Thiệt hại phụ thuộc vào các loại, mật độ và thời gian hiện tại. Các ảnh hưởng của điện giật xảy ra khi một kết nối được thực hiện giữa một dây sống và trái đất. Có hai nguồn tiềm năng: thiết bị bị lỗi, nơi mà một dây sống có thể được chạm vào vỏ, hoặc dòng rò rỉ | 78 C. Johnstone N. Pace burns or ignition of flammable materials. Damage depends upon the density type and duration of current. The effects of electrocution occur when a connection is made between a live wire and earth. There are two potential sources faulty equipment where a live wire may be touching the casing or leakage currents which arise because equipment is at a higher potential than earth. In the UK all medical equipment should meet the requirements of the British Standard 5724 Safety of Medical Equipment which is identical to the corresponding international standard International Electro-technical Committee standard in IEC 601 . The degree of protection is defined by the type designation. Type CF provide the highest degree of protection and have a maximum leakage current of 10 11. A. The current density amount of current flowing per unit area has different effects varying from a tingling sensation 1 mA 50 Hz AC to ventricular fibrillation 75 mA . If the current flows directly or in close proximity to the heart the current density will be very much greater and a substantially smaller amount 50 I. A can cause ventricular fibrillation. This is known as microshock. Equipment which may allow this include central venous catheters which should be filled with dextrose rather than saline intracardiac pacemakers with an external lead and even an oesophageal temperature probe. When an electrical current is passed through a resistance heat is produced. Electrical burns are most marked on or near the skin. Surgical diathermy equipment uses the heating effects of high frequency electrical current but accidents may result in burns fires or by effecting pacemakers. Unipolar diathermy can inhibit or damage pacemakers and thus if essential bipolar diathermy should be used but if so should be applied distant from the pacemaker. The defibrillation and anti-tachycardia functions of implantable cardioverter defibrillators should be deactivated if diathermy is to be used to .
