Table of contents
- What is electricity?
- How is electricity generated and produced?
- How is the amperage calculated?
- Direct current, alternating current, three-phase current and heavy current
- What is meant by alternating current?
- Calculate alternating current
- What is direct current?
- Calculate direct current
- What is the difference between direct current and alternating current?
- What is three-phase current?
- Calculate three-phase current
- What is heavy current?
- What is power current?
- What is the difference between heavy current and three-phase current?
- Summary: What is high voltage current
- Relationship between current and voltage
- Connection between power and electricity
- Further questions about electricity
- What dangers arise from electric current
- Conclusion
Electricity is omnipresent: We get up, switch on the light, use the electric toothbrush and activate the coffee machine. We can only use many objects in our everyday lives if one condition is met: The availability of electricity. If we think a little further, our economy and industry have also only become possible thanks to the ability to artificially generate and transform electricity.
Two things are needed to transport electricity:
- Electrical conductor
- Voltage source
The electrical conductor provides free charge carriers and connects them to form a circuit. With the help of the voltage source, the charge carriers are channelled into a directed movement. A connected load can go into operation.
Electricity is omnipresent and its demand is constantly changing. New ways of generating electricity and the search for favourable procurement are more topical than ever. In this guide, however, we would like to familiarise you with the basic information about electricity and its manifestations.
What is electricity?
According to the definition of electric current, it describes the flow or directional movement of electrical charge. Electric current flows when there are enough free and mobile charge carriers between two different electrical charges. This requires conductive material such as metal, gas or liquid. Charge carriers of electric current can in turn be electrons or ions. In the following, we first clarify a few basic questions.
What is current?
The term current refers to the directional flow of a physical size. In the case of electric current, this refers to the electric charge.
What is the electric current?
The electric current is a measure of the electric charge and indicates how much electric charge moves through the cross-section of a conductor every second.
This means that the more electrical charge moves through the conductor, the higher the amperage. As a basic unit, amperage is given in amperes.
What is voltage?
Voltage is the pressure of an energy source within an electric circuit that pushes charged electrons through a conductive loop, thereby generating electricity. Electrical voltage is therefore the fundamental cause of electric current and its drive.
What is the difference between current and electric current?
Current generally refers to the flow of liquids or gases, such as water or air. In the context of electricity, current can also mean the flow of other forms of energy such as heat or light.
Electric current, on the other hand, is specifically applied to the flow of electrical charges (usually electrons) through a conductor such as a wire or a circuit. It is a movement of electrical particles that occurs under the influence of an electric field and in most cases is measured with a specific current and voltage. Electric current is the basis for the function of electrical devices and the entire electrical power supply. In short, current is a general term for the flow of energy, while electric current refers specifically to the flow of electrical charges.
What is an electrical conductor?
Material that can conduct electricity well is called an electrical conductor. Electrons can move freely in this material. Silver, gold, copper and aluminium are particularly good conductors, which are used for electrical cables and wires.
What are electrons made of?
Electrons are negatively charged elementary particles with a very low mass. They form the atomic shell around the atomic nucleus. However, they can also be free, i.e. not bound to an atom. Furthermore, electrons belong to the particle family of leptons. According to current knowledge, leptons are indivisible. It is also not known whether there are more fundamental particles that make up leptons.
In which direction do electrons flow?
When electrons flow within the electrical conductor, the electrons flow from the negative to the positive electrical pole. However, in conventional terms, the flow of current is often described in reverse, i.e. from positive to negative. However, this is purely historical and was merely a misconception when electricity was discovered. It was only later, through insights into atomic physics, that it was learnt that the actual direction of current flow is from negative to positive. In electrical engineering circuit diagrams, the direction of current is still indicated from plus to minus. In this case, we speak of conventional current flow or the technical current direction.
What is the technical and physical direction of current flow?
When current flows, the electrons (as a negative charge) are attracted to the positive pole. The direction of current is therefore the flow from the negative to the positive pole. This direction is also known as the physical current direction.
