Cover Page

Earth Grid Soil Resistivity Testing

PACKAGE CONTENT
1 Task List
2 Equipment Schedule of Results
3 Authentication of Result
4 Condition Score

EQUIPMENT COVERED BY THIS TASK LIST

1 Earth grid, Main earth bar and its terminations, Main earthing conductor, applicable
Protective earthing, Functional earthing and other earthing connected to the Main Earth Grid
and Main Earth Bar

INSTRUCTIONS
1 Load button to start and save form.
2 Complete the top section of each page of the Equipment Schedule of Results.
3 Add additional equipment as required to the Equipment Schedule of Results.
4 Complete tasks.
5 Refer to the work order for possible special job instructions.
6 Record Results and Condition Score on the Equipment Schedule of Results.
7 Fields not completed shall be marked with line (---) unless greyed out.
8 If the test was required and could not be completed a score of 3 and the reason
must be given in limitations.
9 Provide comments on form for all equipment with a score of 2,3,4, or 5.
10 Include photographs for scores of 4 or 5.
11 Records shall be submitted by the end of each week from the date of completion.
12 Submit Record.

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 Soil resistivity testing

The objective is to manage the risk of touch, step, and transfer voltages, personnel injury, damaging cable and
equipment by inspecting and testing of Earth Grid (EGD).

This inspection excludes surge, HV, LV, MEN and lightning protection systems including cathodic protection. Also
excludes earth fault loop impedance testing.

The Condition Score incorporates the results of inspection and examination maintenance operations. The tasks
below indicate formal items that should be inspected for the Earth Grid. Record results and condition score on the
Equipment Schedule of Test Results form.

Note: Electricians with training in Earth Grid testing are required to perform the inspection and testing.
In the case of HV systems appropriate HV qualified personnel is also a requirement.

Earth Grid - Non Electrode Type

• Carry out Soil resistivity test.
• Report must be attached.

Documentation

All measurement, test and design documentation should be properly recorded and kept. To maintain
the integrity of the earthing installation over a long period of time and to assess the suitability of the
Earth Grid for present fault levels the following records should be maintained.
• Engineering design specification and calculations
• Results of installation and commissioning tests
• Results of periodic inspections and measurements
• Update of fault level if any
• Drawings showing the earthing system layout including location and size of all Earth
Conductors, Electrodes, Earth Grid and the location of all Grid Connections.

• Obtain and Review any previous test results and schematics to detect changes and Report.
• Defined Earth Grid and Earth Electrode Tag numbering to be used on Result sheet and
Layout Drawings.

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 Earth Grid layout Examples

Energex Supply Energex Supply

L1 L2 L3 EARTH GRID Connection Layout Example No.1 EARTH Electrode Connection Layout Example No.5
(Green in Scope) (Blue Out of Scope) Out of Scope
Earth Grid Note: < than 2 Electrodes is not considered as an Earth Grid.
Main Earth Conductor
Main Earth Bar Main Switch Board/MCC on Site

Out of Scope
Site Transformer
Neutral/Protective earth (PEN)
Main Switch Board/MCC on Site L1 L2 L3

L1 MEN Connection
L2 Main Earth Bar
L3 MEN Connection
N
Neutral Bar

Neutral Bar
Other Earth Connections

Other Earth Connections

Main Earth Electrode

EARTH GRID CONNECTION Layout Example No.2 (Multiple Earth Electrodes) EARTH GRID CONNECTION Layout Example No.3
(Green in Scope) Energex Supply Out of Scope Energex Supply (Green in Scope)
Earth Grid Out of Scope Energex Substation
Main Earth Conductor Earth Grid
Main Earth Bar Main Earth Conductor L3
Main Earth Bar
L1 L2 L3 Neutral/Protective earth (PEN)

MEN Connection

L1L2L3 Neutral
Main MEN Connection
Neutral Bar Neutral Bar

Main Switch Board

Other Earth Connections

Main Earth Electrodes To Other Earth Electrodes

Connected to Main Earth Bar Not Connected to Main Earth Bar

Note: Layout Example No.5 is Out Of Scope in this example

EARTH GRID CONNECTION Layout Example No.4

RMU (Red in Scope)
Out of Scope
Neutral Earth Grid
Main Earth Conductor
L1 L2 L3
Main MEN Connection Main Earth Bar
Note: Layout Example No.5 is Out Of Scope in this example

