STUDY OF EARTHING AND MEASUREMENT OF EARTH PIT RESISTANCE

Ex No: Date:

AIM
To study the need of earthing and to measure soil resistivity and earth pit resistance

OBJECTIVES:

 To measure earth pit resistance using megger.

 To measure soil resistivity using megger.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
S. No. Name of the Apparatus Type Quantity
4 Terminal -
1 Earth tester 1
Digital
2 Spikes - 4
4 Nos (50 feet
3 Connecting wires -
each)
4 Hammer - 1
5 Plier - 1
6 Screwdriver - 1

FORMULA
Resistivity ρ = 2лLR Ω-m
where,
L- distance between spikes (m)
R – meter reading (Ω)
PRECAUTIONS
1. Understand the equipment to be tested and apparatus to be used
2. Select proper type (i.e. AC or DC) and range of meters
3. Do not touch the live terminals
4. Use suitable wires (type and size)
5. All the connection should be tight
6. Do not leave loose wires (i.e. wires not connected)
7. Get the connection checked before switching ‘ON’ the supply
8. Strictly observe the instructions given by the faculty/Lab Instructor

THEORY
Earth resistance is the resistance of soil to the passage of electric current. Actually, the earth
is a relatively poor conductor of electricity compared to normal conductors like copper wire.
But, if the area of a path for current is large enough, resistance can be quite low and the earth
can be a good conductor. The grounding system is an essential element for the electrical
system security and it is required to:
(i) Allow for protective devices activation when there is an insulation fault.
(ii) Equalize the potential of conductive parts that can be accessed simultaneously,
with the potential in the surrounding soil in order to prevent people from being
exposed to hazardous voltages.
(iii) Allow the lightning strike energy to be safely dissipated.
(iv) To Reduce electromagnetic interferences
(v) To maintain system voltages on healthy lines within reasonable limits under fault
conditions there by preventing insulation breakdown.
The 3 point method fall of potential ground resistance test requires complete isolation from
the power utility. Not just power isolation, but also removal of any neutral or other such
ground connections extending outside the grounding system. This test is the most suitable test
for large grounding systems and is also suitable for small electrodes.

PROCEDURE
MEASUREMENT OF EARTH PIT RESISTANCE
1. Put the two spikes acting as current & potential electrode into the ground at a distance
of 50 to 70 feet each from earth electrode under test as shown in Fig. 1.
2. Connect the two spikes to E2 & P2 terminals respectively.
3. Short the E1 & P1 terminals & connect it to the earth electrode under test.
4. Place the megger on horizontal firm stud.
5. Note down the reading by pressing the test switch
6. Take down the 3 to 4 readings by keeping the distance same and placing the
electrodes at the other positions.
7. Take the average of these readings which is equal to earth pit resistance.

MEASUREMENT OF EARTH RESISTIVITY

1. Put the four spikes acting as current & potential electrode in to the ground at a
distance of 50 to 70 feet each from earth electrode under test as shown in Fig. 2.
2. Connect the four spikes to E1, P1, E2 & P2 terminals respectively.
3. Place the earth tester on horizontal firm stud.
4. Note down the reading by pressing the test switch
5. Take down 3 to 4 readings by keeping the distance same and placing the electrodes at
the other positions.
6. Take the average of these readings and is in ohm. Using the formula, determine the
soil resistivity.

TABULAR COLUMN:
MEASUREMENT OF EARTH RESISTANCE
S. Position of the spikes with respect to Reading of the earth Mean of the
No. earth pit under test (feet or m) tester (ohm) readings (ohm)

MEASUREMENT OF EARTH RESISTIVITY

S. No. Distance between spikes (m) Resistance (ohm) Resistivity
(ohm-m)

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram for earth pit resistance

Fig. 2 Schematic diagram for earth resistivity

RESULT:
INFERENCE: