chapter_

4
Magnets and
Magnetism

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Type of Magnets (3 Marks)

There are two types of magnets:
1. Natural 1nagnets: The magnets found in nature are called
natural magnets. These magnets are weak and shapel ess.
2. Artificial magnets: Mantn ade magne ts are called ~rtificial
magne t. These magne ts are strong and have differ ent
shapes . They may be bar-sh aped, horses l1oe shape d,
magnetic needles, magnetic compass, etc. ·
Types of artificial niagnets
1. Temporary nzagnets: Magne tism of these magne ts is
temp~rary. It is made of soft iron.
2. Permanent magnets: Magne tism of _these magne ts is
permanent. It is made up of steel, nickel and cobalt.

Magnetic Poles (3 Marks)

Magn~t: A piece of substance which possesses the proper ty of
attracting small pieces of iron toward s it is called ';'I- magne t.
The po~ts inside the magnet, where attract ion is maxim um
are called poles of magnet. Every magne t has two poles, viz.
north pole and south pole.
A freely suspen ded magne t sets itself in the directi on of
aphic north and south.
~M..ua~~ni.
.. .
' 25
 Electrotherapy
Il

- • fmg towards •'

E d of the magnet pom
North pole: ~g pole or north pole. north
nd north see·E d of the magnet pomting
ca e
· ·
towards
ole: n th 1 sout-1.
South P king pole or sou po e. ~1
called south see
1
ag net (3 Marks) 1
Electrom f ·1 f • 1
'
t consists o a co1 o wire wound ontO
An electro~ari) When a current passes through a coij a Soft t
iron bar (~ig. th~ °
bar by induction. This is called an f \Vire !
e1ectro.. !
it magnetiZeS
magnetism. •1
, I
Magnetic· lines
of force I

..__....,_ .X- 1 - - -

F1g. 4.1: Electromagnet

Wire carrying an electric current produce magnetic

around a straight wire in the form of concentric circles
the wire at their center. The magnetic field produced
that of the coil and the resultant field is very stro
. the current is put off, the magne~c effect is
of magnetic lines of forces is given by, •

Properties of Magnet (3
1. A freely suspended
north to south. If
returns to its
2. Similar poles
 m
Magnets and Magnetis
nd a
field is th e ar ea or zone of influence ar ou is
3. A magnetic The field
t whi ch its m ag ne tic force is apparent.
magne in
lines of forces.
made up of magnetic
agnetism (3 Marks)
Molecular Theory of M ete
ok en in tw o, ea ch pa rt forms a compl
If a magnet is br e pr oc es s is repeated. It is, ther
efore,
er of te n th tizable
magnet, howev al m ol ecules of the magne
th e in di vi du
assumed that
ne ts. Th ei r m ag ne tic properties result
materials are tiny mag .
ectrons in their orbits
from the rotation of el tiz ed , th e molecular magnets
no t m ag ne
When material is an d th ei r m ag ne ti c pr op er ti
es
d m an ne r
lie in a ha ph az ar
(Fig. 4.2a).
neutralize each other ed , the molecules as su m
e an
ia l is m ag ne tiz
When mater r m ag netic. effects au gm en
t each
em en t an d th ei
orderly arrang •
rent (Fig. 4.2b).
other and become appa

s
srNll!lls N ll ls N ll ll
_8 .- N ll ls N. .s
N ll ll s
N. .s N. .s ;
s Nlllls
N•s N•s ~--~
Magnetized
e f •
d b: Arrangement of molecules In a pi ec 0 magnetic material
Fig. 4.2a an
Marks)
Properties of Magnet (7
of substance which possesses the pl O D Pr hr £
Magnet: A piece M
attra • ae & f •
o ll'On towards_ it is ca
lled a o.r: m:-p"t
 Electroth_erapy

Ma et possesses followin • g properties·

•
gn_ . • north-south direction: As the earth itself .
1• Sett
. mgma • f' ld ·11 ·
giant magnet·, the earth's magnetic died w1 mfluencelSaa
suspended magnet•Afreely suspthenIf ea· mag net sets its
•m th d1'rection of north to sou • • tspIaced from th·e1f
e . . • 1 •t· is
direction it again returns to its ongma pos1 10n.
2. Like magnetic poles repel one an~ther: North repels
north and south repels south. Unlike magnetic pole
s
attract one another. •
3. Isolatio n of poles: Isolated north or south pole is not
possible. .
4. Transmission of properties: A magnet can produc
properties of magnetism in suitable materials. As one
pole of a bar magnet is stroked along the material, all th:
opposite poles of the ~ole~ular ma~ets are attracted
towards it so that the ob1ect 1s magnetized.
The end that the ma?net leaves will h~ve th~ pole
opposite to that used to induce the effect (Fig. 4.3).

