Affordable Grounding

Yes.  Best results(for me) was installing a ground rod just outside the wall, running CU cable through wall to my dedicated AC outlet(hospital Grade) ground connection,  then ALL AC power to my system plugged in to that receptacle.

I left much unsaid about my situation.  The home I have been living in for the last 28 years is a small cottage type structure, 20'x20' built in 1960.  The builders were NOT professional contractors by any means.  Nothing was built to current codes/standards.  I don't even think the used a basic level much.  Outlets are all two prong - no ground to the old panel and NO outside ground rod that I can see.  That is why I installed a ground rod and quality three prong outlet/receptical for my audio/TV system.  I have a digital antenna on my roof right above where I sit to listen to music and watch TV and the pole is aluminum.  Scares the bejesus out of me every time a thunder storm comes through.

 I guess I'm just an ignorant old man.  

Jim, Thanks for the advice> I am not an electrician.  This structure is resting on blocks and has no foundation.  Small crawl space and yes, it is possible the ground is on the steel water pipe.  All wood construction.  Two 20 amp circuits.

"Like I said the ground rod provides no protection from an electrical shock either. What it does do is provide a path for lightning in the event of a nearby lightning strike entering your home and damaging your equipment. I would remove the ground rod wire from the house entirely."

This statement is contradicting.  I want a path for lightning but then you state to remove the ground rod.....?  Please educate me.  Also use a Furman surge protector/conditioner.

Ha! Ha!  Just got home.  I am happy.  Happy as a Hermit!!  I do have a multimeter.  Too tired for now. Will update later.

Lawrence From Michigan

Michigan  -  Minnesota   Eh?  What's the diff.. 

Jim,  This house was not built with an access to the crawl space, where the water supply comes up from underground.  This house is a rental, in the back yard of the main house.  My water comes from a buried steel line from the main house in their basement.  I could tear apart a section of the covering but I assume the landlord not like.

So, you are suggesting that no matter an old original ground exist, undo the connection to the dedicated rod I installed?  For safety reasons and audio gear protection?

"I guess I'm just an ignorant old man."

I've been renting this little place for 28 years.  Rent is only $350.00/mo. and that INCLUDES heat and electricity.  If that makes me an ignorant Hermit then so be it.  I have everything I need.  Thanks!

No offense taken Jim.  I used that term.  Just having fun with this thread.   But also trying to learn something new.

Is there a way to check for the ground on the water pipe without physically looking at it?

Whew!!  A Lot of info here.  Thanks Jim.

My Rental has it's own drop from a pole on a side road, fed to an old panel that uses the round screw-in glass fuses, in the house.  Of course a meter is mounted directly on outside wall first.  

I know where the main water feed from the main house is, coming up from under house inside the bathroom vanity.

My Landlord, long passed, was the person(along with his Father) that built the main house first in 59-60.  Same two prong system.  Mrs. Landlord stayed in the house alone until she had to go to nursing home, where she still is at 94 years old.  I take care of the whole property, thus keeping the rent low.  For some reason their children want nothing to do with the property, but the eldest son is taking care of the $$$.  They are waiting for her passing, then sell the property.  The main house I believe has a ground rod just underneath the meter outside the main house.  So, if they had the sense to install a ground there, I would think they did also at my rental.

I'm not going start removing panels or hire electricians for this old place.  The Son will not either.  They do not want to put $$$ into this rental.  I do all the maintenance on the property.

I will disconnect the new ground and get back to the Forum with my observations.

Thank you for taking the time to share your professional advise.

Now I feel a bit awkward.  I DO have an old ground outside the house.

I forgot I had a Signal Generator from my telcom. days.  Hooked that up and lo and behold!!  A ground wire.  This wire I thought was an old coax cable turned out to be ground with sixty two years and many coats of paint!  Goes from the meter down to inside the crawl space, most likely to a rod or the water pipe.  It is at least 1/4 inch dia.

Thanks Jim for all the help.

Now I feel a bit awkward.  I DO have an old ground outside the house.

I forgot I had a Signal Generator from my telcom. days.  Hooked that up and lo and behold!!  A ground wire.  This wire I thought was an old coax cable turned out to be ground with sixty two years and many coats of paint!  Goes from the meter down to inside the crawl space, most likely to a rod or the water pipe.  It is at least 1/4 inch dia.

Thanks Jim for all the help.

ALL,

Disconnected my dedicated ground rod and do not hear a difference.  I installed that rod some years ago and had different audio gear.  Maybe at that time I thought there was a difference?  Any hoo, Thanks for all the help.

Lawrence From Michigan