What is the typical energy delivery characteristic of a CEW?

What is the typical energy delivery characteristic of a CEW?

• A. High voltage with high current
• B. High voltage with reduced current
• C. Low voltage with high current
• D. No voltage, only mechanical energy

Answer: (B)

CEWs rely on delivering very short, high-voltage pulses while keeping the current drawn from the body very low. The high voltage is needed to push current through the skin and clothing and reach peripheral nerves, while the current is kept small by the device’s design and the very brief pulse duration. Because energy delivered equals voltage times current times time, this combination results in a small amount of energy per pulse, which is enough to disrupt neuromuscular function without delivering sustained, high-energy exposure. This is why the typical energy delivery is described as high voltage with reduced current.

CEWs rely on delivering very short, high-voltage pulses while keeping the current drawn from the body very low. The high voltage is needed to push current through the skin and clothing and reach peripheral nerves, while the current is kept small by the device’s design and the very brief pulse duration. Because energy delivered equals voltage times current times time, this combination results in a small amount of energy per pulse, which is enough to disrupt neuromuscular function without delivering sustained, high-energy exposure. This is why the typical energy delivery is described as high voltage with reduced current.