/
/
I
I

--- --~ ---

N.
._A----------------- :1B S
Fig. 4.3: Magnetization by cont act

A magnet may also produce a magnetic effect in

an
object without contact between them is called mag
netic
induction, e.g. a piece of soft iron held close to a mag
net
will attract iron filings. If it is' a south magnetic pole
that
approaches the iron, it attracts the north and repels
the
south poles of the molecular magnets (Fig. 4.4).
5. Attraction of suitable materials: Magnets attra
ct certain
materials. This ~ffect is produced by magnetic inductio
n.
Iron bar 1 Bar ma net Iron bar 2
A IN sj sJ IN ~,
Fig. 4.4: Magnetization without contact (magnetic
induction)
 Magnets and Magnetism Ei l
field: This is !11e ~rea or zon~ of influence
6. A magneticmag net in whi ch itsf mag neti c. forces are
n d a . f c
aro u 1 rorce
apparent. The field is made up o magnetic mes o
(Fig. 4.5).

I
I
i
I

I
I net
Fig. 4.5: Mag netic lines of force around a mag

Properties of Magnetic Lines of Force (~ Marks)

• Magnetic field: The area or zone of influence
aro und a mag net
. •
in which its magnetic forces are app aren t (Fig. 4.5)
s field is
Magnet creates a magnetic field aro und them. Thi
ch hav e the
being made up of magnetic lines of force whi I
following properties:
h a free
1. They travel from north to south, which is the pat
north pole would take.
but repel
2. They attempt to take the shortest route possible
one another so that they infact become curved.
ls, e.g.
3. They travel more easily thro ugh som e materia
magnetizable metals, than thro ugh others.
lar theory
Describe different types of magnet. Explain molecu
t (5 + 3 + 7 =
of magnetism. Write down properties of magne
15 Marks)
Same as above answers.
Chapter

5
Mains Supply

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Explain how the electricity Is distributed from the Power
station? OR
The grid system (7 Marks)
Distribution of electricity: Current fo! mains supply is
produced by dynamos at power stations. The current
generated in the power station i~ supplied to the c?nsumer by
one live wire and one neutral wire, so the current 1s not earth.
free. The cables may be carried across country by pylon, or in
towns, taken undergroun,d enclosed in thick layers of
insulation. The electricity is supplied throughout the greater
part of the country by means of grid system.
Grid system: This is a system by which the electricity ,
supplies throughout the greater part of the country are linked
together. The supply is AC at 240 volts and a frequency of
50 cycles per second.
A three-phase current is used for distribution. Each dynamo
has· three coils of wire which follow each other through the
magnetic field so that a separate current is generated in each
coil. One end of each coil is connected to a live distribution '
line while the other ends are connected together and to earth.
Distribution of current is by three live cables, one from each of .
the dynamo coils, and one neutral cable, which is common to
the three live wires (Fig. 5.1). These four cables can be observed ,
on the pylons which carry the cables across country.
30
 Mains Supply
.,. 1
L1
Line
voltage
400 V
L2

