Electrocution question

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Anarchist420

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Feb 13, 2010
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Is it worse to be electrocuted by copper or aluminum wire or does it not make any difference? I was thinking it's worse to be electrocuted by aluminum wire, because it seems like it would a longer more erratic electrocution, while it makes more sense to me that copper would be more likely to be just a short (but still powerful) burst. Or would it be the other way around?
 
Evadman

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
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You have got to be kidding me. Please tell me this is a joke.
 
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wirednuts

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Jan 26, 2007
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ive done hours of research on this topic. it seems that the difference is about the same as it is between getting hit by a semi truck or getting hit by a flying house.
 
silverpig

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
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It's kind of like asking if it's better to be beaten to death by an aluminum bat or a wood bat. You're still getting beat to death in either case.
 
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wirednuts

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Jan 26, 2007
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james1701 said:
Copper
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copper carries electricity better. so in that sense, the electrocution should be quicker if all other variables are the same. however, the question asks which is "worse", and i think most would interpret that as what hurts more, which is a worse way to die. in that case, aluminum would be the technical answer. just be sure to have your quantum clocks nearby when you need to measure the time differences in death rates and you should be set.
 
Gibsons

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
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wirednuts said:
copper carries electricity better. so in that sense, the electrocution should be quicker if all other variables are the same. however, the question asks which is "worse", and i think most would interpret that as what hurts more, which is a worse way to die. in that case, aluminum would be the technical answer. just be sure to have your quantum clocks nearby when you need to measure the time differences in death rates and you should be set.
Click to expand...

A similar question: is it worse to be cut with a scalpel or a rusty spoon?

Of course the answer is

the-tick.jpg
 
C

CLite

Golden Member
Dec 6, 2005
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Does it concern anyone else that a mentally disturbed individual is asking what the most painful method of electrocution is?
 
Modelworks

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
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Most deaths from electric shocks are not the electricity but the action the person performs when shocked. Example: on a ladder cleaning out the house gutters and touch a live wire, person jerks from the surprise of the shock , falls off ladder and breaks neck on hitting ground. Or a worker repairing an electric motor thinks motor is off , gets shocked and jerks hand back in reaction causing his elbow to enter the gear of a nearby operating motor tearing off the arm.
 
Puppies04

Puppies04

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Apr 25, 2011
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Anarchist420 said:
Is it worse to be electrocuted by copper or aluminum wire or does it not make any difference? I was thinking it's worse to be electrocuted by aluminum wire, because it seems like it would a longer more erratic electrocution, while it makes more sense to me that copper would be more likely to be just a short (but still powerful) burst. Or would it be the other way around?
Click to expand...

cant-tell-if-stupid-or-trolling.jpg
 
edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
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Modelworks said:
Most deaths from electric shocks are not the electricity but the action the person performs when shocked. Example: on a ladder cleaning out the house gutters and touch a live wire, person jerks from the surprise of the shock , falls off ladder and breaks neck on hitting ground. Or a worker repairing an electric motor thinks motor is off , gets shocked and jerks hand back in reaction causing his elbow to enter the gear of a nearby operating motor tearing off the arm.
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I had never heard that before, but it makes sense.

Most electricians know about the 1 hand rule... where you should always keep 1 hand in your pocket when working on equipment.
That way, the current flows through your arm, down your side, and into your leg, instead of across your chest to your other arm (through your heart).

I suspect hand to hand electrocutions are fairly rare compared to hand to leg electrocutions.
 
Puppies04

Puppies04

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2011
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edro said:
Most electricians know about the 1 hand rule... where you should always keep 1 hand in your pocket when working on equipment. That way, the current flows through your arm, down your side, and into your leg, instead of across your chest to your other arm (through your heart).
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And here i was just thinking electricians were either lazy or constantly playing with themselves. Seriously i never heard that rule and i have worked and socialized with several electricians for years. The best way to stop an electric shock going through your heart is to make damn sure the item you are working on is disconected from the power supply.
 
Modelworks

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
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Puppies04 said:
And here i was just thinking electricians were either lazy or constantly playing with themselves. Seriously i never heard that rule and i have worked and socialized with several electricians for years. The best way to stop an electric shock going through your heart is to make damn sure the item you are working on is disconected from the power supply.
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The 1 hand rule was taught to me when I was 12 from an local Ham radio guy. The same guy had me winding transformers by hand, building crystal radios out of coffee cans, etc. I credit him for being the one that started my interest in electronics. Being able to build a radio out of a piece of metal, some wire and cellophane and have it work with no power source really got me interested.
 
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