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!
What ๐คจ... how so?
Ohh its not my house and homeowner said it will be potentially expensive and will need professional help finding a suitable place to drive the rod in to not cause damage. I agreed and that was that
So the rod itself is a trivial cost, if all you are really interested in is a grounded workbench.
For ESD, hammer a 2' bit of copper pipe into the ground outside near your workbench, and if you have 2 prong only at your workbench, connect the pipe with whatever gauge wire to an adapter like this
https://www.rona.ca/en/product/globe-electric-2-pack-15-amp-3-wire-grounding-white-adapter-58746-0079591?viewStore=55250
This is not good enough for safety faults, but it will give you the same 0v reference on everything you plug downstream from the adapter. Put the wire on any metal furniture and shelving you will interact with while you work at the bench.
GFCI covers the safety requirements of an actual ground.
I should have mentioned, grounding out the panels and outlets properly is the expensive part. You don't need the whole house done.
Tell him what I proposed in the comment above. It's not expensive at all and works great (have done it in a few houses).