Final answer:
Insulated shoes, also known as dielectric shoes, are footwear designed to protect against electrical shocks by preventing electric current from passing through the body to the ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shoes designed to protect individuals from electric shocks are known as insulated shoes or dielectric shoes. These shoes are made with materials that offer high electrical resistance, providing protection by preventing the passage of electrical current through the body to the ground.
This is especially important in workplaces with potential electrical hazards, where such insulating footwear becomes a critical safety tool. The use of insulated shoes is a protective measure to prevent electric shock, especially when working with high-voltage equipment or in environments where there is a risk of coming into contact with electric currents.
For example, if a person is foolishly trying to retrieve a burning piece of bread from a toaster with a metal butter knife and comes into contact with a 120-V AC source, insulated footwear could be lifesaving. A person wearing rubber-soled shoes with a high level of resistance might not even feel the electric shock, thanks to the insulation provided by the shoes, which interrupt the circuit to ground.