Main Switch Board L1L2L3 N

L1 L2 L3 N

HV/LV Step down transformer

L1L2L3 N Co Generation

LV Switch Board HV Switch Board

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 Task List

Definitions
Calibrate
A comparison of measuring equipment against a standard instrument of higher accuracy, a known
value reference cell or a standardised solution to detect, correlate, adjust, rectify and
document the accuracy of the instrument being compared. - ISA Calibration Principles.
Element
The Probe, Electrode, Sensor or Transducer that is used to interface with the actual product or
process medium.
Function Test
Tests the function of the complete loop from measuring device through to the final output element,
for operation as designed.
May
Indicates the existence of an option. - AS/NZS 3760
Proof Test
Proves the operation of the equipment and tests for otherwise undetectable faults.
Setup
Measuring equipment is setup for the intended range and parameters of the application.
Some instruments can be setup but not calibrated.
Shall
Indicates a statement is mandatory to achieve compliance.
Items that are designated shall and that are not completed should be detailed in limitations.
Should
Indicates a statement is preferred as indicating good practice, but is not mandatory. - AS/NZS 3760
Tolerance
Permissible deviation from a specified value; may be expressed in measurement units,
percent of span, or percent of reading. Tolerance is application specific. - ISA Calibration Principles.
Visual Inspection
Generally an external inspection using ones senses to determine the condition of the equipment.
May require partial dismantling of equipment, does not include use of test equipment.

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 Reset

1. Load Equipment Schedule of Results

Work Order
Equipment Ref: MST No:
Equipment Description:
Reference Documents
Maintenance Manual: Drawing No:
Test Equipment (Type,
Model & Serial):
Special Instructions
Fixed Results

Condition
Soil Resitivity

PotentialTest
Earthpotential
Connections

Cad welder/
type Bolted/
Conenction

Overall Grid

Resistance
Installation

Earth grid/

Rise (EPR)
resistance

Score
conductor
Earthing /
Description

Individual

Insulation
<10 ohms

Potenetial
Clamped

Resitiivity

restiance
Terminal
Bonding

Type of

<1ohm

contact
Touch
Date

Step
size

Test
1-5

-
Tag
Description

Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description

Tag
Description
Additional comment if required.

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 Equipment Schedule of Results

Work Order
Equipment Ref: MST No:

Fixed Results

Condition
Connections

Type Bolted/

Resistance
Earth grid /
Installation

Connection
Conductor

Cad wlded/

Earth Grid

Resistivity

Score
<10 ohms
Description

Continuity

Resitance
Insulation
Individual

continuity
Earthing/

Potential

Potential
<5 ohms

Potential

Terminal
Bonding

Clamped

Contact
Type of

Touch
Earth
Date

Step
Size

Test

Test
Rise
Soil
1-5

-
-
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description

Tag
Description
Additional comment if required.

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 Equipment Schedule of Results

Work Order
Equipment Ref: MST No:

Fixed Results

Condition
Connections

CadWerlded
type Bolted/
Earth grid /

Connection

Resistance
Installation

Earth Grid

Resistivity

Score
<10 ohms
Continuity
conductor

Resitance
/Clamped

Insulation
Individual

continuity
Earthing/
Description

Potential
<5 ohms

Potential

Potential
Terminal
Bonding

Contact
Type of

Touch
Earth
Date

Test
Step
Rise
Size

Test
Soil
1-5

-
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description
Tag
Description

Tag
Description
Additional comment if required.

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 Equipment Schedule of Results

Work Order
Equipment Ref: MST No:

Authentication Of Results

The results recorded in the Schedule of Results verifies, subject to the specified level of maintenance or inspection and any limitations & observations listed below, the condition of the
equipment listed.

Limitations & Observations (Technician to detail limitations and items requiring attention. Condition Score 2,3,4,5):

Inspected and Tested by

2. Crossout
_____________________ _________________________ _____________________ _________________________
Work Order License/Qualification Type & Number 3. Check Signature

Planned Corrective (For Office Use. Receiving Officer to record reference numbers and comments):

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 Condition Score

Condition Score
Very Good Condition.
1 It is stable, no additional work required.
Advise normal or extended maintenance interval.
Good Condition.
Only used where repair/replacement work is completed as per job instructions
2
Now it is stable and safe.

Fair Good Condition. Signs of degradation or uncompleted tasks.

Schedule for re-inspection is recommended; or
3 Part repair/replacement is required (Planned Corrective in 3-9 months); or
Whole asset renewal/rehabilitation is recommended within a timeframe of 3-5 years.
Work request notification shall be submitted.

Poor Condition. Likely to fail.

Part repair/replacement is required (Planned Corrective in 1-3 months); or
4
Whole asset renewal/rehabilitation is recommended within a timeframe of 1-3 years.
Work request notification shall be submitted.

Unserviceable or breach of regulation or business requirement -

requires URGENT attention.
Repair/replacement is required as soon as possible (Planned Corrective in 1-4 weeks); or
5
Whole asset renewal/rehabilitation is recommended within a timeframe of 6-12 months.
Work request notification shall be submitted; or
Make safe and report ASAP (arrange Responsive or Urgent Planned Corrective work order).

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