Even if this is the only correct direction of current, there is another, historically conditioned definition, the technical direction of current. This is described in exactly the opposite way: The flow from the positive pole to the negative pole, because that's how it used to be defined - before anyone knew any better. Even today, the technical current direction is still applied to circuit diagrams in electrical engineering.
How is electricity generated?
Electricity is generated by the movement of electrons through electrical conductors within a closed circuit. The electrical circuit consists of a power source (battery or socket), a current conductor (wire or power cable) and a consumer (lamp, laptop, radio). The current flows in a circuit from the source (negative pole) via the conductor to the consumer and back to the source (positive pole). The flow of electrons in the conductor is also known colloquially as current flow.
How is electricity generated and produced?
Electricity can be generated in different ways. For example, the dynamo serves as a simple power generator to supply the bicycle light with energy. Contact with the tyre turns a cylindrical magnet inside a coil and electricity is generated by induction.
The generators in power stations, which supply our electricity grid right through to our sockets, work on a very similar principle.
Electricity is produced from fossil fuels in various power stations (natural gas, oil, coal). Energy can also be generated using nuclear fission. Environmentally friendly methods, on the other hand, are electricity from renewable sources such as solar, wind and water energy.
How long has electricity been around?
Electricity is not a human invention but, like gravity or magnetism, a natural phenomenon. Early observations in ancient Greece made electricity a subject of study. The term electron, for example, is based on the Greek word for amber. Thales of Miletus, founder of Ionian philosophy, was the first to observe electricity through friction in amber.
However, the close relationship to magnetism ensured that the two specialities were not studied separately. Concrete experiments with electricity only emerged in the early modern era.
The first battery was built in 1772 by Alessandro Volta, which generated electricity through a chemical reaction. Volta also gave his name to the unit for measuring electrical voltage in volts.
It was not until the industrial revolution that electrification made decisive progress, making electric light possible in the home in 1878. Around the same time, the first electric motor was created, which gradually replaced previous drives such as the steam engine and gas engine. The invention of the transformer in 1881 finally put an end to small, regional direct current networks and made it possible to transport electricity over long distances using high-voltage lines.
What effect does electric current have?
The effect of electricity is very different, which is why the possible applications are also very diverse. Electricity generates light and heat in everyday life and has a magnetic effect that is utilised by electric motors, for example. Electricity can also be used to split chemical compounds and break them down into new elements in order to extract metals or hydrogen. Electric current therefore has the following effects:
- Heat effect
- Light effect
- Magnetic effect
- Chemical effect
How is amperage calculated?
By definition, the amperage describes the amount of current that flows through a conductor at a certain time. To formally calculate the amperage, the charge (Q) can be divided by the time (t). In this case, (I) for intensity is the formula symbol for the amperage. The unit of electric current (I) is given in amperes (A), the charge (Q) in coulombs.
Amperage formula: I = Q / t
How strong the current is at a certain voltage (U) and resistance (R) can also be calculated using the following formula. The voltage (U) is given in volts (V) and the resistance (R) in ohms (Ω).
I = U / R
Amperes as the basic unit for electrical current can also be calculated using a formula. To do this, the power (P) is divided by the voltage (U). The basic unit of power (P) is given in watts, voltage (U) in volts. Formula for calculating amperes:
I = P / U
What does the amperage indicate?
The electric current with the symbol (I) indicates the strength of an electric current in the basic unit of amperes (A).
Direct current, alternating current, three-phase current and heavy current
Anyone who deals with electrical voltage is sure to come across the terms: direct current, alternating current, three-phase current and high voltage current. In order to differentiate between these in the long term, we would like to list the most important characteristics here.
What is meant by alternating current?
When we talk about alternating current or alternating voltage, the direction of movement of the electrons changes. In detail, this happens through the periodic change of polarity. Internationally, alternating current is also referred to by the abbreviation AC (abbreviation for alternating current).
