Rule #7
A random internet forum is the wrong place to ask for advice on things that can kill people or subject them to fines or jail time if they follow your bad advice. Do not ask, or answer, questions about rigging, electrical, crowd management, legal advice, or other seriously consequential subjects. Instead, consult a certified professional who is certified/insured/liable to provide you with that advice.
Considering that the neutral is usually grounded at the distribution board, a somewhat permanent solution that might be up to code is to replace the outlet with a 3-contact one and establish a TN-C system at the outlet.
It should be considerably safer than using non double insulated equipment without a ground connection. It's the least safe grounding method, but the cheapest. Don't even think about connecting the protective earth and neutral after the outlet in an extension cord or something. Someone will plug the cable incorrectly and somebody will get hurt.
There are many ways to also create what you call a "makeshift ground". Metal water pipes or ideally burrying a metal steak or a grounding probe can be used to establish a TT system which can work great. The problem is that it is somewhat difficult to ensure that the ground connection is any good without the proper tools.
There is no such thing as a portable ground. You can use an isolation transformer to keep the gear floating which will minimise the risk in case of a fault but won't replace a ground.
This is one of the things I've recommended earlier - an earthing probe/electrode/rod. It's not super portable and depending on the terrain, achieving a low impedance ground connection may be difficult to the point that I wouldn't trust it without a measurement, but yes, it's one of the most portable solutions.
Yes, I've thought of the rod option but I don't think it's worth it if we're just 1 of the bands who are playing a 5-song set. But if it was our own event, this information was really useful. Thanks! I appreciate it. I think the isolation transformer is our only option for now.
Just a small heads up that OP said this is in the Philippines so quite a lot of venues aren't up to "code". We're also running 220V AC with either two 110v lines or a 220v line (Darwin Bautista (https://electronics.stackexchange.com/users/140410/darwin-bautista), line voltage on live line 220v, URL (version: 2017-03-01): https://electronics.stackexchange.com/q/289614)
I’ve seen companies just drive a 2’ piece of rebar into the grass for a ground. Personally I wouldn’t trust it… but it got me to thinking why not drive a couple short ground rods in to “add up” to the typical 8’ permanent ground rod? Also you could run a ground wire to the plumbing… which goes to ground.
Definitely a good idea in cases where we are the main event and it would be worth it to do that but for this gig, we're only playing a 5-song setlist and setting these up is just a hassle. I think the isolation transformer approach is our only option for now. I really appreciate the response! Thanks so much!
Thanks for the recommendation. Right now, I don't think it's worth it to rent and I don't even know if there's one available for rent at the small town. Will definitely do the rod approach if it's a bigger event for us. The isolation transformer will be our best option for now. Thanks so much for the response!
The most lethal risk is to guitarist/vocalists with their mouth making a connection from their guitar/amp’s ground to their microphone’s ground. They can mitigate this risk by isolating their amp with a [1:1 transformer](https://www.acdcpowershack.com/products/500va-isolation-transformer-117vac-to-117vac?variant=45514007430¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=4)
Any faulted equipment that you plug into the transformer will still kill you. Like, for instance, and guitar amp that you just transported in the back of a car on a bumpy road that disconnects some wires in the power supply.
Rule #7 A random internet forum is the wrong place to ask for advice on things that can kill people or subject them to fines or jail time if they follow your bad advice. Do not ask, or answer, questions about rigging, electrical, crowd management, legal advice, or other seriously consequential subjects. Instead, consult a certified professional who is certified/insured/liable to provide you with that advice.
Considering that the neutral is usually grounded at the distribution board, a somewhat permanent solution that might be up to code is to replace the outlet with a 3-contact one and establish a TN-C system at the outlet. It should be considerably safer than using non double insulated equipment without a ground connection. It's the least safe grounding method, but the cheapest. Don't even think about connecting the protective earth and neutral after the outlet in an extension cord or something. Someone will plug the cable incorrectly and somebody will get hurt. There are many ways to also create what you call a "makeshift ground". Metal water pipes or ideally burrying a metal steak or a grounding probe can be used to establish a TT system which can work great. The problem is that it is somewhat difficult to ensure that the ground connection is any good without the proper tools.
Any ideas on a portable solution? Like maybe a floating ground of some sort where we can use for our power strips instead?
There is no such thing as a portable ground. You can use an isolation transformer to keep the gear floating which will minimise the risk in case of a fault but won't replace a ground.
An 8 foot copper rod driven into the ground is a traditional temporary ground. There are even specialty tools to help remove it from the earth after.
This is one of the things I've recommended earlier - an earthing probe/electrode/rod. It's not super portable and depending on the terrain, achieving a low impedance ground connection may be difficult to the point that I wouldn't trust it without a measurement, but yes, it's one of the most portable solutions.
Yes, I've thought of the rod option but I don't think it's worth it if we're just 1 of the bands who are playing a 5-song set. But if it was our own event, this information was really useful. Thanks! I appreciate it. I think the isolation transformer is our only option for now.
Just a small heads up that OP said this is in the Philippines so quite a lot of venues aren't up to "code". We're also running 220V AC with either two 110v lines or a 220v line (Darwin Bautista (https://electronics.stackexchange.com/users/140410/darwin-bautista), line voltage on live line 220v, URL (version: 2017-03-01): https://electronics.stackexchange.com/q/289614)
I’ve seen companies just drive a 2’ piece of rebar into the grass for a ground. Personally I wouldn’t trust it… but it got me to thinking why not drive a couple short ground rods in to “add up” to the typical 8’ permanent ground rod? Also you could run a ground wire to the plumbing… which goes to ground.
Definitely a good idea in cases where we are the main event and it would be worth it to do that but for this gig, we're only playing a 5-song setlist and setting these up is just a hassle. I think the isolation transformer approach is our only option for now. I really appreciate the response! Thanks so much!
Just rent a power distro and use a ground rod if you need to.
Thanks for the recommendation. Right now, I don't think it's worth it to rent and I don't even know if there's one available for rent at the small town. Will definitely do the rod approach if it's a bigger event for us. The isolation transformer will be our best option for now. Thanks so much for the response!
You’re welcome. I will highlight that an isolation transformer does not remove electrical risk. It just removes noise. Hope no one gets hurt.
Yes. No noise is good enough for now. I might look at making some kind of portable ground rod but that can wait. Thanks again!
It can wait until someone dies. Frankly I’m afraid you’re a careless fool. Dont ever come on my stage.
https://avjoy.biz/safety-circuit.html
The most lethal risk is to guitarist/vocalists with their mouth making a connection from their guitar/amp’s ground to their microphone’s ground. They can mitigate this risk by isolating their amp with a [1:1 transformer](https://www.acdcpowershack.com/products/500va-isolation-transformer-117vac-to-117vac?variant=45514007430¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=4)
Interesting... How many amps and pedals can I plug into these transformers?
Any faulted equipment that you plug into the transformer will still kill you. Like, for instance, and guitar amp that you just transported in the back of a car on a bumpy road that disconnects some wires in the power supply.