Understanding Ground Resistance Testing
Understanding Ground Resistance Testing
G R O U N D R E S I S TA N C E T E S T I N G
Current
supply
E
Ammeter (I)
I
Voltimeter (E)
Auxiliary Auxiliary
X potential Y current Z
electrode electrode
Rx R1 R2 Rn-1 Rn
Resistance in %
100
75
Ground rod 50
and clamp 25
0
1/2 5/8 3/4 1 1 1/4 1 1/2 1 3/4
Rod diameter (inches)
Contact
resistance
between rod
and soil
• Soil Resistivity
Concentric
shells of
earth • Ground Resistance
• 3-Point Measurements
• 4-Point Measurements
• Clamp-on Measurements
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Ground Electrodes........................................................................................... 6
Telecommunications ..................................................................................... 28
Summary Quiz............................................................................................... 32
References ....................................................................................................... 34
FIGURE 1
Temperature Resistivity
C F Ohm-cm
20 68 7,200
10 50 9,900
0 32 (water) 13,800
0 32 (ice) 30,000
-5 23 79,000
-15 14 330,000
FIGURE 3
80
60
40 Curve 1
20
Curve 2
0
Jan.
Mar.
May
July
Sept.
Nov.
Jan.
Mar.
May
July
FIGURE 4
Seasonal variation of earth resistance with an electrode of
3/4-inch pipe in rather stony clay soil. Depth of electrode in earth is
3 ft. for Curve 1, and 10 ft. for Curve 2
ρ = 2π AR (with A in cm)
ρ = 191.5 AR (with A in feet)
ρ = Soil resistivity (ohm-cm)
This value is the average resistivity of the ground at a depth equivalent to the
distance “A” between two electrodes.
Example
After inspection, the area investigated has been narrowed down to a plot of
ground approximately 75 square feet (7 m2). Assume that you need to
determine the resistivity at a depth of 15 feet (450 cm). The distance “A”
between the electrodes must then be equivalent to the depth at which
average resistivity is to be determined (15 ft, or 450 cm). Using the more
simplified Wenner formula (ρ = 2π AR), the electrode depth must then be
1/20th of the electrode spacing or 8-7/8” (22.5 cm).
X
Xv
Y
2 10 50 20 200 2
2 20
A A A
X Xv Y Z A A A
R
A
FIGURE 8
GROUND ELECTRODES
The term “ground” is defined as a conducting connection by which a circuit
or equipment is connected to the earth. The connection is used to establish
and maintain as closely as possible the potential of the earth on the circuit or
equipment connected to it. A “ground” consists of a grounding conductor, a
bonding connector, its grounding electrode(s), and the soil in contact with
the electrode.
Figure 9 illustrates a grounding rod. The resistance of the electrode has the
following components:
(A) the resistance of the metal and that of the connection to it.
(B) the contact resistance of the surrounding earth to the electrode.
(C) the resistance in the surrounding earth to current flow or earth
resistivity which is often the most significant factor.
More specifically:
(A) Grounding electrodes are usually made of a very conductive metal
(copper or copper clad) with adequate cross sections so that the overall
resistance is negligible.
In theory, the ground resistance may be derived from the general formula:
ρL Length
R= ––– Resistance = Resistivity x –––––––
A Area
In the case of ground resistance, uniform earth (or soil) resistivity through-
out the volume is assumed, although this is seldom the case in nature. The
equations for systems of electrodes are very complex and often expressed
only as approximations. The most commonly used formula for single ground
electrode systems, developed by Professor H. R. Dwight of the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, is the following:
ρ 4L
R=
2πL
1n
r(– 1 )
R = resistance in ohms of the ground rod to the earth (or soil)
L = grounding electrode length
r = grounding electrode radius
ρ = average resistivity in ohms-cm.
Resistance in %
100
75
50
25
0
1/2 5/8 3/4 1 1 1/4 1 1/2 1 3/4
Rod diameter (inches)
FIGURE 10
Depth: As a ground rod is driven deeper into the earth, its resistance is
substantially reduced. In general, doubling the rod length reduces the resis-
tance by an additional 40% (Figure 11). The NEC (1987, 250-83-3) requires a
minimum of 8 ft (2.4 m) to be in contact with the soil. The most common is a
10 ft (3 m) cylindrical rod which meets the NEC code. A minimum diameter
of 5/8 inch (1.59 cm) is required for steel rods and 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) for
copper or copper clad steel rods (NEC 1987, 250-83-2). Minimum practical
diameters for driving limitations for 10 ft (3 m) rods are:
