Which statement best describes a primary voltage shock?

Which statement best describes a primary voltage shock?

• A. -20-100 volts and occurs when touching a bare spot on the electrode cable while the body touches the metal you're welding
• B. EMF (electromagnetic field) exposure
• C. -230-460 volts and occurs when touching a hot part inside the machine while also touching grounded metal
• D. No shock is possible at such voltages

Answer: (C)

Primary voltage shock comes from contact with live parts on the welding machine’s power supply (the primary circuit). The voltages here are high, in the hundreds of volts, so touching a live internal part while your body is grounded can push current through you. The described situation—touching a hot internal component and also touching grounded metal—creates a path for current to flow from the live primary through your body to ground, which is why this is the correct description. The other scenarios involve lower voltages or non-shock effects (EMF) and don’t describe the high-voltage hazard on the primary side; saying no shock is possible at these voltages is also incorrect.

Primary voltage shock comes from contact with live parts on the welding machine’s power supply (the primary circuit). The voltages here are high, in the hundreds of volts, so touching a live internal part while your body is grounded can push current through you. The described situation—touching a hot internal component and also touching grounded metal—creates a path for current to flow from the live primary through your body to ground, which is why this is the correct description. The other scenarios involve lower voltages or non-shock effects (EMF) and don’t describe the high-voltage hazard on the primary side; saying no shock is possible at these voltages is also incorrect.