Tuesday, November 24, 2015

homework and exercises - Why does current from a grounded electrical outlet flow through me if I stay on the floor made out of a dielectric material?


Why does current from a grounded electrical outlet flow through me when I touch a "hot" terminal, if stay on the floor made of a dielectric material?


Consider an AC voltage source, such as a wall socket, at 220V and 60Hz. I stay on the wood, tile, or another dielectric material, which the floor commonly consists. The floor is dry. I touch only one terminal (not ground), it hurts me. How?



I know for sure, that the screwdriver-indicator works because of resistor with huge resistance, like 2000Ω + body resistance, we get I = 220V3000Ω = 70mA,

the current flows, bulb lights, we do not die. Hence the resistance of wood is less than 2kΩ?



Answer



As the mains supply is alternating current the charging and discharging of the capacitance of your body relative to free space (actually your other closer surroundings) causes a small AC current to flow and will illuminate the test indicator.


You are feeling this real current because if flows into you from a single point.


Also even a poor conductor like rubber and wood will still conduct a bit.


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