Electrocution Vs Shock: Differences and Preventive Measures

In the realm of electrical safety, the terms electrocution and electric shock are often used interchangeably, leading to misconceptions about their meanings. In this blog, we’ll compare electrocution vs shock and also learn about the other types of electrical injuries.

Electrocution Vs Shock

Both terms are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct concepts related to the impact of electric current on the body.

The key distinction between electrocution and electric shock lies in the outcome, as electrocution culminates in death. According to the definition, all types of electrocution can result in either severe injury or fatality when the body experiences a high-voltage electric current.

Factors	Electric Shock	Electrocution
Outcome	Non-fatal injury	Fatal, can cause death
Causes	Contact with live wires, faulty electrical equipment, insufficiently grounded electrical sources	Contact with live wires, electrical malfunctions, inadequately grounded electrical equipment
Symptoms/Injuries	Muscle contractions, minor burns, heart palpitations, neurological damage, difficulty breathing, broken bones, and unconsciousness.	burns, a weak/erratic, or no pulse, cardiac arrest, difficulties or no breathing, unconsciousness, or death.
Prevention	Proper personal protective equipment and safety inspections	Proper maintenance of electrical appliances and adherence safety precautions
Immediate Action	Shut off electricity, provide first aid.	Shut off electricity, provide first aid.
Legal Recourse	Personal injury lawsuits with a focus on proving negligence for compensation	Personal injury lawsuits with a focus on proving negligence for compensation

Now, to better understand electrocution vs shock, let’s learn their definitions and causes in detail.

Electric Shock

It happens when the body touches an electric source, allowing electricity to pass through the body, causing muscle contractions. This can happen through direct contact or even through the air, affecting hair and skin because the body is a good conductor of electricity.

The severity of the resulting damage from an electric shock spans a range, from skin burns and muscle twitching to heart attacks and even fatality, depending on the voltage of the current involved. Current can permeate the skin’s surface, flow through muscles, and ultimately affect the body’s internal organs, potentially leading to additional injuries such as seizures, breathing difficulties, and fractures.

Severity of electric shock depends on voltage, type of current and duration of exposure, mode of the current entry in body and its electrical resistance. Depending on these, even relatively low voltages can be deadly.

Long-term consequences of electric shock include severe burns or amputations, nerve damage, memory loss, or hearing impairment, and even fatality. If not, it causes cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, heart muscle damage, or permanent heart damage.

It can also cause seizures, brain and other nerve damage, cataracts, or respiratory failure, spine injury, deformity at point of contact, or loss of kidney function. Other than that, the person experiences secondary injuries caused by post-shock falls.

Electrocution

The medical definition of electrocution states that it is the fatal consequence of an electrical shock that happens when a high-voltage current passes through the human body, typically upon contact with exposed electrical sources such as live wires, downed power lines, or electrical arc flashes.

According to the Better Health Channel, the medical definition of electrocution is, When your body comes into contact with live electricity, an electric current passes through the tissues and causes an electric shock, also known as electrocution.

Causes of Electric Shock

The human body’s ability to conduct electricity like metal makes it susceptible to a range of hazards originating from different sources. Some common causes include the following:

• Inserting fingers or objects into electrical outlets, completing a circuit that directs the current through the body or the object.
• Using malfunctioning equipment or appliances with exposed wires or disconnected grounds, turning the device into a live electrical source.
• Contact with frayed cords or exposed wires, where the body’s interaction completes the circuit, thus resulting in an electric shock.
• Interaction with overloaded electrical outlets, potentially causing a less severe electric shock or presenting a risk for cord melting and fires.
• Exposure to lightning strikes can unexpectedly pass through the ground and affect individuals close to struck objects or structures.
• Utilizing electrical appliances near open water is a dangerous practice due to the inherent risk of electricity and water interacting.
• Contact with downed power lines is a significant hazard that can electrify surrounding objects and pose substantial risks to human safety.

Also Read: Can You Get Electrocuted Cleaning Solar Panels?

Causes of Electrocution

Some common causes of electrocution types are as follows:

• Defective or faulty appliances with cracked extensions or exposed wiring
• Inaccurate or damaged safety gear for individuals handling powered appliances
• Contact with overhead power lines due to the absence of non-conductive ladders and understanding of the functioning of power lines
• Electricity and water Interaction creating a conductive path for electrical current
• Misuse of overloaded or damaged extension cords
• Interaction with energized equipment with outputs exceeding 50 volts
• Ground faults leading to improper insulation and moisture-laden conditions for appliances and wires, alongside protective gear
• Unqualified electrical repairs from non-professionals

Also See: Can Circuit Breakers Go Bad Without Tripping?

Is Electrocution Always Fatal?

No, electrocution does not always mean death. It is possible for someone to be electrocuted and survive with severe injuries. Around 1000 deaths due to electrical injuries occur annually in the United States, with 400 attributed to high-voltage electrical injuries and 50 to 300 caused by lightning. Additionally, there are at least 30,000 non-fatal shock incidents per year.

Preventive Measures for Electric Shock and Electrocution

Follow these measures to avoid electric shock and electrocution:

• Differentiating electrocution vs shock.
• Avoid using a damaged extension cord and defective electrical devices.
• Pull the plug instead of the cable to disconnect an electrical device.
• Always unplug the toaster before attempting to remove stuck toast.
• Turn off the light or unplug the lamp before changing a lightbulb.
• Ensure the location of electrical wires before drilling into walls.
• Refrain from using electrical devices in wet conditions or high humidity in the bathroom.
• Unplug the iron before filling it with water and keep electrical devices/extension cords away from pool areas.
• Distribute devices onto different circuits if a breaker frequently trips on the distribution panel.
• Do not cut or bend the third prong of a plug, as it serves an essential function.
• Never pour water on a fire in an outlet.
• Exercise caution when removing the cover plate of a switch or outlet.

Cross-Reference: 10 Electrical Safety Tips for Kids

First Aid for Electrical Shock Vs Electrocution

Turn off the electricity and move the person away from the power source. Give basic first aid like CPR if needed. It’s important to seek medical assistance promptly after an electrical shock or electrocution.

Other Types of Electrical Injuries

After learning about the difference between electrocution vs shock, let’s explore other types of electrical injuries. There are four main types of electrical injuries, we have already learned about two: electric shock and electrocution. Now, let’s see the other two injuries:

1. Burns: They are characterized by their excruciating pain and long-lasting impact. It happens from the passage of an electrical current into or out of the human body. These injuries harm the skin and inflict severe damage on internal tissues, muscles, veins, arteries, and organs.

2. Brain Trauma: The brain’s neural tissue is particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of electrical currents. This leads to potential neurologic consequences for victims of the four primary types of electrical injuries. Such repercussions may include significant brain injury, evidenced by memory loss, depression, impaired reasoning, and challenges in carrying out routine personal and professional tasks.

Distinguishing between electrocution and electric shock is paramount for promoting electrical safety awareness. Electrocution specifically signifies a deadly consequence of an electric shock, while an electric shock is the body’s response to an electric current. Enhanced training, robust safety guidelines, and the use of advanced protective equipment are recommended to mitigate electrical hazards, ensuring the well-being of individuals working with or near electrical sources.

Recommended: Is it Dangerous If Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping?