Report On

Client Name

ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY TESTS (ERT)

for
Substation Details

Prepared for
Siemens Limited
India

Prepared by
Vendor Company Name.
Address:
Tel : +
Email: ---------@gmail.com

April 2021
 Table of Contents

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………… 1

2. Methodology…………………………………………………………………… 1

3. Equipment Used in the Field Study……………………………………………. 3

4. Electrical Resistivity Principle of Soil & Rockmass ….…………………… 3

5. Classification of Soil and Rock Types ….…………………………………. 4

6. Measurement Method for Earth Resistivity……………………………….… 5

7. Results & Conclusions………………………………………………………… 6

ANNEXES:
• ERT Data Sheets
• Photographs
1. INTRODUCTION

This report is prepared in accordance with the agreement of Siemens Limited, India on
behalf of --------------------- to conduct the Earth Resistivity Test (ERT) of ----------------------
-------------. It was carried out from 20th April. 2021 to 24th April, 2021 to determine
an average value of electrical resistivity of soil for design of safe earthing system.

Resistance of an earth electrode is heavily influenced by the resistivity of the soil in which
it is driven and as such, soil resistivity measurement is an important parameter when
designing earthing installations. Knowledge of the soil resistivity at the intended site, and
how this varies with parameters such as moisture content, temperature and depth, provides
a valuable insight into how the desired earth resistance value can be achieved.

Soil resistivity is a measure of how much the soil resists the flow of electricity. An
understanding of the soil resistivity and how it varies with depth in soil is a necessary to
design the grounding system in an electrical substation, or for lighting conductor. It is
needed for design of earthing system for substations.

Soil resistivity testing is the process of measuring a volume of soil to determine the conductivity
of the soil. The resulting soil resistivity is expressed in ohm-meter or ohm-centimeter.

2. METHODOLOGY

The method adopted to calculate the ground resistivity is Wenner Four-Pin Method which
was developed by Dr. Frank Wenner US Bureau of Standards in 1915, (this study also
follows IS 3043:1987 Code of Practice for Earthing). In this method four electrode are
used, two electrodes C1 and C2 for current injection into the ground and other two
electrodes P1 and P2 for voltage measurements respectively. While calculating the data on
the field, the four electrodes are embedded into the ground in the straight line and two
outer electrodes are used as current electrode and used to inject the current into the ground
and two inner electrodes are used as potential electrode and help to measure the voltage
drop due to resistance of soil path when current passes between the outer electrodes. The
schematic diagram of the Wenner Four Pin Configurations can be shown in figure - 1.

1
 The resistivity can be calculated from the measured resistance value by using the
following formula

ρ = 2πaR
Where, ρ = Resistivity in ohm-m
a = Spacing between two adjacent electrodes/spikes
R = Resistance measured in ohm
It should be noted that measurements made in this manner indicate average resistivity over a
depth of soil corresponding to the spacing between adjacent electrodes.

During the measurement on the field we have considered the following steps.
Find the centre point of the site so that measurement can cover the whole site and take the
coordinates of the centre point. This test is better to perform in flat location; it gives the
depth of one third of total length of cable layout.
Prepare the eight straight path directions for cable layout by using the geological compass
from the centre point of the site.
Take the soil resistivity measuring on the centre point of the site and connect all the
electrode cable with the soil resistivity measuring instrument and embedded the electrode
in equal spacing as mention in above Wenner Four Pin Configuration Methods.
Energize the electrode with the external power supply from soil resistance measurement
instrument and make sure that no one touches the electrode when the electrode is energized.
Save automatically or note manually the resistivity value shown in the display of the
instrument. Repeat same process for next spacing on the same path direction. In this
manner we can get the resistivity value of different distance at different depth of one
particular path direction.
Repeat the same process for next path direction. In this way we can calculate the
resistivity value of whole site at different spacing of the electrode.
In the similar way, repeat the same process for the next spacing of the electrode, and we
get the average resistivity of the site for next spacing of the electrode. In this way we get
the average resistivity of the site at different spacing of the electrode.
Spacing of Electrodes used in one direction were 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0 & 25.0m
respectively. However mentioned spacing between electrodes will depend upon the site
condition of proposed Substation area.

