Computational models for contact current dosimetry at frequencies below 1 MHz

Electric contact currents (CC) can cause muscle contractions, burns, or ventricular fibrillation which may result in life-threatening situations. In vivo studies with CC are rare due to potentially hazardous effects for participants. Cadaver studies are limited to the range of tissue’s electrical properties and the utilized probes’ size, relative position, and sensitivity. Thus, the general safety standards for protection against CC depend on a limited scientific basis. The aim of this study was therefore to develop an extendable and adaptable validated numerical body model for computational CC dosimetry for frequencies between DC and 1 MHz. Applying the developed model for calculations of the IEC heart current factors (HCF) revealed that in the case of transversal CCs, HCFs are frequency dependent, while for longitudinal CCs, the HCFs seem to be unaffected by frequency. HCFs for current paths from chest or back to hand appear to be underestimated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 60479-1). Unlike the HCFs provided in IEC 60479-1 for longitudinal current paths, our work predicts the HCFs equal 1.0, possibly due to a previously unappreciated current flow through the blood vessels. However, our results must be investigated by further research in order to make a definitive statement. Contact currents of frequencies from DC up to 100 kHz were conducted through the numerical body model Duke by seven contact electrodes on longitudinal and transversal paths. The resulting induced electric field and current enable the evaluation of the body impedance and the heart current factors for each frequency and current path.

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