In our lab, we have a high-temperature research furnace capable of reaching almo

Question

In our lab, we have a high-temperature research furnace capable of reaching almost 2000 Centigrade. When operating at maximum power, it draws 1000 Amperes (a massive current) at 4 volts.

In this instrument, the huge electrical elements carrying this current are unshielded (the copper contacts sit in open air). One is on each side of the furnace heating element, as you can see in the photo. Would it be dangerous to touch the current-in electrode during operation?

Note: the resistance of the human body varies, but we can take 100,000 Ohms as a reasonable estimate as a resistance from your finger to the ground. This assumes that you're dry and have thick skin. Furthermore, the main dangers with electrical shock are due to the current. You might feel a current of 1 mA, and above 50 mA things are starting to get "potentially" dangerous (for your heart, mainly).

Would it be dangerous, not dangerous, or not enough information?

Explanation / Answer

It would not be dangerous at all.

The current the furnace draws doesn't matter. Only voltage matters.

Our body might not even feel 4 V . Voltages above 150-200 V are a bit dangerous. But this is not.

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