• 3/4 inch (1.91 cm) in hard soil or more than 10 ft driving depths
200
100
80
60
Resistance in ohms
40
30
20
1
5 15 25 35 40 50 60 70
20 10000 15 1.5
15
5000 10 1
10 4000
9 3000 3/4
8 2000
5/8
7 5
6 1000 1/2
4
5 500
3
4 2 1/4
2 1
1
FIGURE 12
Grounding Nomograph
1. Select required resistance on R scale.
2. Select apparent resistivity on P scale.
3. Lay straightedge on R and P scale, and allow to intersect with K scale.
4. Mark K scale point.
5. Lay straightedge on K scale point & DIA scale, and allow to intersect with D scale.
6. Point on D scale will be rod depth required for resistance on R scale.
G R O U N D R E S I S TA N C E
VA L U E S
NEC® 250-84 (1987): Resistance of man-made electrodes:
“A single electrode consisting of a rod, pipe, or plate which does not have a
resistance to ground of 25Ω or less shall be augmented by one additional rod
of any of the types specified in section 250-81 or 250-83. Where multiple rod,
pipe or plate electrodes are installed to meet the requirements of this section,
they shall be not less than 6 ft (1.83 m) apart.”
The National Electrical Code® (NEC) states that the resistance to ground
shall not exceed 25Ω. This is an upper limit and guideline, since much lower
resistance is required in many instances.
These parameters can usually be met with the proper application of basic
grounding theory. There will always exist circumstances which will make
it difficult to obtain the ground resistance required by the NEC® or other
safety standards. When these situations develop, several methods of lowering
the ground resistance can be employed. These include parallel rod
systems, deep driven rod systems utilizing sectional rods, and chemical
treatment of the soil. Additional methods discussed in other published
data are buried plates, buried conductors (counterpoise), electrically
connected building steel, and electrically connected concrete reinforced steel.
Note: The National Electrical Code® and NEC® are registered trademarks
of the National Fire Protection Association.
R = E = 20 = 20
––– –––
I 1
It is not necessary to carry out all the measurements when using a ground
tester. The ground tester will measure directly by generating its own current
and displaying the resistance of the ground electrode.
Current
supply
Ammeter (I)
Voltimeter (E)
EARTH
FIGURE 13
X Y' Y Y'' Z
Effective resistance
areas (overlapping)
Resistance
FIGURE 14
X Y' Y Y'' Z
Effective resistance
areas (no overlap)
Resistance
FIGURE 15
This method applies only when all three electrodes are in a straight line and
the ground is a single electrode, pipe, or plate, etc., as in Figure 16.
Ground X
C1
Xv
P1
Y
P2
Z
C2
strip
DIGITAL GROUND RESISTANCE TESTER
MODEL 4610
X-Z Fault
Ω
Xv-Y Hi Resistance
Xv-Y Hi Noise
AUTORANGING
! REFER TO USER MANUAL
FOR FAULT WARNING LIGHT
Press To EXPLANATIONS
Measure
AEMC
I NSTRUMENTS
Y Electrode Z Electrode
Alligator clips
Ground rod
FIGURE 16
Consider Figure 17, which shows the effective resistance areas (concentric
shells) of the ground electrode X and of the auxiliary current electrode Z.
The resistance areas overlap. If readings were taken by moving the auxiliary
potential electrode Y towards either X or Z, the reading differentials would
be great and one could Ground Auxiliary Auxiliary
not obtain a reading electrode potential current
under test electrode electrode
within a reasonable
band of tolerance. The X Y Z
sensitive areas overlap
and act constantly to
increase resistance as Y
is moved away from X.
Overlapping effective
resistance areas
Resistance
X Y Z
D
62% of D 38% of D Effective
resistance
areas do
Resistance
A second rod does not provide a total resistance of half that of a single rod
unless the two are several rod lengths apart. To achieve the grounding
resistance place multiple rods one rod length apart in a line, circle, hollow
triangle, or square. The equivelent resistance can be calculated by dividing
by the number of rods and mutlipling by the factor X (shown below).
Additional considerations regarding step and touch potentials should be
addressed by the geometry.
Placing additional rods within the periphery of a shape will not reduce the
grounding resistance below that of the peripheral rods alone.