Line Line
voltage voltage
40 0V 40 0V
L3

Phase Phase Phase

voltage voltage voltage
23 0V 23 0V 23 0V
N
•
), l 1, L2, LJ ar e liv
e wires, N is
pp ly (g rid sy ste m
tri ci ty su
Fig. 5.1: Mains el ec
neutral wire st em o f
a sy
om th e po w er st at io ns is fe d in to a
The cu rr en t fr
te nd in g th ro ug h th e co un tr y. W he re
e
high-tension cables ex th e ca bl es ar e ta pp ed an d th e vo lt ag
li ed e
district is to be su pp or m er st at io n. O ne en d of ea ch an d
o f th
a tr an sf
st ep pe d do w n at an sf or
ea rt h
m er is co nn ec te d to re e li ve
ils of th e tr by th
secondary co th e lo ca l ar ea is ag ai n
ro ug ho ut f th e
di st ri bu ti on th
ra i w ir e. E ac h co ns um er re ce iv es on e o in g,
wires an d on e ne ut ut ra l w ir e. A s th e cu rr en t is al te rn at
live wires an d on e ne el y ne ga ti ve an d po si ti ve , th e ne ut ra l
at
the live w ir e is al te rnte nt ia l th ro ug ho ut .
wire be in g at ze ro po
sy st em
Advantages of gr id re ce iv e sa m e vo lt ag
e
li ed by th e sy st em
l. All ar ea s su pprr en t.
an d ty pe of cu e lo ad
ds in on e ar ea do no t p u t an ex ce ss iv
2. Large de m an
w er st at io n.
on an y pa rt ic ul ar po io n do es n o t cu t of f th
e
n of on e po w er st at
3. B re ak do wan y area.
su pp ly to e
k is fa ci lit at ed as al l th e ge ne ra to rs ar
or
4. Maintenance w be in op er at io n al l th e time.
no t necessary to
s (7 Marks)
Wiring of the House ai n
ri ng ~ e ho us e pa ss es th ro ug h th e m
The cu rr en t on en te w hi ch ar e th e pr op er ty of th e su pp ly
,
fuses, an d th e m et er
 1
\
Electrotherapy '

authorities and should not be altered. Next comes the mai

n
switch, which can be employed to cut off the curre~t su~ply
_to
the house and the house main fuses, then ~e various circ
uits
which are taken in parallel to each other (Fig. 5-2)-
This method of wiring is adopted so that ea~h circuit
receives the full voltage of the supply, the current m each
is
unaffected by that in the others and they can be use
d
independently of each other. Switches and fuses are wire
d in
series with the supply points.
Wires to
other parts I
of the house
l
I'
o-o --+ -... --~ ---, ---T o
-.:.a :=-- --' 1.- ~~ --- tT- -i~ ~-~ I
______ __
r-~ -.-o the r i'
__ ____ _ __ fOOm I
1
I I
I I

~-------'
Distribution box
contains the
main switches
and fuses for
Electric pole each circuit S1 Switch for a bulb
S2 Switch for a fan
S3 Switch for a socket
Fig. 5.2: Mains electrlcity distribution in a house

Ught and Power Circuits

The circuits in the house can be divided into two cate
gories:
The light and the power circuits.
Light circuit: It has 5 ampere fuse for each 4-6 light circ
uit
and the wiring to light circuit is design to carry slightly
a larger
intensity of current than a fuse.
Power circuit: It includes a fuse for each supply
point. 13-
ampere fuses are used in modern wiring and 15-ampe
re fuses
in the wiring of older construction, and the cables can
carry
slightly larger intensity of current than the fuses.
The power circuits may be arranged in various ways:
1. A ring main: A complete loop is taken from each
of the
two supply cables and supply points are wired in para
llel
with each other between the loops. Fused plugs are used
,
so no fuses are incorporated in the wiring of individu
al
•
Mains Supply ESI
points, but a 30 ampere fuse is placed on the live wire
entering the ring (Fig. 5.3).
The cable carries current from both sides of the loop,
that is from two wires, each of which can carry at least
15 amperes; hence the high rating of the fuse. In large
building there may be several rings, each with its own
30 ampere fuse.

4--1--Live I 001

-Neutral

Socket Earth
Spur to the
cooker
+
g

Fig. 5.3: The ring main

2. In addition to above, sub-circuits may be used for

different installations such as an electric cooker or
immersion heater or in ~he physiotherapy department,
for certain equipment such as apparatus which uses a
particularly large current.
3. In some cases light and power circuits divide imme-
diately on entering the building and separate meters are
provided, this method being used if different rates are
charged for light and power.
The apparatus using a current of more than 5 amperes (A)
must be connected to a power circuit or the intensity of current
will exceed that which the fuse can transmit. Apparatus using
a current of less than 5 A can be used on either type of circuit,
 E/BCtrotherapy

but if the current is liable to approach 5 A, it is unwise to

connect it to the light point. Moreover several light circuits are
usually taken parallel to each other from one fuse and the
current that passes through the fuse is the sum of that in the
individual circuits. Consequ~ntly, ~e 1:15e of apparatu s taking .
4.5 A at one point would seriously limit the use of others.

