OT: american vs european 220

The most "shocking" thing about getting shocked with house current is not the pain, nor the involuntary muscle movement, but the surprise. Most people never expect to get shocked, and the weird sensation will cause a panic, with the brain thinking "pull out!" and the muscles perhaps not following orders exactly, all with perhaps a little bit of a flash-bang effect - and then the injury happens (falling off ladders, etc.). Look at electricians, especially ones that repair old installations. They get bitten all the time, and they really don't flinch much at all. They are used to getting shocked. 120 V AC really does not hurt much at all, and 240 V is only slightly more painful - and I am not talking about whack your thumb with the hammer pain, here. A fair number of electricians actually test wires with their fingers. It is mostly just a very weird sensation. Get used to it, respect it, and it is not really an issue. -- Will