In congested areas where finding room to drive the two auxiliary rods may
be a problem, the two-point measurement method may be applied. The
reading obtained will be that of the two grounds in series. Therefore, the
water pipe or other ground must be very low in resistance so that it will be
negligible in the final measurement. The lead resistances will also be
measured and should be deducted from the final measurement.
Grounding conductor
Utility pole X Y Z
C1 P2 C2
Ground level
GROUND RESISTANCE TESTER
25
MODEL 3620
X-Z Fault
Ω
0.5
1k
X-Y Hi Resistance
X-Y Hi Noise
!
Press To
REFER TO USER MANUAL
Measure FOR FAULT WARNING LIGHT
EXPLANATIONS
FIGURE 20
CONTINUITY MEASUREMENT
Continuity measurements of a ground conductor are possible by using two
terminals (Figure 21).
X
Xv
Y
2 10 50 20 200 2
2 20
FIGURE 21
VOLTMETER
AEMC CORPORATION
X
Xv
Y
2 10 50 20 200 2
2 20
Ground
strip
Y Electrode Z Electrode
Ground rod
FIGURE 22
A) Braid the auxiliary cables together. This often has the effect of canceling
out the common mode voltages between these two conductors (Figure 23).
X
Xv
Y
2 10 50 20 200 2
2 20
Ground
strip
Y Electrode Electrode Z
Ground rod
FIGURE 23
C) If a satisfactory low voltage value is still not obtained, the use of shielded
cables may be required. The shield acts to protect the inner conductor by
capturing the voltage and draining it to ground (Figure 25).
2. Connect all three shields together at (but not to) the instrument.
Disconnect ground
under test
X
Xv
Y
2 10 50 20 200 2
2 20
FIGURE 24
Ground
shield
X
Xv
Y
2 10 50 20 200 2
2 20
Ground rod
FIGURE 25
To ensure good contact with the earth, stamp down the soil directly around
the auxiliary electrode to remove air gaps formed when inserting the rod. If
soil resistivity is the problem, pour water around the auxiliary electrodes.
This reduces the auxiliary electrode’s contact resistance without affecting the
measurement.
W
at
e
r
Air gaps
EARTH
FIGURE 26
Place the screens on the floor the same distance from the ground rod under
test as you would auxiliary electrodes in a standard fall-of-potential test.
Pour water on the screens and allow it to soak in. These screens will now
perform the same function as would driven auxiliary electrodes.
X Y Z
C1 P2 C2
Ω
Xv-Y Hi Resistance
Xv-Y Hi Noise
Ground Press To
! REFER TO USER MANUAL
FOR FAULT WARNING LIGHT
EXPLANATIONS
AUTORANGING
rod Measure
INSTRUMENTS
Water
FIGURE 27
Screens
C1
P1 Anticipated
1 meter P2
2 10 50
2
20 200 2
20
fault point
C2
Buried
cable
Driven ground rods
FIGURE 28
Principle of Operation
Usually, a common distribution line grounded system can be simulated as a
simple basic circuit as shown in Figure 29 or an equivalent circuit, shown in
Figure 30. If voltage E is applied to any measured grounding point Rx
through a special transformer, current I flows through the circuit, thereby
establishing the following equation.
1
E/I = Rx + –––––––––– where, usually
n 1 1
––––
∑ Rk Rx >> –––––––––––
n 1
k=1 ––––
∑ Rk
k=1
Therefore, E/I = Rx is established. If I is detected with E kept constant,
measured grounding point resistance can be obtained. Refer again to Figures
29 and 30. Current is fed to a
special transformer via a power
amplifier from a 2.4 kHz constant
voltage oscillator. This current is E
detected by a detection CT. Only I
the 2.4 kHz signal frequency is
amplified by a filter amplifier.
This occurs before the A/D
conversion and after synchronous
rectification. It is then displayed Rx R1 R2 Rn-1 Rn
on the LCD. FIGURE 29
Select the current range “A.” Clamp onto the ground conductor and measure
the ground current. The maximum current range is 30A. If the ground
current exceeds 5A, ground resistance measurements are not possible. Do not
proceed further with the measurement. Instead, remove the clamp-on tester from
the circuit, noting the location for maintenance, and continue to the next test
location.
After noting the ground current, select the ground resistance range “Ω” and
measure the resistance directly. The reading you measure with the 3711/3731
indicates the resistance not just of the rod, but also of the connection to the
system neutral and all bonding connections between the neutral and the rod.
