It is the quantity of flow of electrons (the tiniest bits of electricity) through the body.
The quantity of flow of electrons is measured in units called amperes. A milliampere is one thousandth of an ampere.
In the Table below are the effects of various milliamperes of current.
Also, is shown the typical trip setting for a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCI).
| Current in milliamperes | Effect on Person |
| 1 | Just barely perceptible
|
| 4-6 | Trip setting of GFCI
|
| 1-8 | Mild to strong surprise
|
| 8-15 | Very unpleasant but usually victim is
able to let go |
| 15 and above | "Muscular freeze" often prevents release and leads to death |
| 75 and above | Almost always fatal
|
Most people fear voltage. Voltage "drives" current through the body. The higher the voltage, the higher the current that will flow through a person's body in a given situation. Water allows more current to flow for any given voltage. Deaths have occurred from voltages much less than the common household voltage of 120 volts to victims in water. However, people have survived shocks from voltages of 600 volts and above in dry environments.