Cartridge Fuse (3 Marks)

A fuse is a weak point in the circuit that blows off, if a current
of too great an intensity is passed. •
In conventional cartridge fuse, there is a glass tube with
metal caps which contain the silver wire of low melting point
running between the caps (Fig. 5.4). The tube is held in position
by metal clips. The whole tube can be replaced when
necessary.

Cartridge
Fuse link
Brass end contact
cap

Filling Bi-metal Fuse Outer

powder thermal element element
control
Fig. 5.4: Cartridge fuse

Porcelain Fuse (3 Marks)

. ~e conventional porcelain fuse consists of a piece of suitable
wue of low melting point running through the tunnel in a
porcelain holder.
Each end of wire is attached by a screw to a metal blade.
The blades fit into metal sockets in a fixed porcelain base and
the main wire is connected to the sockets (Fig. 5.5). ·
. The ~ection containing the fuse wire can be removed for
mspection and renewal of the wire.
 Mains Supply
Fuse carrier

"14 ---- ---- ~~- Fus e element

Fuse contact Arc-resistant tube

Fixed terminal Fixed contact

Cable
socket

Fuse base
Fig. 5.5: Porcelain fuse

Importance of Fuses in Physiotherapy Unit (7 Marks)

A fuse is a weak point in the circuit that blows off, if a curre nt
of too great an intensity is passed. Fuses are of two types:
1. Cartridge fuse
2. Porcelain fuse.
• It consists of a wire of low melting point so that when a
large curre nt passe s, the wire melts break ing the
circuit, stopping the flow of current.
• The fuse shoul d alway s break the live wire of the
circuit if a single fuse is used and wher e two fuses are
used it breaks both the live and the neutral wire.
• The individual machines in the depar tmen t shoul d
have their own fuses besid es a fuse for the whol e
department.
• The fuses should be placed at places which are easily
accessible.
m Electrotherapy

, A fuse blows when there ~s. flow o~ an excess current,

which may result from wmng a high wattage devic
such as a 2000 watt electric fire on a light circuit Oe
because of short circuiting, etc. which lowers th;
resistance of the current flow.
, If a fuse blows off, the apparatus which caused the
damage should be disconnected and the mains supply
switc~ed off ~nd the apparatu~ should be serviced by
a service engineer.
• The main fuses are of different colors such as white for
5 A, blue for 15 A, yellow for 20 A, red for 30 A and
green for 45 A.

Importance of Earthing in Physiotherapy Unit (3 Marks)

Eart1ti1lg: The connection between electrical appliances and
devices with the earth plate or electrode through a thick wire
of low resistance to provide safety is known as earthing or
grounding.
The earthing of the apparatus casing is a precaution against
earth shock. If the apparatus casing is not connected to the
earth and the insulation on the live wire becomes worn so that
this wire comes in contact with the casing.
Any connection between the casing and the earth completes
a circuit through which current passes. If this connection is
through a person he receives an earth shock. However, correct
earthing of the casing has the effect that immediately the live
wire comes in contact wiib it, current passes by the earth wire
from the casing to earth.
This is a pathway of low resistance~ so the current flow is
great and the fuse on the live wir~ should };>low. This stops the
current flow and gives warning of the defect. Hence, earthing
prevents excessive passage of current through the apparatus
to the patient.

Power Plugs (3 Marks)

• All pieces of equipment working on a power circuit
should. be connected to the supply by a three-pin wall
plug (Fig. 5.6). The pins that fit into the power sockets are
 Mains Supply

"Hot•

Ground

Earth----:r"")J;:-=~
Complying standard---+--«
Rated current----""'
Rated voltage---N---.
Line-...--11- Neutral

