High voltage, limited current

[Pagusi]

Hey,

I've seen these dc step up converters on Amazon and wanted to ask, if I took one of the 4 volt to 400kV units and placed my finger in the middle of the two output contacts, what would happen? Would I get burned or would I get shocked. Can I get shocked with only 5*10^-5 ampere?

PS: the current is limited due to using AA batteries

Paul

[Electronics Wizardy]

Example of device link?

 

The other problem is capacitance. Even though the psu is a very low current, every thing is a capacitor, and you just stored some engery that will be dumped into your body when you touch.

 

 

[2FA]

It would probably be akin to an electrostatic shock. Current is too low to burn you but the high voltage can easily overcome your skin's natural resistance.

[Pagusi]

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07G157S97/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[mariushm]

27 minutes ago, Pagusi said:

Hey,

I've seen these dc step up converters on Amazon and wanted to ask, if I took one of the 4 volt to 400kV units and placed my finger in the middle of the two output contacts, what would happen? Would I get burned or would I get shocked. Can I get shocked with only 5*10^-5 ampere?

PS: the current is limited due to using AA batteries

Paul 

A battery can give a lot of current... let's say up to 2A but they can do more for brief bursts... but let's go with 2A... so with two fresh alkaline batteries you have 3v at 2A = 6 watts.

Assuming 100% conversion efficiency you're looking at 6000mW / 400000 = 6/400 = 0.015 mA  ....

 

In reality there's more like 80% efficiency and the magnetics of the transformer and the multi-stage voltage doubler are on purpose made so there's losses, so you're looking at less than 0.01mA , maybe even half of that.

 

Anyway, it's not just voltage that kills you, or just current .. it's a mix of both.  The human skin has some resistance but that will vary depending on the person (how much skin oils there are, how sweaty etc)

IMHO I think it would be safe to zap yourself on the hand with those (as far away from the heart, and in a place where there's no cuts on the skin) but I wouldn't personally try it, it's just not worth it.