ABSTRACT
Generators that convert mechanical energy to electrical energy first appeared around the middle of the 19th century; electrical energy was first used to drive motors in factories and in locomotives. With the increasing availability of electrical energy from the mid 1850's, there arose the opportunity for accidents. Electrocution refers to the loss of life due to electric current. Although there is no standard electrical accident, it is useful to provide an overview of the types of injury that can occur. The thermal processes associated with electric current are Joule heating and arcs and flashes. The reciprocal nature of temperature and exposure time for a first-degree burn was reported by A. R. Moritz and F. C. Henriques who used the pig, the skin of which is a good analog of human skin. Electrical accidents can occur in the home, workplace, hospital, indoors and outdoors. The source of the electricity can be the power line; devices connected to it or lightning.
