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What affects grounding resistance?

First, the NEC code requires a minimum ground electrode length of 2.5 meters (8.0 feet) to be in contact with soil. Soil composition, moisture content, and temperature all influence the soil resistivity, so it is recommended that the ground rods be placed as deep as possible into the earth to be most effective.

Measuring Earth Resistance
Measuring Earth Resistance (photo by Fluke)

Nevertheless, four variables affect the ground resistance of a ground system:


1. Length/depth of the ground electrode

Single ground electrode
Single ground electrode

One very effective way of lowering ground resistance is to drive ground electrodes deeper. Soil is not consistent in its resistivity and can be highly unpredictable.

It is critical when installing the ground electrode that it is below the frost line. This is done so that the resistance to ground will not be greatly influenced by the freezing of the surrounding soil. Generally, by doubling the length of the ground electrode you can reduce theĀ resistance level by an additional 40%.

There are occasions where it is physically impossible to drive ground rods deeper-areas that are composed of rock, granite, etc. In theseĀ instances, alternative methods including grounding cement are viable.


2. Diameter of the ground electrode

Reduced diameter of earthing electrode
Reduced diameter of earthing electrode (photo taken from edi-cp.com)

Increasing the diameter of the ground electrode has very little effect in lowering the resistance. For example, you could double the diameter of a ground electrode and your resistance would only decrease by 0%.


3. Number of ground electrodes

Another way to lower ground resistance is to use multiple ground electrodes. In this design, more than one electrode is driven into theĀ ground and connected in parallel to lower the resistance. For additional electrodes to be effective, the spacing of additional rods needsĀ to be at least equal to the depth of the driven rod.

Without proper spacing of the ground electrodes, their spheres of influence will intersect and the resistance will not be lowered.


4. Ground system design

Simple grounding systems consist of a single ground electrode driven into the ground.

The use of a single ground electrode is the most common form of grounding and can be found outside your home or place of business. Complex grounding systems consist of multiple ground rods, connected, mesh or grid networks, ground plates, and ground loops.

These systems are typically installed at power generating substations, central offices, and cell tower sites.

Complex networks dramatically increase the amount of contact with the surrounding earth and lower ground resistances.

Title:Measuring Earth Resistance – E. Hering, Dresden (Germany)
Format:PDF
Size:1.7 MB
Pages:13
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Measuring Earth Resistance
Measuring Earth Resistance

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13 Comments


  1. rogelio_beo
    Jun 02, 2021

    Dear, Sir,

    Sir good morning my comment is regarding the residential power source supply Building.(PSSB) coming from Saudi electric company. WHY THE EARHTING AND NEUTRAL ARE IN ONE LOOP OR PARARELL CONNECTION. IF NOT AFFECTED THE TRANSFORMER IT SELF? AND ALSO THE LOAD SIDE OF THE BUILDING NOT AFFECTED DUE TO POWER FAILURE SOURCE SUPPLY?

    Thank you very much
    Best regards
    foreman.


  2. Dele Daramola
    Nov 19, 2019

    Sir, Your articles are amazing. I really appreciate your effort to bless and develop young Engineers.
    Thanks in millions


  3. arif
    Nov 13, 2018

    differnce between earthing and grounding


  4. Ramesh Kumar
    May 08, 2018

    Dear Sir,

    Plz advice if my reading showing me 0.28. Is this good reading or good resistance. Thank you


    • Charles Lwanga
      Feb 11, 2021

      If you get this value in ohms then it is okay, 3 to 10 ohms at interval of 20 meters distance is just good.


  5. Quadri
    Aug 21, 2017

    Very informative. Thanks alot


  6. Umesh Dutt
    Mar 31, 2017

    For subscription. Electrical engineer, working in defence manufacturing unit and involved in testing of control panel and other electronic equipment.


  7. Wisdom Ayivor
    Sep 09, 2016

    I’m Professional Electrician at Ghana Energy commission. Sir your teaching is so good, l love it. I wish you all the best.


  8. RAVIKUMAR
    Jul 14, 2016

    useful informations,thankyou sir.


  9. mustafaelkarshini
    Oct 28, 2015

    thank you about your efforts .


  10. t anand kumar
    Aug 31, 2015

    I am an electrical engineer. I want to learn about new methods of compensation for power factor improvements


    • Girish R Nair
      Jul 25, 2016

      Capacitors are the best choices as there is no rotating parts.


  11. jinesh
    Jan 12, 2014

    Dear Sir,
    i am fresher electrical engineer and your work is really mind blowing…….ll read all your articals to improve my knowledge.Thanks a lot for providing all this @free base.
    bdw can you have any articals regarding power system buses like Zbus and Ybus and all………? if than plz plz update same……
    thanks a lot

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