According to safety factors, what effect does the length of time in a circuit have on the severity of an electric shock?

• A. It increases severity
• B. It decreases severity
• C. It has no effect
• D. It eliminates risk

Answer: (A)

Prolonged exposure increases severity. When electricity passes through the body, the tissue absorbs energy as heat and can disrupt nerves, muscles, and the heart. The amount of energy delivered grows with time (for a given current, the energy transferred is proportional to duration), described by the idea that heat generation in tissue rises with I^2R and time. As duration lengthens, the potential for burns, nerve damage, respiratory arrest, or dangerous heart rhythms increases, making the shock more severe. Short shocks can be less dangerous, but longer shocks raise the risk and potential outcome.