What is the potential effect of a current level above 2000 mA?

A current level above 2000 mA, or 2 amps, can lead to cardiac arrest due to the disruption of the heart’s normal electrical activity. When such a high current flows through the body, it can interfere with the heart's electrical signals, potentially stopping the heart from beating effectively or causing it to go into a chaotic rhythm known as ventricular fibrillation. This condition is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention, as the heart may not effectively pump blood to the rest of the body, leading to loss of consciousness and ultimately, if not treated quickly, death.

While high currents can cause severe muscular contractions or painful shocks, and can indeed lead to ventricular fibrillation, the most critical and life-threatening condition at this level of current is cardiac arrest. Therefore, understanding that currents above this threshold pose such significant risk facilitates the importance of adhering to electrical safety practices, especially around high-voltage systems.