High Voltage Powerline Injury Studies

Current pathways and reconstructions of human-injury after contact with distribution powerlines are not well understood. The impedance, currents, and modes of tissue destruction are rarely known. Eight anesthetized hogs, weighing 68 to 90 kg, were used in studies with potentials ranging from 2,100 to. 14,400 volts. Electrical contact was made between the hindlimbs, from the hindlimb to forelimb, and over other regions of the body. Currents from 4 to 70 amperes rms and impedances ranging from 130 to 477 ohms were measured. Phase angles up to 4° were observed.