Lab – 3: Finding Earth Resistance Using Earth Resistance Tester

3.1 Learning outcomes

 To learn about the resistivity of the soil.

 Calculation the soil resistivity of different location.

3.2 Equipment Required

Earth resistance tester, Earth wire, Three spikes

Connecting wires several meters long (Red, Yellow,
Green), Hammer
Tools & Components

1.3 Resume of theory

1.3.1 Theory and background

The Resistance of a conductor depends on the atomic structure of the material or its
Resistivity (measured in Ohm-m or Ω-m), which is that property of a material that measures
its ability to conduct electricity. A material with a low resistivity will behave as a “good
conductor” and one with a high resistivity will behave as a “bad conductor”. The commonly
used symbol for resistivity is ρ (Greek symbol rho).

The resistance (R) of a conductor can be derived from the resistivity as:

Resistivity is also sometimes referred to as “Specific Resistance” because, from the above
formula. Soil resistivity is the measure of the resistance between the opposite sides of the
cube of soil of 1 meter side dimension each.

The term “earth resistivity” expressed in ohm-centimetres (abbreviated ohm-cm) is one basic
variable affecting resistance to earth of an electrode system. But the actual value of earth
resistivity need not be measured to check the electrode earth resistance. Consider other fields
where the value of resistivity is measured; also some of the factors affecting it that are of

Workshop Lab 3
interest in earth testing. Earth resistivity measurements can be used conveniently for
geophysical prospecting — to locate ore bodies, clays, and water-bearing gravel beneath the
earth’s surface. The measurement can also be used to determine depth to bed rock and
thickness of glacial drift. Measurements of earth resistivity are useful also for finding the best
location and depth for low resistance electrodes. Such studies are made, for example, when a
new electrical unit is being constructed; a generating station, substation, transmission tower,
or telephone central office.

Table 1. Resistivity of different soils with limits

3.3.2 How Earth Resistivity is measured?

A four-terminal instrument is used to measure earth resistivity. Now, however, you use four
small-sized electrodes driven down to the same depth and equal distances apart in a straight
line (Fig. 1). Four separate lead wires connect the electrodes to the four terminals on the
instrument, as shown. Hence, the name of this test: the four-terminal method. Dr. Frank
Wenner of the U.S. Bureau of Standards (now NIST) developed the theory behind this test in
1915 (see reference pg. 76). He showed that, if the electrode depth (B) is kept small
compared to the distance between the electrodes (A), the following formula applies:

ρ = 2π AR

Where ρ is the average soil resistivity to depth A in ohm-cm, π is the constant 3.1416, A is
the distance between the electrodes in cm, and R is the Megger earth tester reading in ohms.
In other words, if the distance A between the electrodes is 4 ft. you obtain the average earth
resistivity to a depth of 4 ft as follows:

1. Convert the 4 ft. to centimetres to obtain A in the formula:

4 x 12 x 2.54 cm = 122 cm

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2. Multiply 2 π A to obtain a constant for a given test setup:

2 x 3.14 x 122 = 766

Now, for example, if your instrument reading is 60 Ω, the earth resistivity would be 60 x 766,
or 45,960 ohm-cm.

EARTH RESISTANCE TESTER PE-331

Figure 2. Earth Resistance Tester Model PE-331

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3.4 Connection Diagram

As shown in figure 2. .above, a current I is passed through the earthling plate X to an

auxiliary Electrode Z in the ground at a considerable distance (few meters away) from it. A
second Electrode Y is inserted between the plate X and Electrode Z. The potential difference
between X and Y is measured through earth resistance Tester to found the resistance of earth
at any point. Applying Ohm’s Law:

V
Rx ¿ I ohm

The value of Rx depends on the placing of the auxiliary electrode. A curve showing the Rx
for different distances of Y from X as shown in figure 1 , the correct value of Rx is that in
section A to B on the curve. By means of Earth resistance tester Model PE-331 the resistance
Rx can be measured directly. In this experiment we used two earthing plates.

X1 Diameter D1 and X2 of Diameter D2.

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 Figure 3. Earth resistance Testing Connection Diagram

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3.5 Procedure

1. Fit an existing earth electrode into ground whose resistance is to be measured.

2. Connect the earth wire to the X and auxiliary earth Y and electrode Z to the corresponding
terminals of the tester.

3. Now select range of ohms on tester display as appropriate.

4. Power ON the tester now after complete wires connection to tester terminals.

5. For each distance between Y and X, press the push button control. Read the displayed
resistance of earth.

6. Turn OFF tester and repeat experiment several times.

7. Tabulate the resistance values each time and evaluate average resistance by summing up
all resistances at different distances divided by total number of experiment repeated.

R 1+ R 2+ R3+ …
R=
n

Where n is the number of resistance found.

3.6 TASK 1:Complete the Table:

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 Spike 1 Distance Spike 2 Distance Resistance in Ohm AC-Voltage
S.No in Meters (m) in Meters measured

3.7 Calculations

3.8 Conclusion:

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Assessment Sheet:

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Name: ----------------------------------------------------

Registration No: --------------------------------------

Lab No: --------------------------------------------------

Date: -----------------------------------------------------

Task 1 (Name the Electrical Accessories)

Task

Lab Viva

Total score in lab

Instructor verification

Workshop Lab 3