Note that in Figure 31 there is both a butt plate and a ground rod. In this type
of circuit, the instrument must be placed above the bond so that both
grounds are included in the test. For future reference note the date, ohms
reading, current reading and point number. Replace any molding you may
have removed from the conductor. Note: A high reading indicates one or
more of the following:
Grounding
conductor
Ground
Ground level rod
FIGURE 31
Building wall
Pole-mounted
transformer
Service box
Service meter
Ground level
FIGURE 32
Ground
rods
Building wall
Pole-mounted
transformer
Service box
Service meter
In many cases, the best reading can be obtained by clamping the 3711/3731
onto the ground rod itself, below the point when the ground conductors are
attached to the rod, so that you are measuring the ground circuit. Care must
be taken to find a conductor with only one return path to the neutral.
Enclosure
Buss
Service
Concentric
Underground service neutral
Ground rod(s)
FIGURE 34
Enclosure
Underground service
Ground
rods
FIGURE 35
Support
Concrete
pad
Ground rod
FIGURE 36
Here are some of the solutions and clamp-on procedures that have
applications to the telephone industry.
AC panel board
Power meter
120/240V
power service
Ground rod
Ground wire
Telephone cable
Bonding integrity or conduit
Ground resistance
FIGURE 37
FIGURE 38
Pedestal grounds
All cable sheaths are bonded to a ground bar inside each pedestal. This
ground bar is connected to earth by means of a driven ground rod. The
ground rod resistance can be found by using the instrument clamped around
the ground rod or the No. 6 cable connecting these two points. See Figure 39.
Phone
pedestal
Ground bar
Sheath connection
Ground level
Ground
rod Note: temporary jumper required
only if pedestal does not allow
tester to fit.
FIGURE 39
NOTE:
A bond MUST be made at any
above-ground closure within
10 feet of any above-ground
Tel. power apparatus.
enclosure No. 6
Grd. wire Power cables
Tel. cable
and wire
Electric company shall
make bond connection to
power cable and/or No. 6
power apparatus Grd.wire
Buried tel.
enclosure
Buried telephone
enclosure
(top view)
The typical customer connection is achieved with the tip and ring drop cable
pair. In order to protect against an overvoltage situation on the telephone
wires, a protector block
is installed inside the
NID. This protector has
two internal devices that
conduct only when
unwanted overvoltages
are present. In order for
Bond protector the protector to function
to onsite ground
properly, it must have a
low resistance path for
any fault to conduct to
Temporary Jumper
for test only
earth. This bonding and
ground resistance poten-
FIGURE 41
tial can be verified by
using the clamp-on ground resistance tester. Simply take a short piece of wire
and temporarily jumper the tip side (CO ground) to the ground connector on
the protector block. By clamping around this jumper wire, you will now test
the ground resistance potential including all terminations at this location.
The return signal path required for the clamp-on ground tester to make this
measurement will be the CO ground.
FIGURE 42
2. What factors determine soil resistivity? 7. As a general rule, doubling the depth of the
rod length reduces the resistance by:
a. Soil type
b. Amount of moisture in soil a. 100%
c. Amount of electrolytes in soil b. 40%
d. Temperature c. Less than 10%
e. All of the above
5. As the temperature of the soil decreases, what 10. Fall-of-potential ground resistance measure-
happens to the soil resistance? ments are recommended when:
a. Decreases a. The ground under test can be
b. Increases conveniently disconnected
c. No change b. Ground faults are likely to occur near
the round under test
c. The power system cannot be shut down
14. What is the maximum ground resistance 19. The clamp-on tester can be used only if the
required by the National Electrical Code®? system under test is energized.
a. 5Ω a. True
b. 15Ω b. False
c. 25Ω
d. 1Ω
20. The clamp-on method of testing should not be
performed:
15. When testing a multiple electrode grid,
a. When testing large substation grounds
auxiliary electrode spacing is determined by:
b. On ground electrodes disconnected
a. Depth of the deepest rod from service
b. Maximum internal grid dimension c. On single-point, lightning protection
c. The VA rating of equipment being grounds
grounded d. All of the above
20 10000 15 1.5
15
5000 10 1
10 4000
9 3000 3/4
8 2000
5/8
7 5
6 1000 1/2
4
5 500
3
4 2 1/4
2 1
50 100
45 90
40 80
35 70
30 60
25 50
20 40
15 30
10 20
5 10
x1
x10
Circles Scales x1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
& Multipliers
Used x10 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Distance in Feet from Found under Test to Voltage Electrode