How does skin moisture affect resistance?

Study for the Con Edison Basic Electric Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

How does skin moisture affect resistance?

Explanation:
Moisture on the skin lowers electrical resistance by creating a conductive path. Sweat and other moisture contain ions that act as electrolytes, so they help carry charge across the skin. The dry outer skin is a good insulator, but when it gets wet, the impedance drops dramatically, sometimes down to a few hundred ohms. That means, for the same voltage, a lot more current can flow, which increases the risk of shock. So sweaty skin can have resistance as low as several hundred ohms due to the ions in sweat.

Moisture on the skin lowers electrical resistance by creating a conductive path. Sweat and other moisture contain ions that act as electrolytes, so they help carry charge across the skin. The dry outer skin is a good insulator, but when it gets wet, the impedance drops dramatically, sometimes down to a few hundred ohms. That means, for the same voltage, a lot more current can flow, which increases the risk of shock. So sweaty skin can have resistance as low as several hundred ohms due to the ions in sweat.

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