Fig. 5.6: Power plugs

.
arranged in a triangle, two being similar and the third
(earth pin) being either large or differently spaced from
others, so that the plug can be ins~rted into the socket in·
one way only.
• The two similar pins connect the apparatus with the
supply and are marked 'L' and 'N' for the live and the
neutral wires, respectively. The wires th.at connect the 'L'
pin are either red or brown in color and that ·connect to
the 'N' pin are either black or blue in color. The earth pin
is connected to the wire with color of yellow or green
which connect the outer casing of the apparatus to earth.
• Some plugs incorporate a fuse on the live wire which
must not be capable of transmitting more than 13 A that
the main wiring is designed to carry.
 Electrotherapy

Switches (3 Marks)
by which the current is turned on and off
Switch is a device
(Fig. 5.7).
Th e sw itc he s co m m on ly used in the houses and th
• nsist o_f ~ o ~etal bl ad ~
ph ys io th erap y de pa rtm en ts co
d the pnnc1ple 1s that Whe
which fit into metal sockets an es are gripped into thn
blad
the switch is made on, the
ets an d th e cir cu it is_ co m pleted ~ d when off, th :
sock the break m the circuit.
blad es ar e se pa ra ted ca us m g
e sw itc he s sh ou ld br ea k th e live wire always but mo t
• Th d if it breaks both wires 0sf
sa tisfa cto ry re su lts are ob tai ne
the circuit.
erapy, it is desired th t
• In th e
is
de
a
pa
sw
rtm
itc h
en
in
t
ea
of
ch
ph
m
ys
ac
io
hi
th
ne besides switches for U:
th er e
w er plug s th at su pp ly th e devices and a main switc;
po ent.
for the whole of the departm
' .

W al l- -- -'- '.,
I To fight
i
i

C ov er --
plate -- -- + -- .. -
Switch
handle

Switch

Incoming
:, electricity
I •
: ( Electrical box for
e.J housing the switch
Fig. 5.7: Switches
 zc::tt:-am

Mains Supply El
SHOCK
Earth Shock (3 Marks)
When the shock is due to a connection between the live wire of
the mains and the earth, it is known as earth shock.
The patient who is receiving treatment with a current that is
not earth-free and if there is no earth connection between the
outer' casing of the apparatus and earth, there is every
possibility that the person may form an earth circuit (provided
that the floor is not insulated) through which the current is
earthed resulting in earth shock. This can be made by touching
any conductor which is connected to earth, e.g. gas or water
pipes, metal bed on damp stone floor form an earth connection.

Precautions Against Earth Shock

a. The floor should be always of insulating material and it
should be always dried.
b. Metal casing of all apparatus must be connected to earth.
c. Fuses must be on the live wire and switches must break
the live wire.
d. Patient should not be permitted to touch the apparatus
during treatment.

Earth Shock (7 Marks)

When the shock is due to a connection between the live wire of
the mains and the earth, it is known as earth shock.
Electric power is transmitted by one live cable and one
neutral cable which is connected to earth. The earth forms part
of conducting pathway and any connection between the live
wire of the main and earth completes a circuit through which
current passes. If some person forms part of this circuit he
receives an earth shock.
Connection to the live cable: A patient who is receiving
treatment with a current that is not earth-free is connected to
the live cable. Such a connection can also be made by touching
an exposed part of the circuit, e.g. if the insulation on the live
wire is faulty and the wire comes in contact with casing of the
apparatus, then this part of the apparatus will also provide a
connection to the live cable. •
 Electrotherapy .
Co1111ect·
con d ion to earth: Thi s may be made by tou chin ••
. uct or wh ich is connected to eart g
h,
bip es or ston e floors, particularly if theysuc h as gas or w any
are dam p. A rnater
ed on suc h a floor, or one which is in contact
f0 rms an ear th connection. wit h a pta i
Pe,
Sim ulta neo us connection to the live wir e and to
can occ ur in the following way s: the ea th
r .
a. A pat ien t who is receiving treatment wit h a cur
is not earth-free may rest his /he r han d on wat erren t th
.
gas pipe pip e at
. Or
b. A phy siot her apis t hol din g an electrode tha
t is
·to live wir e ma y com e in con tac t wit h thecon nec t
app ara tus casing whi ch ma y com ple te the circ ear the d
uit. ed
c. If som eon e stan din g o~ d?m p sto ne floo r
ot
casing app ar~ tus ":'hi~h _1s not con nec te~ to
tou che s the
wit h whi ch the Jive wir e 1s m contact, he wil l also ear th <llld
an ear th shock. rec eiv e

