How Many Volts Is A Police Taser Capable Of?

Last updated: February 25, 2024

Police tasers, such as the Taser International X26, can deliver up to 50,000 volts of electric shock, offering a non-lethal alternative to traditional firearms. Introduced in the early 2000s, these devices have been adopted by over 15,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide. They provide a means to temporarily immobilize an assailant, reducing the risk of fatal outcomes in arrest situations and promoting public safety and security.

What Is A Taser?

What Is A Taser?

Tasers are a type of non-lethal weapon used by law enforcement officers to subdue a suspect through “pain compliance”. They are designed to temporarily incapacitate or “stun” a person by delivering an electrical shock from a distance of up to 15 feet away. 

The shock is delivered through two small probes that are connected to the taser by insulated wires. The probes are made of a conductive material, such as metal, and are designed to penetrate the clothing of the target. 

How Do They Work?

Once the discharge hits the suspect’s body, it can cause “neuromuscular incapacitation.” This type of temporary incapacitation is caused by an electrical current that is sent through the attacker’s body, causing a disruption in communication between the brain and the muscles. 

This may lead to someone losing control of their body and seizing movement altogether. This gives the police officers the opportunity to apprehend and arrest the assailant in a less-lethal manner. 

Taser Voltage Vs. Taser Amperage: What is The Difference?

Tasers are popular self-defense weapons, and the voltage and amperage of the taser determine its effectiveness. The voltage represents the amount of electrical energy flowing through the taser weapon, while the amperage represents the rate at which that flow occurs. 

Usually, a police taser is capable of deploying 50,000 volts of electric shock per cycle. However, to prevent any serious injury to a target, a police taser’s cartridge is only capable of low-amperage electric shock. The Taser X26, which is often carried by law enforcement officers, has an electrical output of 2.1mA (0.0021 Amps). 

Newer models, such as the Advanced Taser M26, have an output that can reach a maximum of 3.6mA average current (0.0036 Amps) and 55,000 volts. Nevertheless, the typical output of a police taser on a human body is a fraction of the dangerous level. 

Are Tasers Deadly?

Tasers are a type of non-lethal weapon used by law enforcement to subdue suspects. They are designed to temporarily incapacitate a person by delivering an electric shock, which causes muscle contractions and pain. 

While they are generally considered to be an effective form of policing, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that electric shocks can have a long-term negative impact on the person receiving them. Studies have shown that electric shocks can cause physical and psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. 

In addition to the psychological effects, electric shocks can also cause physical pain and discomfort. They can cause burns and other skin irritations, as well as muscle spasms and aches. 

When Should Police Use Tasers?

When Should Police Use Tasers?

The use of tasers and other less-lethal weapons by police departments is an increasingly common practice. But when should police use tasers? This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on the situation and the individual officer’s judgment.  

In some cases, a taser may be the best course of action, while in others, it may be entirely inappropriate. For instance, if an officer is dealing with a situation where there is a significant risk of physical harm to the officer or another civilian and immediate action is required, then the use of a Taser device might be inappropriate. 

According to a training manual distributed by the state’s Law Enforcement Standards Board, electronic control devices should be used primarily when someone is actively resisting, which “involves a subject physically counteracting an officer’s control efforts — under circumstances in which the behavior itself, the environment in which the behavior occurs, or officer or subject factors create a risk of bodily harm.”

Is A Taser More Effective Than A Stun Gun?

This is a question that has been debated for some time now. Both of these weapons are designed to incapacitate a person, but there are some key differences between the two. A stun gun is a close-proximity self-defense tool that uses an electric current to temporarily disrupt voluntary muscle control by pressing its prongs against the attacker. 

On the other hand, tasers shoot probed wires from a distance of 15 feet to 25 feet. Pulling the trigger would instantly incapacitate an assailant with its 50,000-volt electric output. This voltage is powerful enough to cause a person to experience an intense shock, resulting in involuntary muscle contraction and disorientation.

Choosing between the two largely depends on your security needs, as both devices are great self-defense tools. If you want to build your own taser device from scratch, check out this article on disposable camera tasers by Security Forward. 

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