content: I've had the ground connection in a cheap multi-tap strip go bad, in parallel with having an old computer with a bad power supply; the power supply defect just so happened to cause everything metal in the computer to be electrified. Needless to say I got bit pretty good. That ground wire is electrically connected to the neutral wire at your fuse or circuit breaker box, and is connected to the actual ground outside. It is an additional path for an electrical hazard to take, it's purpose is to prevent your body from completing the circuit to the ground. There really isn't a good reason or excuse to do that, people have been killed defeating electrical safety devices. If you have a scenario where this MUST be done, at least do it through an isolation transformer. It won't eliminate the potential hazard inside the device, but at least your device won't be electrically connected to the mains so touching an electrified chassis can't complete the circuit to the ground you're standing on through your body.  You'll still be shocked if you come in contact with both live and neutral coming from the isolation transformer, though. Good luck on your electrical re-engineering endeavors.