The Taser, manufactured by Taser International of Scottsdale, Ariz., is a gun-like device that uses compressed nitrogen to fire two metal probes about 20 feet.
Each Taser cartridge, containing the probes and compressed nitrogen gas propellant, has a unique serial number. The number and the Taser itself are logged to a specific officer trained in its use. Taser International has to activate the serial number before the gun will work.
When a Taser cartridge is fired, compressed nitrogen gas propels two probes toward its target. At the same time, each cartridge sprinkles 20 to 30 pieces of confetti with the serial number of the cartridge printed on each piece.
The propelled probes are tethered to the Taser by metal wires, which conduct 50,000 volts, but very little amperage, into a person's body.
The 50,000 volts create a spark that will transmit electricity through 2 inches of clothing, but only short pulses of 400 volts actually enter the body. By shuffling feet on a carpet and touching a doorknob, any person can discharge, and feel, 20,000 volts of static electricity.
It is the electrical current, measured in amperes (or amps), that causes damage to the human body. A 110-volt wall socket delivers 16 amps. The average Christmas tree bulb has about 1 amp of current. The Taser delivers 0.0021 amps, or 2.1 milliamps.
That electricity interferes with communication within the nervous system, causing muscles to contract and making movement uncontrolled. Tasering provides a five-second "window of opportunity" to handcuff a suspect before he or she regains muscle control.
Source: Taser International
