Physiopathological Effects of Electric Current on the Human Body and the Protection Against Electric Shocks

In electrical installations and equipment, electric current preferentially flows through me-tallic circuits that offer it less opposition, that is, less electrical resistance. In the human body, electric current also seeks to flow through paths with less electrical resistance, and may be diverted inside the body, damaging surrounding organs and tissues. Its path and the magnitude of the current influence the type of injuries associated with electrical acci-dents, usually burns, which can be internal and external. In all electrical installations, there is a need and obligation to implement effective protection systems, with the aim of operating them under safe conditions. In Low Voltage Electrical Installations (LVEI), the protection measures that must be considered are overcurrent protection, overvoltage pro-tection, but fundamentally the protection of people from the risk of electrocution, avoiding pathophysiological effects that can be irreversible.