Precautions Aga ins t Earth Sho ck

1. Wa ter and gas pip es sho uld be out of rea ch
of app ara tu
and pat ien ts rec eiv ing trea tme nt. 8
2. The floor sho uld be always of ins ula ting
ma teri al and it
sho uld be kep t dry .
·
3. Metal cas ing of all app ara tus mu st be con nec
ted to ear th.
4 .. Special car e mu st be tak en wh en the cur
ren t is giv en
thr oug h bat h. Wa ter sho uld not be add ed
to the bat h
dur ing trea tme nt.
5. Fus es mu st be on the live wir e and sw itch es mu
st bre ak
the live wire.
6. A cur ren t which is use d for the tre atm ent of
the pat ien t
should always ear th-f ree and to ma ke the cur ren
t ear th-
fre e use stat ic tran sfo rme r.
7. Patient should not be per mit ted to _touch the
app ara tus
during trea hne nt.

Electric Shock (3 Marks)

It is a pa inf ul stimulation of sensory and motor
nerves, caused
by a sudden flo w, cessation of flow or variation
of intensity of
 Mains Supply
:a
current passing through _the body, resulting in mild discomfort
and fear to loss of consciousness and death in a few cases.
In physi othera py depar tment a shock can be caused by
poorly desi~ ed or ba?ly serviced electromedical apparatus,
faulty handling of equipment and poor patient preparations.
Depending on the severity, shock can be classified: Mild
shock or severe shock.
follow ing a mild shock:· The victim may be frightened and
may get a painful sensory stimulation. There may be breathing
difficulty but no loss of consciousness.
follow ing a. severe shock: The victim may remain con-
nected to the circuit, there may be muscular paralysis; fall in
blood pressure, ventricular fibrillation, loss of consciousness,
cessation of respiration and cardiac arrest.

Electric Shock (7 Marks)

An electric shock is a painful stimulation of sensory and motor
nerves, caused by a sudde n flow, cessation of flow or variation
of intensity of curren t passing through the body, resulting in
mild discomfort and fear to loss of consciousness and death in
a few cases. •
In the depar tment of physiotherapy a shock results from
either due to poorl y desig ned or badly serviced electro-
medical appar atus, faulty operation of equipment and poor
patien t preparations..
The measµre of the shock intensity is the amount of current
passe d throu gh the body that causes the damage. The greater
the curre nt which passes through the body,,the·more severe is
the shock. Shocks are generally more severe with alternating
than with direct current.
Causes of electric shock: A perso n may obtain a shock
witho ut touching the active wire of the power supply by the
•following ways: ·
Sudden alteration of the current flow: If a low or medium
frequency curren t is switched on with the controls turned up
or if insufficient time is allowed for the apparatus to warm up,
so that the curre nt comes on sudde nly after the controls have
been turne d up, •it results· in a sudde n flow of current giving
 B · Electrotherapy
. 11e intensity control is turned
shock. Shock may als~ occur~f. t the flow of an interrupted or
up unduly during the mterva m
surged current. . . Man electrical apparatus have
Improper earth con~ecttoft~ e ca~ be actually shortened to
metal casings. An active :~ Yn of the instrument, moisture,
the casing because of th: d pr dte to misuse or age. A person
deterioration of_the eq=e~h~ casing could get a shock.
(patient/therapISt) t:~ In afi pieces of electrical equipment the
Leakage ofcu"ent •. parts are -separated fron:i the rest of
intende? current :~~rs. With high quality insulation and
the eq~ip~e1 br there will be no problem with leakage
good orcui~ ~ths designs, the leakage current from the
currents but w1 p . h d
wires carrying the current will be azar oush. 11. I .
• • nections: It is important t. at a'th e hectrical
Two-pm con
e ui ment should have a three-pin connection w1 t e earth
q p ti'on to avoid the leakage currents and hazards
connec . from
metal casings. The three-pin system offers the f rotehction _of ~e
fuse blowing, if there is a leakage or metal causing s ort c1rcu1t.
The three-pin system has the protective ground connection, is
the first to be plugged in and the last to be unplugged. The .
building itself must carry a good grounding system for the
power supply. If the above features are a~sent and a two-pin
connection is used it may give the shock.
Faulty electrical components: The presence of faulty
components such as a faulty transforID:er or a leaky capacitor
may be hazardous giving electric shock.
Non-insulated floorings: It is mandatory to have the floor
of the electrotherapy unit to the insulated through vinyl or
some other insulated floorings. If the floor is not insulated it
enhances the occurrence of the earth shock.
Faulty switch and fuse connection: It is essential that the
switches and fuses must break the live wire,· if not it may
produce shock.

