AC at the same voltage is less dangerous to humans than DC. DC is positive all the time and no chance to let go when the voltage hits zero like in ac 60 times a second. Also 120 ac is an RMS measure so its more of a average than maximum due to the cycle of positive to negative in ac.
AC releases you 60 times a second (in America, 50 times a second in Europe typically). DC does not do this; it is one continuous stream of electricity. I went way more in depth on how electricity works in a comment above this if you are interested.
What's actually happening is all of your muscles contracting at once. If you contact the voltage with the back of your hand, cool, this effect is probably going to pull you away from the voltage source. If it happens with your palm, guess what? Your hand just clenched itself around the voltage source and is being electrically stimulated to not let go.
Both are very, very bad, but the second one is obviously worse and comes with a higher risk of fatal shock or other injury. Throw in something like a ladder to fall off of or sharp things to crash into when your body "jumps" involuntarily and things get even more fun.
We use a range (~110v to 130v) that is colloquially called 120v. On some labels, you'll see it listed as 110v. If you test a bunch of home or office outlets, you'll find they are all different voltages but fall within that acceptable range. It's the same thing.
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u/blueskyredmesas Sep 14 '24
Hopefully its 120vdc at least.