To start off: I was explaining to my friend that I don’t have a grounding point in my house (plumbing is PVC, outlets are gcfi protected only, not allowed to drive a grounding rod into the ground, etc…) and that I’ve just been handling sensitive electronics with just luck and preparation (humidity, moisturizer, no synthetic clothing, etc…) all this time. He told me to just wire myself to a good, multimeter tested, grounding point in a car and that will discharge any built-up static electricity. I’m not smart enough to argue with him on this subject but that doesnt seem the safest. Would that work or should I just keep doing my method? My understanding is that chassis grounding is essentially replacing wires with the frame so the outcome would just be connecting myself to the negative terminal of a car battery.

Tldr: I’m explaining my lack of a grounding point at home for sensitive electronics and is advised by my friend to wire myself to a grounded point in a car to discharge built-up static electricity. However, I’m uncertain about the safety of this suggestion and questions whether my current method of handling electronics with precautions is sufficient.

Edit: lmao people are really getting hung up on the no grounded outlet part. Umm my best explanation I guess is that its an older house that had 2 prong outlets and was “updated” with gfci protected outlets afterwards think the breakers as well. My understanding is that its up to code but I’m not an electrician. As for the plumbing I’m sure there’s still copper somewhere but the majority has been updated to pvc over the years. Again it’s not my house I don’t want to go biting the hand that feeds me. Thank you though, haha

Edit #2: thank you all so much for the helpful advice, I really appreciate all of you!

  • Treczoks@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    This is in the US, yes? Don’t they have this two phase system of 220V that offers 2x110V, with ground being the center?

    • Death_Equity@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Only on some homes, mostly modern ones or houses that had 220v made available for some appliances. Our standard outlets are 110v single phase with a ground pin that earths the home side with a rod driven into the water table.

      • Nollij
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        10 months ago

        No, the parent is correct. We have 240v (not 220), and that gets split into pairs of 120v outlets.

        Technology Connections did a video that explains it better than I ever could, so I’ll just link that instead.

        https://youtu.be/jMmUoZh3Hq4?feature=shared

        • Death_Equity@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          They were talking about at the outlet, which is only 110v or 220v for some appliances. Not 220v standard like European plugs.