In article .com, "Mark" wrote:
how about connecting a wire from the ground lug of the receptacle to a
nearby cold water pipe?

No. Not safe, not legal.

it appears this would provide an effective saftey ground

Appearances can be deceiving. You have *no* assurance that the water pipe
makes an effective ground. None whatever.

Furthermore, a ground fault in a device plugged into that receptacle would
then electrifiy the metal water pipes. I hope it's clear to you that that is a
very dangerous situation.

would it be legal?

Absolutely not.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?