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Home / Technical Articles / The easiest way to measure ground resistance using clamp meter, but be carefull!

Why clamp meter / tester for grounding?

The ground clamp meter / tester is an effective and time-saving tool when used correctly because the user does not have to disconnect the ground system to make a measurement or place probes in the ground.

The easiest way to measure ground resistance using clamp meter
The easiest way to measure ground resistance using clamp meter (photo credit: Linemanchannel.com via Youtube)

The method is based on Ohm’s Law, where:

R (resistance) = V (voltage) / I (current)

The clamp includes a transmit coil, which applies the voltage and a receive coil, which measures the current. The instrument applies a known voltage to a complete circuit, measures the resulting current flow and calculates the resistance (see figure 1).

Clamp method for measuring ground resistance
Figure 1 – Clamp method for measuring ground resistance

The clamp method requires a complete electrical circuit to measure. The operator has no probes and therefore cannot set up the desired test circuit. The operator must be certain that earth is included in the return loop. The clamp tester measures the complete resistance of the path (loop) that the signal is taking. All elements of the loop are measured in series.

The method assumes that only the resistance of the ground electrode under test contributes significantly. Based on the math behind the method (to be reviewed below), the more returns, the smaller the contribution of extraneous elements to the reading and, therefore, the greater the accuracy.

The major advantage of the clamp method is that it is quick and easy. The ground electrode does not have to be disconnected from the system to take the measurement and no probes need to be driven and no cables connected.

In addition, it includes the bonding and overall connection resistance. Good grounding must be complemented by “bonding”, having a continuous low-impedance path to ground. Fall of potential measures only the ground electrode, not the bonding (leads must be shifted to make a bonding test).

Because the clamp uses the grounding conductor as part of the return, an “open” or high resistance bond will show up in the reading.

Checking the ground resistance using clamp meter
Checking the ground resistance using clamp meter (on photo: Fluke earth / ground clamp meter; credit: Amazon)

The clamp ground tester also allows the operator to measure the leakage current flowing through the system. If an electrode has to be disconnected, the instrument will show whether current is flowing to indicate whether it is safe to proceed.

Unfortunately, the clamp ground tester is often misused in applications where it will not give an effective reading. The clamp method is effective only in situations where there are multiple grounds in parallel. It cannot be used on isolated grounds as there is no return path.

Therefore, it cannot be used for installation checks or commissioning new sites. It also cannot be used if an alternate lower resistance return exists not involving the soil (such as with cell towers).

Unlike with fall of potential testing, there is no way of proofing the result, meaning the results must be taken on “faith.” The clamp ground tester does fill a role as one tool that the technician could have in his “bag”, but not the only tool.


Clamp ground testing theory and methodology

Understanding how and why the clamp method works helps in understanding where it will and will not operate, and how to optimize its use. As mentioned, the clamp test method is based on Ohm’s Law (R = V/I).

Understanding Ohm’s law and how it applies to series and parallel circuits is the first step to understanding how and why a clamp ground tester works.

The following graphics will show and explain the following:

  • Series circuit,
  • Parallel circuit,
  • Parallel-series circuit and
  • The math used to determine the total current and resistance

Series Circuit

Determining the total current and resistance with series circuit
Figure 2 – Determining the total current and resistance with series circuit

In a series circuit (figure 2), total current and total resistance are calculated as follows:

It = I1 = I2 = I3
Rt = R1 + R2 + R3


Parallel Circuit

Determining the total current and resistance with parallel circuit
Figure 3 – Determining the total current and resistance with parallel circuit

In a parallel circuit (figure 3), total current and total resistance are calculated as follows:

It = I1 + I2 + I3
Rt = 1/ (1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3)


Parallel-Series Circuit

Determining the total current and resistance with parallel-series circuit
Figure 4 – Determining the total current and resistance with parallel-series circuit

In a parallel-series circuit (figure 4), total current and total resistance are calculated as follows:

It = I1 + I2 = I3 = I4 + I5
Rt = 1/ (1/R1 + 1/R2) + 1/ (1/R3 + 1/R4)


Clamp Test Methodology

The head of a clamp ground tester includes two cores (see figure 5). One core induces a test current and the other measures how much was induced. The input or primary voltage of the test current inducing core is kept constant, so the current actually induced into the test circuit is directly proportional to the loop resistance.

