I live in an older, American home. The house has some grounded outlets in the living room and den areas because of a remodel (I verified this with my multimeter) but I have to work in a finished basement with no such protections. I can't work in the den area out of consideration for others.
So far, I think I've skated by on the ambient humidity to dissipate static. But after zapping a chip, I now tire of this situation and seek to find a suitable earth ground for equipment, etc. I can't afford to have an electrician ground my outlets. Recommendations on the net for a cheap fix is putting in a GFCI, which for my purposes is like skydiving with a belt and suspenders but no chute.
I do have exposed copper piping running through parts of the basement, but I've seen corners of the net dismiss using it without giving a reason. The other alternative I'm considering is taking a length of copper pipe outside the basement window and driving it into the earth, then running a wire into the basement to serve as a dedicated ground.
Thoughts on any part of this?
So far, I think I've skated by on the ambient humidity to dissipate static. But after zapping a chip, I now tire of this situation and seek to find a suitable earth ground for equipment, etc. I can't afford to have an electrician ground my outlets. Recommendations on the net for a cheap fix is putting in a GFCI, which for my purposes is like skydiving with a belt and suspenders but no chute.
I do have exposed copper piping running through parts of the basement, but I've seen corners of the net dismiss using it without giving a reason. The other alternative I'm considering is taking a length of copper pipe outside the basement window and driving it into the earth, then running a wire into the basement to serve as a dedicated ground.
Thoughts on any part of this?