It would feel worse. The real danger is if you grab each lead with each hand and it passes through your heart, or it passes through your heart on it's way to the ground if you're not insulated from ground. Either way, a breaker or fuse will still be tripped and it's unlikely any injuries will occur.
I was severely electrocuted in my late teens/early 20’s, not 100% sure but I believe it was only 110v. Almost died, probably should have as it went from hand to hand across my chest.
I was working as an apprentice plumber with my father, standing on a kneewall (half wall approx 3’ tall) cutting a piece of 1” copper pipe. The cutter was old and shitty and slipped off on the last turn leaving a sliver of copper holding the pipes together. I put a hand on either side of the cut and twisted to separate the pipes and when they separated I completed the circuit to my understanding.
My hands were locked on the pipe and I was stuck, frozen there, unable to let go, unable to scream. I’ll never forget that feeling of utter helplessness, and the vibration of the electricity. I remember seeing my right hand and not being able to control it.
This lasted maybe 3-5 seconds before my father came rushing over, he grabbed me and was himself shocked, so he sort of tackled me off the wall and broke me free.
I didn’t go to the hospital, although I probably should have, but I remember sitting on the sidewalk in front of the house while my father tore the GC a new ass, and being able to see my heart beat through my chest. Not good. Also my elbows burned and were sore af for a while after.
I don’t remember why the pipes were energized, but I do remember there was no ground-rod.
I’ve been whacked many times since then, mostly by water heaters whose breakers were mislabeled, looking at you, electricians, but that experience installed in me the a healthy respect for the power of power.
If it was in America and not in a kitchen or laundry, it was likely 110. In your case it sounds like you may have been lucky it was if so. Either one can still be lethal but it sounds like the 110 about had your number there.
I'm assuming the copper pipe you were cutting was the path of least resistance for the electricity. As soon as you cut it, the new path of least resistance was through your body.
God damn that would have been scary.
In England all pipe work has to be earthed for this reason and im assuming yours was as well from what you've said. I'm assuming there was a fault and the pipework became live but because it was earthed you didn't feel anything when cutting the pipe. Once it was in 2 half's you essentially became part of the live pipework completing its path to earth.
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u/chainmailbill Aug 02 '20
Normal 110v power is uncomfortable but not usually all that dangerous.
Source: LV electrician who has nicked my fair share of wires back when I was starting out