How does alternating current work?
The function of alternating current can be described most simply by the bicycle dynamo and thus with the electrodynamic principle. A rotating magnet - equipped with positive and negative poles - ensures that the electrons in the coil constantly change direction. The dynamo produces alternating current.
How is alternating current generated?
Power station generators produce electricity with the help of electromagnets that face each other and form a magnetic field. Electricity is generated by the movement of the coil, which is rotated within the magnetic field. The uniform speed of the coil rotation results in a sinusoidal alternating voltage, which is why AC current is also labelled with the wave-shaped symbol:
Where is alternating current used?
Alternating current comes from the socket and usually accompanies us throughout our everyday lives to supply us with electricity and heat. However, so-called three-phase current, a multi-phase variant of alternating current, is used in supra-regional power grids and in industry.
Examples of the use of alternating current are therefore all standard household electricity consumers such as lighting, electric cookers, refrigerators, etc. If an appliance requires less than 230 volts - the amount supplied by a standard household socket - the lower voltage is output using a transformer (voltage converter). High-frequency alternating currents, on the other hand, are used in communications engineering or electromedicine.
Advantages of alternating current
The most important advantage of alternating current is that it can be changed flexibly. Our electricity grid has different voltages, from high voltage to low voltage in households and businesses. Alternating current makes it possible to increase and decrease the applied voltage flexibly and with low losses using transformers. It can also be bridged over long distances. For this reason, AC electricity became established worldwide at the beginning of the 20th century.
Calculating alternating current
The following formulae can be used to calculate alternating current:
I=S/U
The apparent power (S) is calculated as follows: S = U x I
I = P/U*cos φ
The active power (P) is calculated as follows: P = U x I x cos φ
I = Q/U*sin φ
The reactive power (Q) is calculated as follows Q = U x I x sin φ
The power factor can be calculated as follows
cos φ = P / S
sin φ = Q / S
The following units of measurement apply to the above formulae:
- Apparent power S = kilovolt ampere (kVA)
- Active power P = kilowatt (kW)
- Reactive power Q = kilovolt ampere reactive (kvar)
- Voltage U = Volt (V)
- Current I = Ampere (A)
Calculating the voltage drop
The voltage drop describes the loss between the beginning and end of an electrical wire. The DIN standard VDE 0100-520 regulates how high the difference between the voltage source and consumer may be. It states that the voltage drop must not exceed 4 %. The voltage drop (Ua) can be calculated as follows:
In general, Ua = I - L - (R - cosφ + X - sinφ)
The following applies to single-phase alternating current (forward and return): Ua = 2 - I - L - (R - cosφ + X - sinφ)
The following applies for three-phase current: Ua = √3 - I - L - (R - cosφ + X - sinφ)
- I = current
- L = cable length
- R = effective resistance
- X=reactive resistance of the wires
- cosφ=power factor
What is alternating voltage
While direct voltage always has the same polarity, this is periodically reversed with alternating voltage. The direction of flow of the alternating current therefore also changes periodically. AC voltage is usually represented as sinusoidal and is therefore relatively easy to calculate in maths.
Internationally recognised symbols for alternating voltage are the wave symbol or the abbreviation AC for alternating current.
Sinusoidal alternating voltage can also be understood as a harmonic oscillation. The typical generation, which is usually carried out by generators in power stations, also provides a more detailed explanation. A rotor rotates 360 degrees within the generator, thereby generating a voltage with alternating polarity in a sinusoidal curve.
What is direct current?
With direct current, the polarity of the voltage source is always the same. If current is flowing, this means that it is constantly moving in the same direction. Direct current is also called DC current and is labelled with the corresponding abbreviation. In addition to the DC abbreviation, the line symbol is also used internationally for direct current:
What is meant by direct current?
In contrast to alternating current, DC current changes neither direction nor strength. By definition, the direction of movement of the charges is therefore constant with direct current.
