At the very least getting shocked isn't something you'd want to do very often(I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit I have ample experience in this area). Some people believe that in heaven you persist in the manner in which you died. How would you feel about carrying around an electrode holder with your hair standing up like Little Richard for the rest of eternity? Be careful...Al English

The "one hand rule"? Could you please explain?

In my case, there was enough clearance that I didn't gash my arm on anything when the muscles contracted (I also didn't make good solid contact anywhere -- that probably didn't hurt either).

Link

Then click on "Electrical safety"