'Grounding' Sheet plugs

These seem, on the surface, to be similar to the ‘anti-static mats’ which have been a common precaution in the electronics world for decades.

Hopefully the connection to earth incorporates a high value resistance (1meg or more) so that, should the ‘earth’ connection rise above true earth, the current flowing through a person in contact with the mat is very small. I certainly hope that the connection between the earth pin & the mat is not direct!

It would be informative to check if there is a suitable resistor in the plug or the lead.

I believe the 1M resistor in antistatic workstation leads is mainly to reduce the shock if the user accidentally pokes a live wire on the equipment being worked on, while being connected to their antistatic wrist strap.

But I can see it also protecting against PME earth issues.

Simon Barker: 
 

I believe the 1M resistor in antistatic workstation leads is mainly to reduce the shock if the user accidentally pokes a live wire on the equipment being worked on, while being connected to their antistatic wrist strap.

I concur, it is.  But it also has certain ‘reverse’ benefits - you wouldn't want to to tethered to a ‘hot’ earth by your wrist strap!

That is very high-strength snake oil!

I see no intrinsic reason why the fake plug should not be made accurately to conform with BS 1363.

It's a sort of supplementary bonding device. I shall try bonding my antique iron bedstead and see if that works. ?

Provided that a resistance of one meg-ohm or thereabouts is incorporated then this seems harmless but arguably needless. 

In the absence of such a resistor then there is a small risk.

Anyone remember those rubber strips they dangled from cars to touch the road and therefore “earth the chassis” to combat travel sick and static shocks a few years back?

The plug for my anti-static work mat has three metal pins, an LED that indicates the earth is working and a label that says it includes a 1M resistor.

Not tried sleeping on it, though I have been known to nod off at lunchtime sitting in my chair.

ebee: 
 

Anyone remember those rubber strips they dangled from cars to touch the road and therefore “earth the chassis” to combat travel sick and static shocks a few years back?

I just try to remember to hold on to the door when I put my foot down as I get out so I don't get a shock when I turn round to shut it!

So it looks like one manufacturer states they have 100k resistance.  

The ‘science’ seems to indicate that these products facilitate connection with the ‘massive reservoir of free electrons’ in the earth which allows these to flow to our body to ‘balance the charge of electron-deficient free radicals’ that we all apparently build up!  Clearly you can get enough electrons flowing through a 100k resistor with unknown (but likely very small) potential difference across it to be effective……

Small-scale sponsored studies seem to indicate some benefits - draw your own conclusions…..

….and no I don't have any link with anyone making or selling these products - I only came across them as an industry colleague whom I respect technically has started strongly advocating this stuff.

If everyone uses one of these, will not the “massive reservoir” of free electrons become depleted ?

With potential disruption to Ley lines and healing crystals.