why would there be a difference if he was on the bed or standing on the floor ?

Bedding would have provided better isolation from ground potential (or a potential low enough to cause harm).

He said he tried to tug on the chain so we have no idea how long he decided to keep a hold on it.

Once the chain was welded to the socket contacts, all current would go through the welds. The fact that the chain drew enough current to weld it in place saved your son from significant injury.

 

No. Your child is in no danger, no concern. The GFCI did it's job and tripped before any current could flow through your child at any appreciable level. If he did feel anything it would not have been a shock, but rather a buzz, because it's a 60Hz cycle. Average trip time for a contemporary circuit-breaker in the US is < 20ms.

Thank you NEC for requiring such measures in homes. A life was saved.

And yes, I did something similar at the age, so I know. And no, I'm not a licensed pediatrician but I have more knowledge/experience with 'touch & step' live voltage than most because of products we develop related to the human body and current through it.

Thank you for your reply. All these replies from people with knowledge in this subject make me feel at ease. I have 2 sisters that are physicians and friends that are physicians and they definitely do not have all the answers. And advice from people who do this professionally is appreciated.

 

If he did feel anything it would not have been a shock, but rather a buzz, because it's a 60Hz cycle. .

'
When I started out, I was doing some work on my parents house and inadvertently left the fuse in, I grasped 240v 50hz N & L with each hand!
Definitely not a Buzz!
The result was the my arms were uncontrollably thrown back by automatic muscle spasm, fortunately.
I worked with one guy here and he used to test for power by putting the L & N 120v across the palm of one hand!
Max.

 

I had an old electrician who was a retired lineman for the electric utility. He had been "zapped" on some HV lines.

As my electrician, to determine whether a fuse was blown, he would just "walk" his thumb and finger down the fuse box. He would only feel a "tickle" as his nerves in that arm had been severely damaged by the HV.

Totally weird to watch!

 

'
When I started out, I was doing some work on my parents house and inadvertently left the fuse in, I grasped 240v 50hz N & L with each hand!
Definitely not a Buzz!
The result was the my arms were uncontrollably thrown back by automatic muscle spasm, fortunately.
I worked with one guy here and he used to test for power by putting the L & N 120v across the palm of one hand!
Max.

240VAC isn't a buzz- 120VAC is but this depends on duration and other factors involved. As you know, you're an impedance that it breaks down. Your composite materials aren't enough to withstand the voltage level across you so current moves through you, disintegrating you.

120VAC with a <20ms exposure time means that (for the most part), electrons were moved, and then moved back roughtly where they started, at 60Hz.

 

I can only guess that most of us, if not all of us in this field have been zapped with at least 100V and more in our careers (400V in my case. 20KV from a Van der Graaf generator doesn't count). We all survived and turned out normal, I think.

Edit: I forgot to mention the shock from automotive spark plug cables, which is now obsolete with current ignition systems.

 

240VAC isn't a buzz- 120VAC is.

I have had a few at 120v I would describe it as a 'Tingle' if anything.
Max.

 

We all survived and turned out normal, I think.

It never affected me...me...me...me...me..me

"MaxHeadroom"

 

When I called the pediatrician he said don’t worry. My sister is a physician and she said don’t worry. It was my other sisters house and she said lamp was on the floor and unplugged but the maid must have plugged it back in and put back on the table.

When a pediatrician says don't worry and another physician (your sister) says don't worry and the kid appears to be just fine I suggest you relax and not worry. When he was a kid my brother shoved a large U nail into an outlet. The U nail partially vaporized and fused itself to the outlet. Other than a very brief bit of a shock (120 Volt 60 Hz.) there was more damage from the blistered burnt flesh than electrical shock. Trust me a doctor has been through considerably more school than most of us here and is likely the person to listen to. While I understand your concerns I would listen to what the doctors have told you.

Just My Take....
Ron

 

I stuck my finger in a light socket or two as a kid. It wasn't that bad if i remember. Just a odd tingle up your arm to about your elbow.

 

As you can tell, the regulars on here have all received shocks at some point in their life. My best was peeing on an electric fence as a teenager and that brings in a whole new kind of sensation that we wont discuss here. Being in automotive, been poked by 20,000 plus ignition volts several times and all I got out of it was feeling more energized for the day. Others feel tired and that is when you should worry. I guess any electrical shock can throw the heartbeat off but your son was protected by that chain as others have said. You can't always protect them. They need to learn but I can relate. We have children and grandchildren as well, and they are precious. All good.