Comparison of electric fields induced in humans and rodents by 60-Hz contact currents.

Contact currents flow when a conducting object such as an animal touches conductive surfaces at different potentials. This completes a path for current flow through the body. These currents provide an additional coupling mechanism between the human body and low-frequency external fields to that due to direct induction effects.

Pacemaker interference by 60-Hz contact currents.

Contact currents occur when a person touches conductive surfaces at different potentials, thereby completing a path for current flow through the body. Such currents provide an additional coupling mechanism between the human body and external low-frequency fields. The resulting fields induced in the body can cause interference with implanted cardiac pacemakers.