Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Earthing Systems Design Steps - Pt.3
Earthing Systems Design Steps - Pt.3
1- Apparent Resistivity
It called apparent because it does not correspond to the actual resistivity of the soil and it can be
calculated in ohm-meters by using Soil Resistivity Structure SRS Modeling in the following
procedure:
Step#1: assign the used type of the Soil Resistivity Structure SRS Modeling types which are:
Note: the multi-layer modeling doesn’t be used to calculate the Apparent Resistivity values, but it
is used to calculate the Actual values by using computer based programs.
Step#3: Repeat step#1 for several depths to get a series of readings at different values of a, as
well as in a 90 degree turned axis.
Step#4: tabulate or plot the results to get a good idea of how the resistivity is changing with depth
and will indicate the best type of earthing electrode system to design for the subject site. The
table in below figure shows a typical record sheet for resistivity measurements.
Note: According to IEEE 80, two layers SRS are often a good approximation of many
soil structures.
2 of 8 16/11/2021, 14:23
Earthing Systems Design steps – Part Three ~ Electrical Knowhow http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2013/06/earthing-systems-design-st...
A uniform SRS should only be used if the variation in the measured apparent
resistivity is low, this has a rare occurrence in practice. If a large variation occurs,
the uniform soil is unlikely to yield accurate results.
During the two layer approach, the electrode will be exposed to different
soil resistivity which represents a more realistic approach; also the safety
assessment will address the top layer resistivity which in its turn
represents a more practical situation.
Understanding the soil layers resistivity supports the designer in
determining the type of earth grid that yields to an adequate solution,
below is a couple of cases under different soil structures:
1. Low resistance layer overlaying higher resistivity layer, mesh grid will have a
better influence than driving electrodes into the high resistivity layer.
2. High resistivity layer overlaying a lower resistivity layer, a deep electrode used
to reach the lower resistivity layer will enhance the performance of the earth
grid.
The multi-layer model is useful in providing more accurate information regarding the
presence of lower resistivity layers, and hence optimizing rod driving depths.
Note: the multi-layer modeling doesn’t be used to calculate the Apparent Resistivity
values, but it is used to calculate the Actual values by using computer based
programs.
The below formula is Using the Wenner Array method, four small electrodes (auxiliary probes) are
placed in a straight line at intervals of (A) , to a depth of (B). A current is passed through the outer
two probes, and the potential voltage is then measured between the two inner probes. A simple
Ohm’s Law equation determines the resistance.
3 of 8 16/11/2021, 14:23
Earthing Systems Design steps – Part Three ~ Electrical Knowhow http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2013/06/earthing-systems-design-st...
For most practical circumstances, (A) is twenty times larger than (B), where we can then make the
assumption that B=0.
Where:
For example, if an apparent soil resistance of 4.5 ohms is at a 40-foot spacing, the soil resistivity in
ohm-meters would be 344.7 Ω-m.
The apparent resistivity will be calculated by using the uniform model equation as follows:
The apparent resistivity will be calculated by using one of the following two methods:
When using two-layer soil structure to determine the grid resistance, it is important to determine
the reflection factor K.
4 of 8 16/11/2021, 14:23
Earthing Systems Design steps – Part Three ~ Electrical Knowhow http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2013/06/earthing-systems-design-st...
The apparent soil resistivity utilizes the characteristics of the two-layer structure as shown in the
following equations:
The two -layer soil model can be approximate by using graphical methods described in Sunde’s
chart illustrated un the below figure.
5 of 8 16/11/2021, 14:23
Earthing Systems Design steps – Part Three ~ Electrical Knowhow http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2013/06/earthing-systems-design-st...
The two- layer structure consists of the characteristics shown in the below Table.
2- Actual resistivity
With all the available data, the actual soil resistivity can be determined
by using sophisticated computer programs to provide a soil model
showing the soil resistivity in ohm-meters and at various layer depths.
Knowing at what depth the most conductive soil is located for the site
allows the design engineer to model a system to meet the needs of the
application. Computer based techniques are best used to identify two or
more soil resistivity layers.
However, the Actual Resistivity calculations by using Computer programs
are not in the scope of this course.
Case Study:
Multiple soil resistivity field tests are conducted at different locations, the below Table represents the field data.
6 of 8 16/11/2021, 14:23
Earthing Systems Design steps – Part Three ~ Electrical Knowhow http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2013/06/earthing-systems-design-st...
Solution:
Using the uniform model equation to determine the average soil structure for these (5) different conditions,
So,
CDEGS software program is used to determine the two layer soil structure for these proposed case studies as in the below figure.
In the next Article, I will explain The Third Step for Earthing System Design: Grounding Design Calculations. Please, keep following.
7 of 8 16/11/2021, 14:23