High Voltage AC/DC Effect on Human Body

ElectroBOOM
6 Oct 201404:22
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this electrifying experiment, the creator explores the pain threshold of different voltages on human skin. By constructing a simple circuit with capacitors and diodes, the video demonstrates the effects of 120V AC, 170V DC, and 340V DC. The creator emphasizes the dangers of high voltage and the importance of proper safety measures, including the correct selection and orientation of capacitors. The experiment reveals that while AC voltages can be more harmful due to the body's capacitive properties, higher DC voltages cause significant pain but are less likely to be lethal.

Takeaways
  • 🔌 The experiment involves testing the pain sensation from different voltages applied to the skin, comparing 120V AC, 170V DC, and 340V DC.
  • ⚡️ A simple circuit with two capacitors and two diodes is constructed to achieve the desired voltage levels safely.
  • ⚠️ The video script emphasizes the extreme danger of working with high voltages and advises against replicating the experiment as shown.
  • 🔋 Capacitors used in the circuit are 150 microfarad, 400V rated, to handle the maximum voltage of 340V DC.
  • 🔍 The script demonstrates the importance of understanding the polarity of capacitors and the risks of connecting them incorrectly.
  • 📊 The experiment shows that 120V AC is very dangerous and can cause severe pain or even death.
  • 💡 The first capacitor in the circuit is expected to have a voltage of 170V DC across it, which is equal to the peak of the AC signal.
  • 🌟 The human body's capacitive property allows AC signals to pass through more easily than DC signals, which are blocked by the body's resistance.
  • 💡 The second capacitor in the circuit is expected to have a voltage of 340V DC across it, which causes more pain than the 170V DC but less than the 120V AC.
  • 💡 A light bulb test demonstrates that the 340V DC can light a bulb more brightly than 170V DC, but causes less pain than 120V AC.
  • 🔬 The video serves as a demonstration of the differences in how the human body reacts to AC and DC currents, highlighting the body's natural resistance to DC.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The main focus of the video is to demonstrate and compare the pain sensation of different voltage levels when applied to the skin, specifically 120 volt AC, 170 volt DC, and 340 volt DC.

  • Why does the video creator warn against replicating the circuit as shown?

    -The video creator warns against replication because the circuit involves dangerously high voltage levels that can lead to severe injury or death if not handled properly.

  • What is the purpose of the simple circuit built by the creator?

    -The purpose of the simple circuit is to step down and convert 120 volt AC to 170 volt DC and 340 volt DC using capacitors and diodes, to explore the effects of these different voltages on the human body.

  • Why are electrolytic capacitors polarized and what happens if they are connected backwards?

    -Electrolytic capacitors are polarized because they have a specific positive and negative terminal, and connecting them backwards can cause them to fail or even explode due to the reverse voltage.

  • What voltage rating did the creator choose for the capacitors and why?

    -The creator chose 150 microfarad, 400 volt capacitors because the maximum voltage the capacitors would be charged to is 340 volt DC, which is the highest voltage tested in the video.

  • What is the difference in sensation between touching 120 volt AC and 170 volt DC?

    -Touching 120 volt AC is described as very painful and potentially lethal, whereas touching 170 volt DC causes barely a noticeable tingle on the skin, indicating that AC is more harmful to the human body at the same voltage level.

  • How does the video demonstrate the difference in power provided by AC and DC voltages?

    -The video creator demonstrates this by connecting 60-watt light bulbs to the 120 volt AC input and the 170 volt DC and 340 volt DC outputs. The bulb connected to the 170 volt DC and 340 volt DC runs much brighter, showing that these voltages provide more power.

  • What happens when the creator touches the 340 volt DC?

    -When the creator touches the 340 volt DC, they exclaim 'ouch, ouch' indicating that it hurts much more than the 170 volt DC, but not as bad as the 120 volt AC.

  • Why does the human body allow AC signals to pass through more easily than DC signals?

    -The human body has a capacitive property that allows AC signals to pass through more easily by changing direction with the alternating current, while the resistance of the body blocks the DC signal more effectively.

  • How does the video explain the behavior of a capacitor with AC and DC signals?

    -The video explains that a capacitor behaves differently with AC and DC signals. With DC, the signal gets blocked at the capacitor plates, while with AC, the signal can change direction and pass through the capacitor plates due to its alternating nature.

  • What safety advice does the video provide regarding working with high voltage?

    -The video advises that one must be extremely careful when working with high voltage, ensuring that capacitors are connected with the correct polarity and are rated to handle the voltage levels involved. It also emphasizes not to replicate the exact setup as it can be lethal.