2
3. EQUIPMENT USED IN THE FIELD STUDY

In the surveys works the field data acquisition was made using the following equipment
KYORITSU (Earth Resistance and Resistivity Tester KEW 4106)
The equipment has following technical features:

High test current up to 80 mA yielding resolution of 0.001 ohm on 2 ohm range

Advanced Filtering method (based on FFT Fast Fourier Transform) reduces noise
interference for obtaining stable measurements.
Automatic and Manual selection of the Test Current Frequency in four bands
(94/105/111/128 Hz). In automatic mode, KEW4106 will select the most suitable
Frequency.
Several sub-results can be shown on the display: Resistance of the Auxiliary Earth
Spikes, Frequency of Test Current, Voltage and Frequency of interference (noise),
Residual resistance RK, etc.
Warning for excessive noise and high Auxiliary Earth Spikes resistance.
Large Graphic Display with backlight for readings in poorly illuminated areas.
Up to 800 measurement results can be saved in the memory and recalled on the display.
The stored results can be transferred to a PC using the "KEW Report" software and a
USB adaptor (Model 8212-USB) which are included.
Robust design with IP54 protection.

4. ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY PRINCIPLE OF SOIL & ROCKMASS

According to the Wenner 4-Pole Method, apply AC current "I" between the "E" (earth
electrode) and *H(C) (current electrode) to find out the potential difference "V" between
the two potential electrodes *S(ρ) and "ES".

To obtain the earth resistance "R(ohm)", devide the potential difference "V" by AC
current "I", where the distance between electrodes is "a" (m).

Then use this formula: ρ = 2*π*a*R (ohm-m)

3
 Fig. 1 : Schematic Diagram of the Wenner Four Pin Configurations

The electrical resistivity for geophysical properties of soil & rocks is by far the most
variable. Values ranging as much as 10 orders of magnitude may be encountered and
even individual soil & rock types can vary by several orders of magnitude.

5. CLASSIFICATION OF SOIL & ROCK TYPES

In general, Resistivity values of different soil types are listed below:

Type of Soil & Rock Mean Value of Resistivity in Ωm

Swampy soil, bogs 1 - 30
Silt alluvium 20 - 100
Humus, leaf mould 10 - 150
Peat, turf 5 - 100
Soft clay 50
Marl and compacted clay 100 - 200
Jurassic marl 30 - 40
Clayey sand 50 - 500
Siliceous sand 200 - 300
Stoney ground 1,500 - 3,000
Grass-covered-stoney sub-soil 300 - 500
Chalky soil 100 - 300
Limestone 1,000 - 5,000
Fissured limestone 500 - 1,000
Schist, shale 50 - 300
Mica schist 800
Granite and sandstone 1,500 - 10,000
Modified granite and sandstone 100 - 600
Fertile soil, compacted damp fill 50
Arid soil, gravel, uncompacted non-uniform fill 500
Stoney soil, bare, dry sand, fissured rocks 3,000

4
6. MEASUREMENT METHOD FOR EARTH RESISTIVITY

(Connection of Auxiliary Earth Spikes and Test Leads)

Stick the four Auxiliary Earth Spikes into the ground deeply. They should be aligned at
an interval of 1-30 m (a). The depth should be 5% or less of the interval between the
spikes.

Fig. 2 : Earth Resistivity Measurement Display

5
7. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS

i. Electrical Resistivity Test (ERT) at Substation site was carried out from 20th April. 2021
to 24th April, 2021 in different 8 (eight) locations.

ii. The average measured soil resistivity value of proposed substation is measured 1722.39
Ohm-m.

iii. The average soil resistivity value shows that the ground type should be Stoney soil, bare,
dry sand, fissured rocks in the premises of substation site.

iv. The ERT Points 1 and 8 were conducted at dry peak sloppy terrain having base materials
of pebbles, cobbles with fissured rockmass whereas rest of ERT Points were conducted
almost flat terrain of Cultivated Land respectively.

v. The measured soil resistivity data sheets of proposed substation site are attached in the
annexes.

6
ERT DATA SHEETS
Point : ERT 01 Model : KYORITSU, KEW 4106
Project : ERT Works For _______________________ 220kV TL Project Site Testing Date : 22. 04. 2021
Contractor: Siemens Limited, India Point :
Location: _________________
Depth of electrode penetrated : 20 cms
Measurment table

RESULT
Direction E SE S SW W WN N NE
Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity
S.N Spacing (m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m)
1 1 129 810.12 477 2995.56 397 2493.16 77 483.56 100 628.00 277 1739.56 342 2147.76 250 1570.00
2 3 355 6688.20 335 6311.40 225 4239.00 207 3899.88 35 659.40 260 4898.40 258 4860.72 233 4389.72
3 5 179 5620.60 234 7347.60 178 5589.20 109.8 3447.72 22 690.80 116 3642.40 248 7787.20 194 6091.60
4 7 31 1362.76 177 7780.92 81.1 3565.16 39 1714.44 54 2373.84 100 4396.00 145 6374.20 149 6550.04
5 10 61 3830.80 88 5526.40 26 1632.80 32 2009.60 67 4207.60 53 3328.40 55 3454.00 112 7033.60
6 15 37 3485.40 28 2637.60 12 1130.40 19 1789.80 34 3202.80 37 3485.40 12.2 1149.24 24 2260.80
7 20 41 5149.60 9 1130.40 11 1381.60 16.19 2033.46 1.56 195.94 29 3642.40
8
Average 3849.64 4818.55 2861.62 2196.92 1960.41 3581.69 3709.87 4505.45

