By Andrew Hamilton


People often feel safer when residing in grounded buildings which are installed with the right earthing systems. The systems are essential in giving safety to dwellers and electronic devices by providing a safer path for the colossal current from a lightning strike or even from an over-voltage system. Therefore, the earthing systems necessitate for regular ground testing exercises. They are aimed at affirming that the earth resistance does not increase and also to ensure that the systems are in good condition.

Traditionally, technicians used antique test apparatus and probes. The probes were primarily used to introduce current into the ground between the test electrodes and the control probe used. This was shadowed by the actual measuring of current. Only the drop or rise in voltage was recorded for the soil embedded by the apparatus. After taking the readings, the technician would use Ohm principles to compute the earth resistance proximate to the grounding system.

With the development of new instrumentation, the test procedure was standardized by the use of two modern approaches. They were introduced by making slight modifications so as to deal with special situations that needed fine-tuning. It also aimed at improving the productivity and functionality of earthing systems. However, both methods deploy similar instrumentation which has undergone a steady improvement to enhance safety, convenience, accuracy, and ease of operations.

The first method is the three-point test approach. It is performed by isolating the grounding system under test from the power source. It also obliges the technician to remove all the conducting and neutral connections that are extending past the earthing system. This approach is effective for large earthing systems. It is also appropriate for small electrode connections.

Additionally, the other approach is the induced frequency test. It is effective in that it can be performed when the power is still on. It requires the power utility to be connected to the earthing system under test. The test is accurate for small electrodes since it reads the frequencies in the kilohertz range. The range used assume elongated conductors as inductive chokes and thus do not reflect readings for the entire grounding system.

Accurate test results require the use of a correct approach and the right instruments. This is usually focused on improving the accuracy in results garnered. It also aims at making the testing process faster and simpler. Other vitiating factors that can affect the findings should be harmonized appropriately. For example, a heavy downpour can affect the resistance of the ground under the test.

Moreover, computer-aided testing approaches have been invented to offer complete and accurate results. They require little or no need for extra analysis as was the case in other approaches. They also do not need de-energizing or isolating the ground system being tested. The systems used are high powered and have the ability to identify and eliminate background noise, Electromagnetic Interference, stray currents from the test results.

Therefore, the test procedures have maintained a persistent progression in stages with the ultimate goal of improving test accuracy. This has also been triggered by an improvement in instrumentation used. The testing is helpful in that it improves how the lightning earthing systems will function in conveying the discharged spark current to the ground.




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