In the Tektronix book "Biophysical Measurements" book, it states that it
only takes 10mA of current to stop the human heart if a circuit path through
it is created (like hand to hand or hand to foot). Most old timers put one
hand in their pocket so that there is no path. You will still get an
alarming little shock but it won't be lethal.
The threshold of pain is about 1 mA.
Conversely most pacemakers only generate 10 microamps to pace the heart.
Your friend is wise to be afraid. I have worked in more than one shop where
a person was electrocuted due to carelessness. One must respect high
voltage and electricity 24/7.
I also belong to a Hammond organ technical group and it never ceases to
amaze me the risks some people take. I am constantly telling people to hire
a professional technician if they are not absolutely certain of what they
are doing. Vintage tube equipment has many different lethal voltages.
You will notice that in almost every manual, even for the TM series,
warnings about lethal voltages inside.
I know that most of you are seasoned technicians - this is more directed to
newbies and persons more used to CMOS and TTL voltages in digital equipment.