However, the electrical voltage does not necessarily have to be constant with direct current, but can also pulsate. In this case, it is referred to as pulsating DC voltage. However, the polarity remains constant.
Where is direct current used?
Direct current can be generated in batteries, solar modules and direct current generators. Direct current is often used in household applications: computers, smartphones and video devices can only be operated with DC current. This is ensured by the power supply unit, which converts the alternating current from the socket into direct current. Direct current is also used in industry, in data centres and in the electrolysis process.
Unlike alternating current, direct current cannot be transformed. The magnetic field built up remains unchanged. Transformers that are designed for the constantly changing magnetic field can therefore not be operated with direct current.
Calculating direct current
The following formula is used to calculate the electrical power, voltage and current of direct current on direct current motors:
I=P/U
- P = kilowatt (kW)
- U = Voltage in volts (V)
- I = current in amperes (A)
The DC circuit can be calculated according to Ohm's law. This states: voltage = resistance x current, i.e.: U = R x I to calculate the voltage or I=U/R to calculate the current.
- U = voltage in volts (V)
- R = resistance in ohms (Ω)
- I = current in amperes (A)
Calculating the cable cross-section for direct current
The correct cable cross-section is determined by the cross-sectional area of the metal conductors. The more power is required, the larger the cable cross-section should be. To calculate the current carrying capacity for direct current, alternating current or three-phase current, the following values are required: Current in amperes (I), length of the cables (L), voltage drop (Ua), as well as the specific conductance Kappa copper (y) and the voltage (U).
The formula is: A = (2 x I x L) / (y x Ua x U)
The next largest cable cross-section must then be selected for the calculated cross-section. The following cross-sections are usually applied: 1.5 mm², 2.5 mm², 4 mm², 6 mm², 10 mm², 16 mm², 25 mm², 35 mm², 50 mm².
The voltage drop should also be taken into account in this context. It describes the difference between the input and output voltage and should not exceed 4 %
All information on calculating the cable cross-section can be found in our guide "Cable cross-section - All important formulae and tables".
What is DC voltage?
DC voltage describes an electrical voltage whose value does not change. The current always flows in the same direction with the same polarity.
What is the difference between direct current and alternating current?
When current flows, charge carriers perform a directional movement. If this direction remains constant, it is referred to as direct current. This exactly describes the difference to alternating current, because here the direction of movement changes due to the periodic change in polarity.
What is three-phase current (3-phase alternating current)?
In electrical engineering, when we talk about heavy current or power current, we mean alternating current with three phases. For this reason, it is referred to as three-phase current or three-phase alternating current. Coils are located at 120° intervals around a rotating magnetic field, which creates three sinusoidal alternating voltages that are 120° out of phase.
Three-phase current has a low power loss even over long distances. Compared to direct current, it can be controlled via the phase shifts and can be fed into and drawn from different points in the power grid. Another advantage over single-phase current is that it requires significantly less material.
Three-phase CEE plugs: Three-phase plugs, also known as CEE plugs, have five poles. These ensure good, non-twisting contact between the plug and coupling. Designed for a voltage of 380 to 400 volts, they can withstand a continuous load of 16 to 32 amps. However, three-phase connectors are also commonly used for higher current loads, for example 63 A or 125 A.
Calculating three-phase current
The power of three-phase motors can be calculated using this formula:
P = U x I x cos φ x √3
- (1.732 corresponds to √3)
- P = Power in kilowatts (kW)
- U = Voltage in volts (V)
- I = current in amperes (A)
In addition, the power or cable cross-section (A, cable cross-section of the single core cables in mm²) for three-phase current systems can be calculated using the following formula:
A = 1.732 * L * I * cos φ / y * Ua * U
or
A = √3* L * I * cos φ / y * Ua * U
- A = Cable cross-section single core cables in mm²
- L = cable length in metres
- I = conductor current in amperes
- cos φ = efficiency (between 0.9 and 1)
- y = Conductivity (copper 58, aluminium 37)
- Ua = voltage drop in volts
- U = Mains voltage in volts
- 1.732 (or √ 3) = Interlinking factor (ratio of the electrical voltage between two neighbouring phase conductors)
Conversions for three-phase current
For a simple conversion from watts to amperes, the power and voltage values are required:
I = P / (U x 1.732)
- I = current in amperes (A)
- P = Power in watts (W)
- U =voltage in volts (V)
The following applies for the further conversion from watts to kilowatts: 1 watt (W) = 0.001 kilowatt (kW)
Can a three-phase motor be operated with alternating current?
