EE-3183– Laboratory Practice IV

Measurement of earth resistance and

resistivity

Instructed by:- D.M Tharaka Siyambalapitiya

Group members: Name – Jalini S

190244J – Jagaprahaladan M. Index No – 190246R

190245M – Jagoda N.S Course – EE-3183
190246R – Jalini S Group – G6
190251D – Jayakody J.A.D.A.N Date of per – 2022/11/17
190267G – Jayasundara J.M.B.P Date of sub – 2022/12/04
 DECLARATION

I……Jalini S……… (Index no: …190246R…), hereby declare that this course work entitled ………
measurement of earth resistance and resistivity …….. is my own course work, which is prepared by me
towards the module EE - ……3183…….. This does not incorporate any material written/submitted or
published by any other person except where acknowledgement is made in text.

…………2022/12/04…………. ………………………………

Date Signature

REMARKS
Observations Yes No N/A
Observations are in complete ☐ ☐ ☐
1. Well written, neat and clear ☐ ☐ ☐
Theory and procedure
2. Theory is written in their own language ☐ ☐ ☐
3. Procedure is given clearly in point form ☐ ☐ ☐
Graphs
4. Graph titles are indicated clearly ☐ ☐ ☐
5. Axis titles are indicated clearly (with units) ☐ ☐ ☐
6. Data tables for graphs clearly presented ☐ ☐ ☐
7. Graphs are correct ☐ ☐ ☐
8. Legends are indicated clearly ☐ ☐ ☐
9. Scale is given correctly ☐ ☐ ☐
Calculation
10. Followed proper steps ☐ ☐ ☐
11. Correctly done without numerical errors ☐ ☐ ☐
Discussion
12. Discuss the outcome comparing theoretical and experiment results ☐ ☐ ☐
13. References are cited and listed ☐ ☐ ☐
14. Relevant innovative ideas/ improvements are presented ☐ ☐ ☐

Marked by :…………………………………………

Date :…………………………………………. Signature : …………………..

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Feedback received.
Comments by the student : ………………………………………………………………………………
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Date : ……………………. Signature : ………………….

Calculation
Earth resistivity ρ = 2πA. Vbc/I

For example, A = 7.5m,

Vbc = 0.18V,

I = 0.57A

ρ = 2×π×7.5×0.18/0.57 = 14.88Ωm

Electrode Span Potential Earth Current Resistivity ρ

(Ωm)
A(m) Electrode I(mA)
Voltage (V)

7.5 0.18 570 14.88

5 0.8 500 50.27

3 1.4 490 53.86

2 2.2 480 57.6

1.5 5.4 740 6878

Earth Resistance vs Depth of the Electrode

Depth of the Earth resistance(Ω)

electrode(m)

0.2 131.5

0.4 125.3

0.6 79.4

0.8 110.2

1 101.8

1.2 85.3

1.4 78

1.6 68.2

1.8 62.5

2 50.5
 Earth resistance(Ω)
160

140

120

100
earth resistance

80

60

40

20

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
depth of the electrode
Earth Resistance vs Distance between E and P

Distance between E Earth resistance(Ω)

and P(m)

0.2 35.2

0.4 43.0

0.6 49.4

0.8 49.5

1.0 47.7

1.5 54.5

2.0 55.9

3.5 58.1

7.5 62.1

10.0 58.2
 Earth resistance(Ω)
70

60

50

40
Earth resistance

30

20

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
distance between E and P
Discussion
1. What is the importance of studying earth resistance and resistivity?
We obtain some context when we "earth" our system. It is crucial to
research earth resistivity for a number of reasons. Humans and live animals may be exposed to electric
shock, and issues with power factor and harmonic distortion may arise if there is no grounding
mechanism. If a grounding system is not correctly constructed and maintained, fault currents will find
unintended routes that may pass through people. Therefore, while designing a grounding circuit for
electrical systems, Earth resistance and earth resistivity are crucial considerations. The earthing and earth
resistivity play a significant role in the protection of electrical systems. Studying earth resistance and
resistivity is crucial for system and life protection.

2. Why it is important to bring the earth resistance to a desirable value?

As was already indicated, it is more crucial to learn about earth resistivity and resistance to the earth while
thinking about the grounding of electrical systems. Electrical system grounding has numerous advantages for
electrical machinery as well as for humans who work with electrical systems. People can be protected from
electrical shocks, protective devices can be activated in the event of an insulation fault, plant and equipment are
shielded from damage, lightning voltage is limited, electromagnetic interference is reduced, and power factor
issues are minimized. Therefore, it is crucial to achieve a desired level of earth resistance and earth resistivity.

There are several variables that affect earth resistance and earth resistivity. for instance, soil type, temperature,
chemical make-up, and moisture content. When the type of soil varies from location to location, so does the
earth's resistance. In order to ensure optimum safety for electrical systems and consumers, we must choose the
proper way of grounding to produce the lowest possible earth resistance for the grounding terminal. We can
choose the type of grounding technique and the depth at which an electrode will be driven. The rod's rust is
another issue that needs to be addressed. Therefore, by researching all the aforementioned aspects, we may
eventually develop a workable grounding system.

There are four common techniques for grounding. These include the use of copper plates, single rod, numerous
rods, and conductor mesh methods. In addition to considering the type of soil, we must also consider the type of
rod we intend to use while selecting the desirable value.

3. What is the range that the earth resistance normally lies?

These are a few details that have a significant impact on earth resistivity. such as temperature, moisture
content, and salt content that has been dissolved. These factors explain why earth resistivity varies globally and
fluctuates with the seasons. As a result, it is difficult to define the range of earth resistance or earth resistivity. The
range of the earth's resistance is 2 to 1000 meters. We can determine the earth resistance of a region by
conducting an experiment on earth resistivity and using the results of that experiment to make observations.
According to our practical calculations, the earth's resistivity in that area of observation is about between 14 and
108 m.
4. Give your suggestions to reduce the earth resistance (or to bring the earth resistance to a
desirable value).
• Increase the moisture content of the soil by adding water. ▪ Add a salt mixture to the
area to increase the salt content.
• Use a larger grounding electrode.
• Increase the burying depth of the grounding electrode.
• Use more than one electrode.
• Use a plate electrode rather than a pipe electrode such that area of contact with the
ground of the electrode is increased.