4.

17 TEST 8: EARTH ELECTRODE RESISTANCE

There are three methods which may be used to measure an earth
electrode resistance. Each one is unique to a given application; they are
classified as E1, E2 or E3.
• E1 Application – Generally accepted as the standard earth electrode
test for generators and transformers.
• Test Instrument: Earth Electrode Tester, usually the four-
terminal type (fall of potential or three-terminal type are also
available).
• Type of Test: Dead.

• E2 Application – Depends upon the number of earth electrodes.

• One coil type instrument: Used to test systems with just one earth
electrode.
• Two coil type instrument: Used to test systems with more than one
electrode.
• Test Instrument: Earth Electrode Tester, either a stakeless type or
a probe type.
• Type of Test: Dead.
• E3 Application – Generally associated with TT earthing systems where
RCD protection is present.
• Test Instrument: Earth Fault Loop Impedance Tester
• Type of Test: Live.

E1 testing
procedure
Test Instrument: Four Terminal Earth Electrode Resistance
Tester
i) Isolate the supply.
ii) Disconnect the earthing conductor from the earth electrode, provided
it is safe to do so.
iii) With the four terminal (P1, C1, P2 and C2) instrument, short terminals
P1 and C1 and connect a lead to the earth electrode to be tested.
iv) Place the Current test probe, C2, a distance which is equal to ten times
the length of electrode under test, e.g. 10 × 3 m = 30 m, from the earth
electrode to be tested.
v) The Potential test probe, P2, is placed mid-point between C2 and the
electrode under test.
vi) A minimum of three test readings should be taken, the first with the
potential test probe P2 in its original position then a further two
readings with P2 moved either side of P2’s original position. The
distance should
 be equal to 10% of the distance between the electrode under test and
C2. In the example given in (iv) the distance will be 3 metres.
vii) The average of the three readings is calculated and must not be greater
than 21Ω.
viii) On completion of the test the earth must be re-connected.
Caution: If there is just one earth electrode this may leave the installation
unprotected against earth faults, therefore complete isolation of the installation
must be made.

E2 Testing
Procedure
Test Instrument: One test
coil type
The testing method applied with the one test coil type of instrument is similar to
that used for Method El, inasmuch as two temporary test spikes (electrodes) are
used, but the earth electrode under test must not be disconnected.

Test Instrument: Two test

coil type
The testing method employed with the two test coil type of instrument is
dependent upon the number of earthed electrodes within the installation;
although the additional electrode(s) may not necessarily be the actual earth
electrode(s) to be tested but extraneous-conductive-parts such as metallic
services pipes or buried structural metalwork. The two coils of the instrument,
one being a constant voltage variety and the other an induced current type, are
clamped into place a small distance apart around the earthed electrode to be
tested. The constant voltage coil induces a known voltage into a loop created
by the earthed electrode and the general mass of earth; whereas the second coil
measures the test current. It is not unusual, in practice, for the two coils to be
combined in one clamp attachment.

E3 Testing
Procedure
Test instrument: Earth Fault Loop
Impedance Tester
 i) Ensure it is safe to disconnect the earth conductor before testing takes
place.
ii) Isolate the supply before disconnecting the earth conductor.
iii) Connect the leads of the instrument between the installation’s
incoming live conductor and the earth electrode.
iv) The impedance reading taken is treated as the electrode resistance.
v) On completion of the test the earth electrode must be re-connected
Where an installation’s earthing protection is provided by TT, the
essential requirements to secure this type of protection are stipulated in
Regulations 411.5.1–411.5.4of BS 7671.
A significant component in the TT protection system is the RCD. Where
this device is used the following conditions must be fulfilled:
RA × IΔn ≤ 50 volts

Where:
RA is the sum of the resistances of the earth electrode and the
protective conductors connecting it to the exposed-conductive-
parts [in ohms (Ω)].
IΔn is the rated residual operating current of the RCD.
Where RA is not known, it may be replaced in the above equation
with Zs. Consequently the earth fault loop impedance (Zs) can be
determined as follows, after the transposition of the original equation:

50
Zs =
IΔn

where IΔn =
30mA

Note: 30mA = 30 × 10−3 A = 30 × 0.001A =

0.03A.
Therefore Zs = 50/0.03 =
1667Ω.
Currently there are no Zs Tables in BS 7671 for a TT earthing
system, which highlight the maximum earth fault loop impedances,
nevertheless if Zs exceeds 200Ω it is considered to be unstable; that is, the
disconnection times given in Table 41.1 and Regulation 411.3.2.4 of BS
7671 may not be achieved.
Furthermore, where an RCD is used for fault protection the circuit
should also incorporate an overcurrent protective device (see Chapter 43 of
BS 7671).
An overcurrent protective device may be used for fault protection,
provided the final circuit’s value of Zs is reliable, permanent, has a
sufficiently low value and the following condition has been fulfilled:
Zs × Ia ≤ Uo × Cmin
 Uo × Cmin
and Zs =
Ia
 Where:
Ia can be considered to be the fault current in amperes (A), which will cause the protective device
to operate within the time specified in Table 41.1.
Uo is the nominal a.c. rms or dc line voltage to earth in volts (V).
Cmin is the minimum voltage factor to take account of voltage variations depending on time and place,
changing of transformer taps and other considerations.