Three-phase AC motors differ fundamentally from AC motors in the structure of the motor winding. It is therefore not possible to operate machines and systems with alternating current. The only exception to turning alternating current into three-phase current is the Steinmetz circuit.
The Steinmetz circuit describes an electrical circuit of three-phase asynchronous motors on a single-phase alternating current network. In the Steinmetz circuit, the motor can be operated either in delta or in star, depending on the coil voltage. The delta connection is preferred. If the motors are connected in delta with three-phase current (with a voltage output of 400V/690V), the Steinmetz circuit generally does not work.
What is the difference between three-phase current and alternating current?
In contrast to alternating current, three-phase current consists of three alternating currents whose sine waves are shifted in time by 120° and are therefore out of phase. Put simply, three-phase current is therefore twisted alternating current.
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What is heavy current?
Neither the term "heavy current" nor the synonymously used term "power current" have a concrete definition. In the household, trade and industry, however, they are mainly used for appliances with a three-phase connection. The clearly defined term three-phase current is therefore much more suitable.
How many volts does high voltage current have?
In power lines, the AC voltage between each phase and the neutral conductor is 230 volts. Within any two phases, it is 400 volts. Heavy current connections are usually also equipped with 400 volts. The following formula is used to calculate the current or electrical power of heavy current:
I=P/ U x cos φ x √3
- P = active power in kilowatts (kW)
- U = voltage in volts (V)
- I = Current in amperes (A)
- cos φ = active current
What is the voltage of heavy current?
Heavy current or three-phase current in Germany has a voltage of 400 volts.
What is power current?
Three-phase current is also known colloquially as power current. This type of electricity changes polarity in three different and shifted phases. In Germany, all households with an electricity grid connection are supplied with three-phase current.
Which appliances need power current?
In contrast to the conventional 230-volt socket outlet, the high-voltage socket outlet has 3 phases with 400 volts alternating voltage. In everyday life, it is usually appliances such as sauna heaters, electric cookers, circular saws or welding equipment that require a high-voltage connection. Industrial and commercial systems (electrical machines, systems or drive electric motors) also have a higher output and require special connectors that can withstand three-phase current.
What is the difference between heavy current and alternating current?
Three-phase current, colloquially known as heavy current, has three alternating currents (L1, L2, L3). Alternating current, on the other hand, has only one current and is therefore also referred to as single-phase alternating current. Therefore, heavy current is not the same as alternating current, as the former has three current-carrying conductors. Heavy current is therefore much more likely to be understood as alternating current with higher power.
What is the difference between heavy current and three-phase current?
The only difference between the two terms is that three-phase current is a firmly defined term. In households, three-phase sockets usually supply 400 volts. Although the term "heavy current" is also usually used to refer to household appliances, it is only used colloquially. In addition, there is no valid definition of the rated voltage for heavy current.
Until the year 2000, however, the term "heavy current system" was used for all single-phase and multi-phase installations up to 1000 volts. In more recent VDE regulations, installations up to 1000 volts are now regarded as low-voltage installations.
