ground rod resistance

[olebob]

is there a way to check the resistance of a ground rod other than using a ground rod resistance meter,thanks--bob

 

[NorthSlope]

I don't know what a "ground rod resistance meter" is - BUT - there are several legitimate ways to check the resistance of a ground rod to "remote earth" (the traditional definition). What is your resistance to a "ground resistance meter"?

 

[olebob]

hello north slope,the meter i speak of is is a clamp on meter,kinda like an amp meter ,it slips over the ground rod ,you need not take the ground conducter lose to measure the the resistance of the rod,and very exspensive like 1300.00 bucks plus.what are the legit ways to check the groud rod resistance? thanks --bob

 

[tommy75]

Well, typically when we install ground rods, and ground rings, isolated ground rings etc... We always provide the customer with a detailed megger sheet. So in short, megohm your ground rod!!

 

[jghrist]

The other way to measure the resistance is a 3-point fall-of-potential method. Several manufacturers make instruments for making this measurement, AEMC

http://www.aemc.com/html/body.asp

and Megger

http://www.megger.com/in/story/Index.php?ID=149

for instance.

Although Megger makes ground resistance testers, this is not the same as a "megger" insulation resistance tester. In short, you can use a Megger ground resistance tester, but you can't megger your ground rod.

 

[fredpar]

Do you need to do this in order to improve the resistivity of the soil? To add more ground rods?

 

[BJC]

The Amec clamp-on ground tester is probably the best instrument you can get.
The three point fall of potential may work. I assume your in permafrost, if so your time has to be pretty cheap to set up the system in ground that's harder than concrete.