• Question: how many volts do you need to kill someone intently?

    Asked by myapotter to Mike, Pip, Tianfu, Tim, Tom on 3 Jul 2012.
    • Photo: Tim Stephens

      Tim Stephens answered on 3 Jul 2012:

      I think that you can kill someone with about 60V or so, but it depends on where the voltage is applied. If you put it across the heart, you need less than if it were in an arm or leg.

      There are safety standards that people who make electronic devices have to conform to which specify the maximum voltage and current that a person can be exposed to without causing harm.

    • Photo: Tom Lister

      Tom Lister answered on 3 Jul 2012:

      You really want a high current if you want to hurt somebody. The defibrillator we have at work for stopping peoples hearts (in an emergency) uses only 1V, but must have a high current.

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