IEC TS 60479-2:2017

IEC TS 60479-2 ®
Edition 4.0 2017-10
REDLINE VERSION
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
colour
inside
BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION
Effects of current on human beings and livestock –
Part 2: Special aspects
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IEC TS 60479-2 ®
Edition 4.0 2017-10
REDLINE VERSION
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
colour
inside
BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION
Effects of current on human beings and livestock –
Part 2: Special aspects
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 13.200; 29.020 ISBN 978-2-8322-4243-8

– 2 – IEC TS 60479-2:2017 RLV © IEC 2017

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5

1 Scope . 7

2 Normative references . 7

3 Terms and definitions . 8

4 Effects of alternating currents with frequencies above 100 Hz . 10

4.1 General . 10

4.2 Effects of alternating current in the frequency range above 100 Hz up to and
including 1 000 Hz . 11
4.2.1 Threshold of perception . 11
4.2.2 Threshold of let-go . 11
4.2.3 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation . 12
4.3 Effects of alternating current in the frequency range above 1 000 Hz up to
and including 10 000 Hz . 13
4.3.1 Threshold of perception . 13
4.3.2 Threshold of let-go . 13
4.3.3 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation . 14
4.4 Effects of alternating current in the frequency range above 10 000 Hz . 14
4.4.1 General . 14
4.4.2 Threshold of perception . 14
4.4.3 Threshold of let-go . 14
4.4.4 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation . 14
4.4.5 Other effects . 15
5 Effects of special waveforms of current . 15
5.1 General . 15
5.2 Equivalent magnitude, frequency and threshold . 16
5.3 Effects of alternating current with DC components . 16
5.3.1 Waveforms and frequencies and current thresholds . 16
5.3.2 Threshold of startle reaction . 17
5.3.3 Threshold of let-go . 18
5.3.4 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation . 19
6 Effects of alternating current with phase control . 22
6.1 Waveforms and frequencies and current thresholds . 22

6.2 Threshold of startle reaction and threshold of let-go . 23
6.3 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation . 24
6.3.1 General . 24
6.3.2 Symmetrical control . 24
6.3.3 Asymmetrical control . 24
7 Effects of alternating current with multicyle control . 24
7.1 Waveforms and frequencies . 24
7.2 Threshold of startle reaction and threshold of let-go . 25
7.3 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation . 25
7.3.1 General . 25
7.3.2 Shock durations exceeding longer than 1,5 times the period of the
cardiac cycle . 26
7.3.3 Shock durations less than 0,75 times the period of the cardiac cycle . 26
8 Estimation of the equivalent current threshold for mixed frequencies . 26

8.1 Threshold of perception and let-go . 26

8.2 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation . 27

9 The effect of repeated pulses (bursts) of current on the threshold of ventricular

fibrillation Effects of current pulse bursts and random complex irregular

waveforms . 27

9.1 Ventricular fibrillation threshold of multiple bursts pulses of current
separated by 1 s 300 ms or more . 27

9.2 Ventricular fibrillation threshold of multiple bursts pulses of current
separated by less than 1 s 300 ms . 27

9.2.1 General . 27

9.2.2 Examples. 28
9.2.3 Random complex irregular waveforms . 31
10 Effects of electric current through the immersed human body . 33
10.1 General . 33
10.2 Resistivity of water solutions and of the human body . 33
10.3 Conducted current through immersed body . 35
10.4 Physiological effects of current through the immersed body . 36
10.5 Threshold values of current . 37
10.6 Intrinsically “safe” voltage values . 37
11 Effects of unidirectional single impulse currents of short duration . 37
11.1 General . 37
11.2 Effects of unidirectional impulse currents of short duration . 38
11.2.1 Waveforms . 38
11.2.2 Determination of specific fibrillating energy F . 39
e
11.3 Threshold of perception and threshold of pain for capacitor discharge . 40
11.4 Threshold of ventricular fibrillation . 41
11.4.1 General . 41
11.4.2 Examples. 43
Annex A (informative) Random complex irregular waveform analysis . 45
A.1 General . 45
A.2 Formal theoretical statement of the method . 45
A.3 Demonstration of the calculation . 46
A.3.1 General . 46
A.3.2 Choice of justified current . 48
A.3.3 Choice of sampling step size . 48

A.4 Examples 1 and 2 . 49
Bibliography . 52

Figure 1 – Variation of the threshold of perception within the frequency range
50/60 Hz to 1 000 Hz . 11
Figure 2 – Variation of the threshold of let-go within the frequency range 50/60 Hz to
1 000 Hz . 12
Figure 3 – Variation of the threshold of ventricular fibrillation within the frequency
range 50/60 Hz to 1 000 Hz, shock durations longer than one heart period and
longitudinal current paths through the trunk of the body . 12
Figure 4 – Variation of the threshold of perception within the frequency range
1 000 Hz to 10 000 Hz . 13
Figure 5 – Variation of the threshold of let-go within the frequency range 1 000 Hz to
10 000 Hz . 13

– 4 – IEC TS 60479-2:2017 RLV © IEC 2017

Figure 6 – Variation of the threshold of ventricular fibrillation for continuous sinusoidal

current for use from 1 000 Hz to a maximum of 150 kHz . 15

Figure 7 – Waveforms of currents . 17

Figure 8 – Let-go thresholds for men, women and children . 18

Figure 9 – 99,5 percentile let-go thr
...