Average Resistivity
Direction
(Ohm-m)

East 3849.64
South-East 4818.55
South 2861.62
South-West 2196.92
West 1960.41
West-North 3581.69
North 3709.87
North-East 4505.45
Average 3435.52
Point : ERT 02 Model : KYORITSU, KEW 4106
Project : ERT Works For _______________________ 220kV TL Project Site Testing Date : 22. 04. 2021
Contractor: Siemens Limited, India Point :
Location: _________________
Depth of electrode penetrated : 20 cms
Measurment table

RESULT
Direction E SE S SW W WN N NE
Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity Resistance Resistivity
S.N Spacing (m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m) (Ohm) (Ohm-m)
1 1 69 433.32 287 1802.36 60 376.80 62 389.36 72 452.16 51 320.28 78 489.84 102 640.56
2 3 38 715.92 75 1413.00 29 546.36 33 621.72 46 866.64 32 602.88 44 828.96 27 508.68
3 5 25 785.00 22 690.80 24 753.60 28 879.20 30 942.00 27 847.80 23 722.20 19 596.60
4 7 19 835.24 33 1450.68 17 747.32 24 1055.04 29 1274.84 20 879.20 31 1362.76 11 483.56
5 10 15 942.00 20 1256.00 21 1318.80 12 753.60 14 879.20 6 376.80 19 1193.20 12 753.60
6 15 9 847.80 10 942.00 15.65 1474.23 12 1130.40 7 659.40 24 2260.80 14 1318.80 9 847.80
7 20 10 1256.00 5 628.00 8 1004.80 5 628.00 9 1130.40 13 1632.80 11 1381.60 10 1256.00
8
Average 830.75 1168.98 888.84 779.62 886.38 988.65 1042.48 726.69

Average Resistivity
Direction
(Ohm-m)

East 830.75
South-East 1168.98
South 888.84
South-West 779.62
West 886.38
West-North 988.65
North 1042.48
North-East 726.69
Average 914.05
Project : ERT Works For _______________________ 220kV TL Project Site Date : Feb., 2021
Contractor: Siemens Limited, India Model : KYORITSU, KEW 4106
Location: _________________
Depth of electrode penetrated : 20 cms
RESULTS
ERT 1 ERT 2 ERT 3 ERT 4 ERT 5 ERT 6 ERT 7 ERT 8
Direction Resistivity Resistivity Resistivity Resistivity Resistivity Resistivity Resistivity Resistivity
(Ohm-m) (Ohm-m) (Ohm-m) (Ohm-m) (Ohm-m) (Ohm-m) (Ohm-m) (Ohm-m)
East 3849.64 830.75 1158.21 1158.21 1305.34 1489.26 1205.94 2935.90
South-East 4818.55 1168.98 1120.53 790.38 1279.33 1839.14 1264.97 2697.26
South 2861.62 888.84 1617.55 1328.67 1532.32 1280.07 1505.73 1526.04
South-West 2196.92 779.62 1445.30 1277.53 1577.18 1768.27 1491.05 1654.15
West 1960.41 886.38 1416.59 1607.68 1290.09 1778.14 1465.93 2925.58
West-North 3581.69 988.65 1480.29 1386.04 1285.61 1358.27 1602.30 2362.18
North 3709.87 1042.48 1708.16 1317.01 1214.73 1538.60 1361.86 2390.89
North-East 4505.45 726.69 1319.85 1513.48 1223.43 1423.47 2803.66
Minimum Resistivity 1960.41 726.69 1120.53 790.38 1214.73 1280.07 1205.94 1526.04
Maximum Resistivity 4818.55 1168.98 1708.16 1607.68 1577.18 1839.14 1602.30 2935.90
Average 3435.52 914.05 1408.31 1297.38 1338.50 1559.40 1413.97 2411.96

Average Resistivity Chart

Average Resistivity 4000.00
ERT Location
(Ohm-m)
3500.00
ERT 1 3435.52
ERT 2 914.05 3000.00

ERT 3 1408.31 2500.00

ERT 4 1297.38
2000.00
ERT 5 1338.50
ERT 6 1559.40 1500.00

ERT 7 1413.97 1000.00

ERT 8 2411.96
500.00
Average 1722.39
0.00
ERT 1 ERT 2 ERT 3 ERT 4 ERT 5 ERT 6 ERT 7 ERT 8
PHOTOGRAPHS
Conducting ERT Tests
Conducting ERT Tests
Conducting ERT Tests