Why Does 32V AC Pose More Risk Than 32V DC for Electric Shock and Injury?

The discussion explains why 32V AC poses a greater risk of electric shock and injury compared to 32V DC. AC current at typical mains frequencies (50-60 Hz) can cause ventricular fibrillation at much lower currents (around 60 mA RMS) than DC, which requires significantly higher currents (300-500 mA) to induce fibrillation. This is because AC reverses direction multiple times per second, disrupting the heart's electrical signals and causing fibrillation, whereas DC tends to cause muscle contraction or "locking" without fibrillation. Additionally, 32V AC is usually specified as an RMS value, meaning its peak voltage is about 1.414 times higher (~45V peak), increasing its potential to drive harmful current through the body. The severity of electric shock depends primarily on the current flowing through the body, which is influenced by voltage and body resistance (typically around 500 ohms internally). Lower voltages like 5V or 12V DC are generally safer due to insufficient current to cause lethal effects. Medical defibrillation uses high-energy DC pulses to reset the heart rhythm, not AC. Overall, AC is more hazardous at lower voltages due to its alternating nature and higher effective peak voltage compared to DC at the same RMS voltage.
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