Features of Electric Shock

F~llowing a mild shock: The victim may be frightened and
distressed, may get a painful sensory stimul ti Th
be breathin A:tc ul a on. ere may
g "'"11c ty but no l?ss of consciousness.
 _Mains Supply ··-

Following a severe shock: The victim may remain connected

to the circuit, there may be muscular paralysis; fall in blood
pressure, ventr!cu!ar fibrillati_on, loss of consciousness,
cessation of resprration and cardiac arrest..
The cessation of respiration is recognized by lack of
respiratory movem~~ts and cyanosis, whereas the cardiac
arrest can be recognized by the absence or abnormality of
respiratory movements, absence of pulse in the carotid artery
and fully dilated pupils.

rreatrr_,ent of Electric Shock

• In the event of electric shock, the first step is to disconnect
the victim from the contact with the current source. The
current should be switched off at once.
• If there is no switch. in the circuit the victim must be
removed from contact with the conductor, but the rescuer
must take care not to receive a shock himself by touching
the affected person. The contact with the affected person
should only be made by a thick layer of insulated
material: After the person is removed a medical officer is
im~ediately consulted-and the fo~owing steps are taken. _·
• If the shock is a minor one, the victim is reassured and
gi~en rest. The victim may be given water to drink but
hot drinks should be avoided as they cause vasodilatation
and sweating and a further fall in blood pressure.
• If the shock is more severe, the victim is laid flat in such a
position that the respiratory passages are clear. The tight
clothing should be loosened and plenty of air is circulated
to avoid undue warming, as it causes vasodilatation and
increases sweating. The external heat inc-reases the
metabolism and so the demand for oxygen also increases
which is hazardous.
• If the patient is unconscious no.thing is given by mouth. H
the respiration has ceased, clear the airways and start
artificial respiration by mouth to mouth or mouth to nose
methods and proceed for oxygen administration by a bag
and mask. In the event of cardiac arrest, start external
cardiac massage with mouth to mouth or mouth to nose
breathing.
---- ---- .wl iiiE RR r .. . tµflJlfOll'illfMJY
Precautions Against Electric Shock
1. Ensure that the current used is ea~- free.
2. Ensure that the switches and fuses break the live Wire.
3. Ensure that the apparatus casing is connected to earth.
4. Ensure that the power plug has three pins, gne for live
other for neutral and the third for earth. ,
S. Ensure that the patient does not touch the appa ratus
during treatment.
6. The floor.should be always of insulating mate rial and it
should be kept dry.
7. Water and gas pipes should be out of re<;1ch of appa ratus
and patients receiving treatment. .
8. While applying the treatment in baths ensu re that, the
bath is made from insulating material and there should
be no leaka ge of wate r, whic h may mak e an earth
connection.

lntemaffonal Color Coding of Electrical Supply (3 Marks) .

All pieces of equipment working on a powe r drcu it shou ld be
connected to the supp ly by a three-pin wall plug. The pins that
fit into the power sockets are arranged in a triangle, two being
l

Earth wire . .,. _-+--- ---+

Live wire

Neutral wire - - ~-F use

Cable grip
Outer insulation--+ •-~:. •. ·
·.:~~ ",' •

. .
',,·/

Fig. 5.8: Electrical plug with wiring

 similar and the third (earth pin) being eith
er large or dif- •
ferently spaced from others, so that the plug
can be inserted
into the socket in one way.
The two similar pins connect the apparatus wit
h the supply
and are marked L and N for the live and the
neutral wires
respectively. The wires that connect the L pin
are either red or
brown in color and that connect to the N pin are
ejther black or
blue in color. The earth pin is connected to the
wire with color
of green and yellow which connect the out
er casing of the
apparatus to earth (Fig. 5.8). •.

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