Clamp Test Methodology
Figure 5 – Clamp Test Methodology

The important thing to remember with clamp testing is that clamp ground testers effectively make loop resistance measurements. Clamp measurements are loop measurements. For the clamp method to work there must be a series- parallel resistance path (and the lower the better).

The more electrodes or ground paths in the system the nearer the measurement gets to the actual electrode under test’s true resistance.

The following figure shows a pole ground configuration, one of the most effective applications of the clamp ground tester.

Pole ground configuration
Figure 6 – Pole ground configuration

The circuit diagram for this configuration follows (based on a clamp ground tester being clamped around pole 6):

Circuit diagram for above configuration based on a clamp ground tester being clamped around pole 6
Figure 7 – Circuit diagram for above configuration based on a clamp ground tester being clamped around pole 6

The clamp ground tester is clamped around one of the electrodes and then measures the resistance of the entire loop. The remaining ground electrodes are all in parallel, and, as a group, are in series with the ground electrode being measured. If the clamp tester is clamped around pole #6, the measurement of the resistance of the entire loop would be calculated using the following equation:

Rloop = R6 + (1/ (1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + 1/R4 + 1/R5))

For six similar ground electrodes with a resistance of 10 Ω each, the measurement of the total loop resistance would be:

Rloop = 10 + (1/ (1/10 + 1/10 + 1/10 + 1/10 + 1/10))
Rloop = 10 + (1/ (5/10))
Rloop = 10 + 2

Rloop = 12 Ω


The measurement of the loop resistance is relatively close to the resistance of the ground electrode being tested. If there were 60 similar ground electrodes with a resistance of 10 Ω each, the measurement of the total loop resistance would be:

Rloop = 10 Ω + 0.17 Ω = 10.17 Ω

The more ground electrodes in parallel, the smaller the impact of the resistance of the electrodes not being tested and the closer the loop resistance is to the resistance of the electrode being tested. If the electrode being measured has a high resistance, the test will indicate that there is a problem.

Using the six electrode example, if electrode number 6 had a resistance of 100 Ω and all the other electrodes had resistances of 10 Ω, the measurement of the loop resistance would be:

Rloop = 100 + (1/ (1/10 + 1/10 + 1/10 + 1/10 + 1/10))
Rloop = 100 + (1/ (5/10))
Rloop = 100 + 2

Rloop = 102 Ω


In the following example, the clamp ground tester would indicate the bad ground. If the 100 Ω electrode was one of the electrodes not being measured, the impact on the overall measurement would be minimal:

Rloop = 10 + (1/ (1/10 + 1/100 + 1/10 + 1/10 + 1/10))
Rloop = 10 + (1/ (41/100))
Rloop = 10 + 2.44

Rloop = 12.44 Ω

NOTE // Please note that the measured resistance will always be higher than the actual resistance of the ground electrode being tested. Any error present is on the side of safety, as resistance guidelines are for maximum ground resistance.

This means that if the measured resistance is below target level for the ground electrode, the operator can be assured that actual resistance will also be below the target.


To conclude //

In summary, remember that a clamp ground tester measurement is a measurement of the resistance of the entire loop. There must be a loop resistance to measure. If there isn’t a loop to measure the operator can create one with a temporary jumper lead. The greater the number of parallel paths, the closer the measured value will be to the actual earth resistance of the electrode under test.

The clamp ground tester can easily indicate a poor electrode whether there are a few parallel paths in series with the measured value, or many parallel paths present.

