Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

whocaresit

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 18, 2010
618
10
Will the iPhone or iPod touch electrocute a person if it falls into a bathtub? :confused:

Not concerned about the damage to the phone, but will the person live to tell the story?
 
Will the iPhone or iPod touch electrocute a person if it falls into a bathtub? :confused:

i would imagine it would of already happened if it could happen. with as many people here addicted to their iphones im sure someone on this earth as dropped it in the tub, lol
 
If it were plugged in without GFCI sockets, I suppose it could.
Actually, even if it were plugged in it couldn't hurt you because the voltage is very low. Remember the 120 volt AC adapter reduces and converts the wall voltage down to around 5 volts DC.
 
Actually, even if it were plugged in it couldn't hurt you because the voltage is very low. Remember the 120 volt AC adapter reduces and converts the wall voltage down to around 5 volts DC.

Actually, voltage matters less than current ... 5V at 10A can kill - and it won't even trip the breaker.
 
NO. Not enough amperage.

Anecdotal evidence only... A neighbor actually dropped his iPhone 3G in the tub while he was giving his toddler a bath. The kid was fine and the iPhone still worked despite the glowing red sensors.
 
No, but when you dive into the tub trying to save your iPhone you could hit your head and be knocked unconscience, face down in the water. You'll know if this has happened when grandma and Elvis walk toward you, out of a briliant white light.
 
No, but when you dive into the tub trying to save your iPhone you could hit your head and be knocked unconscience, face down in the water. You'll know if this has happened when grandma and Elvis walk toward you, out of a briliant white light.

Why would I be at my grandma's and what the hell is Elvis doing there?
 
Yes.

Go ahead and pay for those big money life insurance policies. See you on 48 Hours Mystery.
 
As discussed previously it's the current that kills, not voltage.

Also keep in mind that alternating current is far more deadlier (especially at low frequencies). "Low frequency (50–60 Hz) alternating currents can be more dangerous than similar levels of DC since the alternating fluctuations can cause the heart to lose coordination, inducing ventricular fibrillation, a deadly heart rhythm that must be corrected immediately." -wikipedia

Now there's always the argument that because AC causes muscles to contract so you might actually involuntarily let go of the source of electricity, but in this case where you are having a bath I deem it as irrelevant.

The iPhone uses a ithium-ion battery which all operate with voltages of 3,6-3,7V DC. Now the human body has a resistance that is dependant on the entry points level of moisturisation. On dry skin it's somewhere in the 100kohm range and with wet skin around 1kohm. When you are in a bath I'd say the skin is pretty wet. Thus we can apply ohm's law and calculate the current (I=U/R). 3,7V/1000ohm = 3,7mA.

According to wikipedia 300-500mA DC is needed for ventricular fibrillation and this is assuming you are applying the current straight to the chest. In this bath case if you just drop it in a random spot of the tub you have to take into consideration the fact that water in itself is pretty resistive as well making the current that flows through you even smaller.

All that being said it's fairly safe to take a bath with your iPhone. :)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.