Summary: What is high voltage current
The term heavy current, also known as power current, has no clear definition, but is often used colloquially for three-phase current. Three-phase current is a clearly defined term that is used in households and industry. In Germany, three-phase current usually has a voltage of 400 volts between two phases and 230 volts between one phase and the neutral conductor. Typical applications of high voltage current: High voltage current connections with 400 volts are required for devices with higher power and are found in private as well as commercial and industrial environments. Examples of classic high-voltage appliances:
- air compressors
- welding equipment
- electric instantaneous water heaters
- stationary charging stations for electric vehicles
- circular table saws
- electric cookers
Relationship between current and voltage
Electric current is generated when electrical charge carriers flow. Like water, electrons also flow in a conductor. The cause of this is electrical voltage. It always arises when charges are separated from each other (negative on one side, positive on the other). If these are connected by conductive material, electricity flows.
What is electrical voltage?
Electrical voltage is defined as the potential difference between two poles within an electrical field. It is also regarded as the driving force of charge movement.
How is voltage generated?
Electrical voltage is created by charge separation, or the attraction of two opposing charges. This can be caused by friction, chemical reactions or induction.
How is electrical voltage generated?
Electrical voltage can be generated by the following processes:
- Heat
- light
- Induction
- Chemical processes
- Deformation (pressure - piezo effect)
- Friction
How are voltage and current related?
Current, voltage and resistance form the basis of Ohm's law and therefore have a fundamental relationship with each other.
You can find all the information on electrical voltage in our guide "How is electrical voltage measured and calculated?".
What is the difference between voltage and current?
The two terms are closely related, but measure different things. Voltage is the measure of the potential difference between two points within the circuit. The amperage indicates the amount of current flowing through a circuit.
Connection between electricity and power
What is electricity and how does it differ from current? Electricity is the natural form of energy and the physical generic term for all phenomena that are caused by stationary or moving electrical charge. Electricity is therefore not only produced artificially - to generate light or heat - but already occurs in nature. As the term is not precisely defined in the natural sciences, it cannot always be clearly distinguished from the term current.
What is electricity?
The term electricity comes from the Greek word "electrum" for amber. Even in ancient times, it was recognised that amber exerts a force when rubbed.
Electricity is also a form of energy that can be converted into another form of energy. For example: Thermal energy or mechanical energy.
What is electricity?
Electricity refers to electrical charges that are either at rest or in motion to allow current to flow.
What is the difference between electricity and energy?
Energy is the ability to perform work, emit heat or radiate light. Electric current and electrical energy are therefore not the same thing, because electric current is the movement of charge carriers or the transport of electrical energy.
Further questions about electricity
What is an electrical circuit?
An electrical circuit consists of a voltage source, a load and wires as a closed path. This circuit can be closed or interrupted using a switch. The circuit therefore serves as the basis of an electrical device.
How fast is electricity?
Since electrons are responsible for the conduction of electric current, the question: How fast does current flow, can also be formulated differently: How fast do electrons move? The material of the conductor, its cross-section and temperature as well as the current strength all have a say here.
If we look at a standard wire, the speed of the electrons is only a few millimetres per second. The driving potential difference, on the other hand, moves at the speed of light, i.e. just under 300,000 kilometres per second. Depending on the nature of the conductor, the transport is throttled by 30 %.
How fast does electricity flow in copper?
Voltage propagates in the power cable at the speed of light, or more precisely at the speed at which electromagnetic waves propagate. In a vacuum, this is 300,000 kilometres per second. In copper, the speed is 200,000 kilometres per second.
In which direction does current flow?
The electrons are attracted to the positive pole. They therefore flow from the negative pole to the positive pole.
How is current measured?
Multimeters are used to measure the current flow. The appropriate measuring range is selected (DC, AC, volt, ampere, voltage, resistance, ...) and the black measuring cable is connected to the COM socket and the red measuring cable to the ampere socket. The test probe can then be held to the current source to obtain a measured value.
Which is faster, electricity or light?
Light is faster than electricity because it can move freely as an electromagnetic wave and is not bound to matter. A moving pulse in an electric circuit travels at almost the speed of light, but depending on the conductor material and its structure, the speed is usually up to 30 % slower.
How many volts does a socket have?
