Earth electrode resistance
When you find that your earth electrode resistance is not low enough, there are several ways you can improve it:
3 good ways to improve earth electrode resistance (photo credit: cubis-systems.com)1. Effect of Rod Size
As you might suspect, driving a longer rod deeper into the earth, materially decreases its resistance. In general, doubling the rod length reduces resistance by about 40 percent. The curve of Figure 1 shows this effect. For example, note that a rod driven 2 ft down has a resistance of 88 Ω.
The same rod driven 4 ft down has a resistance of about 50 Ω. Using the 40 percent reduction rule, 88 × 0.4 = 35 Ω reduction.
By this calculation, a 4-ft deep rod would have a resistance of 88 – 35 or 53 Ω — comparing closely with the curve values.
You might also think that increasing the electrode diameter would lower the resistance. It does, but only a little. For the same depth, doubling the rod’s diameter reduces the resistance only about 10 percent. Figure 2 shows this relationship.
For this reason, you normally only consider increasing the rod diameter if you have to drive it into hard terrain.
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2. Use of Multiple Rods
Two well-spaced rods driven into the earth provide parallel paths. They are, in effect, two resistances in parallel. The rule for two resistances in parallel does not apply exactly. That is, the resultant resistance is not one-half the individual rod resistances (assuming they are of the same size and depth).
Actually, the reduction for two equal resistance rods is about 40 percent. If three rods are used, the reduction is 60 percent, if four, 66 percent (see Figure 3).
When you use multiple rods, they must be spaced apart further than the length of their immersion. There are theoretical reasons for this, but you need only refer to curves such as Figure 4 above.
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3. Treatment of the Soil
Chemical treatment of soil is a good way to improve earth electrode resistance when you cannot drive deeper ground rods because of hard underlying rock, for example. It is beyond the scope of this manual to recommend the best treatment chemicals for all situations. You have to consider the possible corrosive effect on the electrode as well as EPA and local environmental regulations.
Magnesium sulfate, copper sulfate, and ordinary rock salt are suitable non-corrosive materials. Magnesium sulfate is the least corrosive, but rock salt is cheaper and does the job if applied in a trench dug around the electrode (see Figure 5).
It should be noted that soluble sulfates attack concrete, and should be kept away from building foundations. Another popular approach is to backfill around the electrode with a specialized conductive concrete. A number of these products, like bentonite, are available on the market.
The chemicals are gradually washed away by rainfall and natural drainage through the soil. Depending upon the porosity of the soil and the amount of rainfall, the period for replacement varies. It may be several years before another treatment is required.
Chemical treatment also has the advantage of reducing the seasonable variation on resistance that results from periodical wetting and drying out of the soil. (See curves of Figure 6 below)
However, you should only consider this method when deep or multiple electrodes are not practical.
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Ground rod resistance (VIDEO)
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Reference // A practical guide to earth resistance testing by Megger
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Maxa writes
From:
Koforidua
Ghana
West Africa
Hi we are facing problem during earthing at land fill site near to a multi story building.
We need ground resistance value 1ohm but we are getting near to 5ohm.
We try it at multiple location but not getting success till.
Please guide us
Good day , guys I just need more enlightenment on the grounding rod system and how to know best way to protect my appliances using Earthing system thanks I await answers.
we have a igneous rocks at site and showing 700ohm resistivity, we need 1ohm resistance please advise we reduced it up to 1
Kindly send me the PDF of the earthing systems… Thank you
West Africa, Ghana
Can Agricultural Magnesium sulfate be used? As I don’t see any additional compounds added to it to make it any different than chemical grade.
Can you pl send me a PDF copy of this and related articles
energy consumption of DG set with disel cost/ how to calculate
I just reading here from long time its good one can u share pdf files also for downloading
when we install a transformer,what are the earth resistance values of transformer body and transformer neutral?what is the regulation(IEC,IEEE,..) for this?
thank you all i am so please if you could the complete information pdf
for reducing earth resistance
thanks
Yes my friend say that electrolyte chemical is good for soul repair .its tructh but electrolyte shoude more good ionic charge and not leachable
We are make many type of electrolyte and earth chemical after so many reseach and practicals
Goldy verma 919818543288
Can you pl send me a PDF copy of this and related articles.
Hi,
Nice photo – that was from a trial site for COnductive concrete – with no requirement for an earth rod.
The product has an estimated life span of 25 years and in soil conditions of 250 we can get reading of 1 Ohm. Check out our web site Cubis-systems.com
Stephen
Hi, I first notice the photo – which is me! We are testing a conductive concrete product which we use to provide an earthing solution
Excellent Grounding Qualities
SAN-EARTH installed in dry powder form, is both convenient and effective. It makes ideal contact with the ground possible over large effective areas and has qualities far superior to more traditional grounding techniques.
Electrolytic Corrosion Resistance
SAN-EARTH significantly extends the life of grounding systems. In normal conditions, an electrolytic reaction occurs when any metal buried in the ground is exposed to a positive electric current, resulting in serious corrosion of the metal.
Covering the metal with SAN-EARTH creates conduction between the metal and SAN-EARTH reducing the electrolytic reaction and preventing the metal from corroding.
Cost Efficient Grounding & Easy to Install
No water is required when grounding with SAN-EARTH. Once installed, it absorbs moisture from the surrounding soil and hardens. Common obstacles such as rocks or stumps will not interfere with grounding and need not be removed.
Because SAN-EARTH is granular and not liquid in nature, trouble free installation is possible even when the site is sloped.
Environmentally Safe
SAN-EARTH provides completely pollution free grounding because it is composed of very safe inert chemical matter. It will neither melt into the soil nor change into an electrolyte.
Reduces opportunity for theft
Traditional grounding systems are prone to theft due to the scrap value of copper. By using SAN-EARTH, the grounding system is safe from threat of theft or sabotage.
Surge Impedance
Surge Impedance is reduced by more than 50%
The surge impedance of the SAN-EARTH electrode was particularly low during the first critical 0-0.1 µsec of the surge
Fast response provides enhanced protection for sensitive equipment.
Significant advantage over other grounding methods
Check out the web site http://www.cubis-systems.com
What are the effects on resistance in plate earthing? How resistance varies with surface area of the plate?
Thanks for this post, very useful. Please can I connect main earthing of a 500KVA transformer to the neutral terminal. The main earth electrode resistance is 0.5ohms.
Thank you
Well Done, very interesting and practical article!
strange in the UK you can purchase an earth inspection and test box and the supplier also supplies a conductive mineral fill for high resistance soils but this needs the rod to be buried in a pit like a fence post hole to the same depth as the rod. One other thing missing is using higher gauge wire like 10 mm .square
How about earth plate? Can you explain me? How about mountain side how to do earthing and can made earth lake or not?