Remember that the earth path must be in the circuit to measure ground resistance. This caveat sounds obvious, but if you have metal structures involved there may be a connection through that, rather than the earth mass.


Examples of measuring ground rod resistance using clamp meter


Reference // Guide to Clamp Ground Testing by MEGGER

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

17 Comments


  1. Omar Marcial
    Jan 22, 2023

    Hi, does somebody knows if an IEEE article allows the use of “clamp on resistance tester, instead of “4-Terminal Ground Resistance and Soil Resistivity Tester”?
    I have to test the electrodes in a building and I can’t use the last one. But I need an IEEE article for support.


  2. Okonkwo Linda Obiageri
    Mar 16, 2022

    In testing for earth resistance, is it appropriate to clamp two earth rod at the same time or appropriate to clamp two earth cable on an earth bar at the same time while testing?


    • Ali
      Nov 17, 2022

      I think that’s not right because the reading comes from an external loop including the devices and maybe other electrodes connected to boost grounding. this value is fake.


  3. Fauzi
    Dec 26, 2021

    how to measure the individual earth electrode resistance in the loop using clamp on


  4. Paata Tkesheladze
    Sep 04, 2021

    “The input or primary voltage of the test current inducing core is kept constant, so the current actually induced into the test circuit is directly proportional to the loop resistance.” This means that the higher the loop resistance is, the higher is current. This is not true. I think that “inversly proportional” should has been used instead of “directly proportional”.


  5. Александр
    Feb 05, 2021

    Эдвард, Вашим методом можно измерять кажущееся удельное сопротивление грунта? Ваша статья, очень хорошая пропедевтика в измерения.


  6. vijay kumar
    May 10, 2019

    sir clamp on earth tester make earth electrode resistance reading in open or closed loop.?
    also how can we measure the unknown earth resistance by clamp on earth tester.


  7. Ted Orrell
    Mar 16, 2019

    For clamp-on resistance tester such as LEM, what is the effect on the correctness of readings when current flow exists in the ground system during the test?


  8. AKILA JOSHUA
    Dec 06, 2018

    Please how do I measure the Resistance of the earthing of a petroleum storage tank easily?
    It’s urgent please.


  9. Shamsul Ismail
    Feb 08, 2018

    Edvard, can we use this clamp meter to measure CT circuit (loop) resistance ?


  10. NUELLSCOT KESMAN
    Jan 23, 2018

    The article is a nice one so Educating.A well done work,i really enjoyed
    reading and also learning.Please what is the name of the equipment
    use for soil testing?


  11. Carlos Restrepo
    Mar 10, 2017

    Buenos días

    Po favor no traduzcan estos artículos, que lo están haciendo por un traductor automático y quedan muy mal traducidos.

    Gracias

    Carlos Restrepo


  12. Neil E. Matthes
    Feb 20, 2017

    This was a good article. However, the video with Travis Christensen, was misleading. When he measured the resistance of the ground rods, he measured above the electrical connection. The ground rod tester will not work like this. I noticed that the camera did not show the reading on the meter when it was placed like this. There has to be a complete circuit for this tester to work. Check the article. The tester will not induce any current, or measure any current because the circuit is open. The top of the ground rod does not go anywhere.


    • Lez Rahman
      Mar 23, 2018

      The video shows a solo rods being tested, how is the clamp meter obtaining a restance reading on an open circuit? I thought this was not possible.


    • mahdi bagheri
      Jun 28, 2020

      That was exactly what I was looking for, the video is confusing. You are exactly right.


    • Iuly
      Dec 18, 2022

      Exactly my thought also. How in the world is he doing a measurement if he measures in a open circuit? And he looked profesional and saying to take care of your life and everything. I looked at their youtube chanell and he appears to be a training specialist at a lineman school. WTF


  13. karthi.M
    Feb 06, 2017

    what is acceptable resistance in substation & field plant area like (pipe rack & processing area .. ) in oil & gas plant?

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