Outlines
00:00
🔌 Experimenting with High Voltage Electricity

The video script describes an experiment where the creator intends to demonstrate the pain of electricity at different voltages, specifically 120V AC, 170V DC, and 340V DC, across the skin. The experiment is set up using a simple circuit with two capacitors and two diodes. The creator warns about the dangers of high voltage and advises against replicating the experiment as it could lead to severe injury or death. The script also explains the importance of using polarized capacitors with the correct voltage rating and demonstrates the differences in sensation when touching the various voltages. Additionally, the experiment compares the brightness of light bulbs powered by AC and DC voltages, highlighting the body's capacitive reaction to AC currents versus the resistance to DC currents.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Electricity
Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the flow of electric charge. In the context of the video, it is the central element being tested for its effects on human sensation at different voltages. The video script discusses the pain experienced due to electric shock, particularly distinguishing between the effects of alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC).
💡Voltage
Voltage, measured in volts, is the electrical potential difference between two points. It is a critical factor in determining the force with which electric charge will move through a conductor. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding voltage levels, as higher voltages can be more harmful or even fatal when contacted by a human body.
💡Capacitors
Capacitors are electronic components that store and release electrical energy in a circuit. They consist of two conductive plates separated by an insulator. In the video, capacitors are used to demonstrate the effects of different voltages on the human body, with specific attention to their polarity and voltage rating.
💡Polarity
Polarity refers to the separation of positive and negative electrical charges in a component or circuit. In the context of capacitors, polarity is crucial as they have designated positive and negative terminals. The video script emphasizes the danger of connecting capacitors with the wrong polarity, as it can lead to their destruction.
💡Circuit
A circuit is a path through which electric current flows, typically consisting of various electronic components like capacitors and diodes. The video describes the assembly of a simple circuit to test the effects of different voltages on the human body, highlighting the dangers of high voltage and the importance of proper circuit design.
💡DC (Direct Current)
Direct Current (DC) is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Unlike AC, DC maintains a constant direction and intensity, which affects how it interacts with the human body. The video script discusses the relatively lower pain experienced when touching 170 volt DC and 340 volt DC compared to 120 volt AC.
💡AC (Alternating Current)
Alternating Current (AC) is the periodic flow of electric charge that changes direction and magnitude. AC is the form of electricity commonly used in homes and businesses. The video script highlights that AC can be more harmful to the human body than DC due to its ability to pass through the body's resistance more easily.
💡Conductive Property
Conductive property refers to the ability of a material to allow the flow of electric current. The human body, due to its含水量 and electrolytes, has a capacitive property that allows AC signals to pass through more readily than DC. This difference in conduction explains the varying levels of pain experienced in the video when touching different types of current.
💡Resistance
Resistance is the opposition that a material offers to the flow of electric current. In the context of the video, the human body's resistance plays a role in how it interacts with different types of electric currents. The script notes that while AC signals are less resisted, DC signals are more significantly blocked by the body's resistance, leading to less pain.
💡Safety Precautions
Safety precautions are measures taken to prevent accidents or injuries. The video script repeatedly emphasizes the importance of safety when dealing with high voltages, including the proper selection and handling of electronic components, as well as the dangers of improper use.
💡Electrolytic Capacitors
Electrolytic capacitors are a type of capacitor that uses an electrolyte to separate the conductive plates and store charge. They are characterized by their large capacitance values and voltage ratings. The video script specifically mentions the use of electrolytic capacitors and the risks associated with improper handling, such as incorrect polarity connection.
Highlights

The experiment involves testing the pain sensation of different voltages on human skin.

The video demonstrates the application of 120 volt AC, 170 volt DC, and 340 volt DC on the skin.

A simple circuit with two capacitors and two diodes is constructed for the experiment.

The experimenter warns of the dangers of high voltage and advises against replication without proper safety measures.

Polarized capacitors are used and the importance of correct polarity is emphasized to prevent damage.

Capacitors must be rated to handle the voltage to which they will be subjected.

150 microfarad, 400 volt capacitors are chosen for their ability to handle the expected voltages.

The experimenter shares a personal experience of the pain caused by 120 and 220 volt AC.

A test is conducted to measure the voltage across the first capacitor, confirming the presence of 170 volt DC.

When touching 170 volt DC, the experimenter feels a slight tingling sensation but no significant pain.

A comparison is made using 60-watt light bulbs to demonstrate the difference in power output between AC and DC voltages.

The experimenter experiences significantly more pain when touching 340 volt DC compared to 170 volt DC.

The light bulb test shows that 340 volt DC can power a bulb more brightly than AC, but causes less pain.

The human body's capacitive property is explained as the reason why AC is more harmful than DC.

The symbol of a capacitor is introduced to explain its function in the experiment.

The behavior of capacitors under DC and AC signals is described to illustrate the experiment's scientific basis.

Transcripts

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Electrical ExperimentPain ComparisonHigh VoltageAC vs DCSafety WarningCapacitor UseElectrical PropertiesHuman Body ResponseDIY CircuitElectromagnetism