The voltage of a household socket outlet within the EU is 230 volts.
What current comes out of the socket? Is electricity from a socket outlet direct current or alternating current?
Electricity from a household socket is alternating current, which changes direction 50 times per second.
How much voltage does a socket outlet have?
The voltage of a Schuko socket outlet is 230 volts.
What is an alternating current socket outlet?
A household socket outlet is supplied with 230 V alternating current. As soon as a consumer is connected to the socket outlet, alternating current flows.
Are high-voltage lines operated with direct current or alternating current?
High-voltage lines are used for the long-distance transmission of electrical energy at high voltage. Most of them are operated with alternating current or three-phase current. In the course of the energy transition, high-voltage direct current technology is now also being used to connect grid points that are far apart.
How many volts does a high-voltage line carry?
Overhead lines carry up to 380,000 volts (380 kV). High-voltage lines with a regional transport network, or for supplying cities and large industries, carry around 30,000 volts.
Magnetic effect of electric current
The example of a loudspeaker can be used to illustrate the magnetic effect of electricity. It consists of an electromagnet and a coil attached to a membrane. When the loudspeaker is switched on, the coil is repelled or attracted by the magnet, causing it to vibrate periodically. Different sounds are produced.
A light bulb also has a magnetic field that is noticeable when it is switched on. If a magnet is held close to it, the filament begins to vibrate.
What dangers arise from electric current
Electric current is not only very useful, but also extremely dangerous. Even a current of around 50 mA can be fatal for people. In addition to the risk of electric shock, electrical accidents can also cause fires with great destructive power. Examples of particularly great dangers are power lines and high-voltage pylons that run across the whole country and surround us every day.
How dangerous electricity is for us humans depends on a number of factors: Direct current or alternating current, current intensity, contact area, duration of action, physical condition of the body and path of the current through the body.
Why is electricity dangerous?
Why is electric current dangerous for humans? Due to the chemical effect of the current, the blood is electrolytically decomposed, especially after prolonged exposure. This leads to symptoms of poisoning. In addition, the heat effect leads to burns or even overloading of the organs.
When is electricity dangerous?
From how many volts is electricity dangerous? Depending on your physical condition, 50 volts is usually enough to send a life-threatening current through the human body.
From another perspective, it can be said that current that flows through the chest and hits the heart is fatal. Here, just 25 mA is enough to cause cardiac arrhythmia.
What effect does electric current have on people?
If electricity flows through a human body, its muscles tense up and it is unable to move. Current flowing through the human heart causes it to beat irregularly and causes cardiac arrhythmia or ventricular fibrillation. The consequences are cardiac or circulatory arrest. It also leads to a lack of oxygen, damage to the brain cells and death.
What protective measures are there?
According to DIN VDE 0100 Installation of low-voltage systems, the protective measures against dangerous body currents are divided into the following levels:
- Basic protection: Protection against direct contact with live parts; through basic insulation, covers or sheaths
- Fault protection: Protection against indirect contact with conductive parts that assume dangerous contact voltage if the basic protection fails; by means of reinforced insulation or protective earthing
- Additional protection: Protection against direct contact by means of residual current circuit-breakers and arc fault circuit-breakers
Electrical current hazard symbols
The "Warning of electrical voltage" sign warns of the invisible danger of electric shocks using easy-to-understand visual language.
Conclusion
Whether it's a mobile phone, computer, drill or electric heater - almost all of our everyday devices need electricity. As commonplace as these objects are, their power supply is complex and precise. In this article, we have explained the most important differences between alternating current and direct current and what exactly the colloquial term "heavy current" means. To summarise, power current, heavy current, three-phase current and three-phase current all refer to the use of three-phase alternating current with high power, although the terms can be used differently depending on the context. Typical applications include energy supply devices or industrial plants. If you would like to find out more, please read our other guides on related topics.
Despite careful editing and checking of the content, Stecker Express assumes no liability for the topicality, correctness, completeness and quality of the information provided.
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