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!
Why do people feel like grounding while handling electronics products is relevant? What is sensitive electronics? I have handled/soldered bare ICs, expensive GPU/CPUs, ... and never had and issues with static (the things were not broken after installation) without any sort of grounding or any other thought spent on this topic. Note that I never get static shocks unless during very specific weather conditions when getting out of my car (maybe 4x per year).
Also, how can you be connected to the grid without any sort of ground? How is that not on breach of code(s)?
PS: obviously in a professional setting it makes sense
The thing is, it may not “break” them but may introduce difficult to localize unreliable operation - which you may even explain away as buggy software.
IC’s, especially small feature size CMOS, absolutely are subject to ESD damage.