NATE Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Practice Exam

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Complete your NATE Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Test. Get ready with flashcards and multiple choice questions, all with detailed hints and explanations. Achieve success on your exam!

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Exposure to an electric current of ____ mA can be fatal if it lasts for one second or more.

  1. 1 mA

  2. 10 to 20 mA

  3. 50 to 75 mA

  4. 100 to 200 mA

The correct answer is: 100 to 200 mA

The correct option indicates that exposure to an electric current of 100 to 200 mA can be fatal if it lasts for one second or more. This is due to the physiological effects that such a current can have on the human body, particularly related to the heart and nervous system. Currents in this range can lead to severe cardiac complications, including ventricular fibrillation, which is a life-threatening condition where the heart quivers instead of pumping effectively. At lower ranges, such as 1 mA, 10 to 20 mA, or even 50 to 75 mA, while they can still be hazardous, the likelihood of fatal consequences decreases significantly. Currents below 10 mA might cause a tingling sensation and muscle contractions but are generally not lethal. As the current increases, the risk of serious injury or death also increases, particularly when exposure lasts for a second or more. Therefore, understanding these thresholds is crucial for safety when working with electrical systems and recognizing the potential dangers of electrical exposure.