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Thread: Ground rod testing
Register Help What's New? Moderators FAQ Forum Actions Quick Links Advanced Search Results 1 to 10 of 12 Page 1 of 2 1 2 Last Thread Tools Search Thread Display 08-02-04, 10:32 PM Join Date: Posts: May 2003 6 Ground rod testing What is the procedure for testing driven ground rods at a service? #1 Junior Member american electric 08-02-04, 10:37 PM Join Date: Location: Posts: Feb 2003 Plano, TX 3,770 Re: Ground rod testing There are a couple of methods. The most accurate is a 3-point "Fall or Potential" using a megger. Another less accurate, but much easier is using a loop clamp-on type of tester made by AEMC. #2 Moderator dereckbc #3 Forum Ground rod testing http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=56823 1 of 5 9/20/2014 10:08 AM 08-02-04, 10:46 PM Join Date: Location: Posts: Feb 2003 Florida 7,282 Re: Ground rod testing There are several methods for testing ground resistance. The most common are 2, 3, and 4 point testers. These are usually called Fall of Potential testers. The exact process and procedures will be provided by the manufacturer. A clamp-on meter has recently hit the market and makes the test much more time saving and requires no auxiliary equipment. I got one for around $1,100 that was re-conditioned. Bryan P. Holland, MCP Senior Member bphgravity 08-02-04, 10:50 PM Join Date: Posts: May 2003 6 Re: Ground rod testing Thanks Dereck. I have the megger. Could you give me a brief instruction on the "fall & potential" method? Thanks ,Glenn @A.E. #4 Junior Member american electric 08-02-04, 11:15 PM Join Date: Location: Posts: Feb 2004 federal way,washington 1,240 Re: Ground rod testing me too derrick #5 Senior Member stew 08-03-04, 12:25 AM Join Date: Location: Posts: Feb 2003 Bremerton, Washington 6,627 #6 Ground rod testing http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=56823 2 of 5 9/20/2014 10:08 AM Re: Ground rod testing Glen its a 3 pole or four pole tester, it may be made by megger but its not a "megger". Moderator-Washington State Ancora Imparo Moderator tom baker 08-03-04, 07:00 AM Join Date: Location: Posts: Feb 2003 Florida 7,282 Re: Ground rod testing The theory is simply. The operation can be complicated. Ohm's Law tells us that if current is constant, voltage will be inversely proportional to resistance. Utilizing a ground resistance meter (digital is preferred), two auxiliary electrodes are driven into the soil at predetermined distances, per the testing specifications. During a normal test of ground rod the meter supplies a constant current between the ground rod under test and the most remote auxiliary electrode. A series of measurements of the voltage drops between the ground rod under test and the remote electrode are made by moving the intermediate electrode in steps away from the ground rod under test. Accurate testing is confirmed by testing a second time in an opposite direction. The results are plotted and an accuracy curve is made. As stated before, this procedure takes time and good training to get accurate results. Bryan P. Holland, MCP #7 Senior Member bphgravity 08-03-04, 07:27 AM Join Date: Posts: May 2003 6 Re: Ground rod testing #8 Junior Member american electric Ground rod testing http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=56823 3 of 5 9/20/2014 10:08 AM Thanks Tom. I thought Dereck was reffering to a type of meter ("megohmeter") rather than a manufacturer of the equipment. Sounds like I won't be able to assure the quality (in ohms) of the driven ground rods without either of these testers that Dereck mentioned. A local car dealership asked me to verify their grounding. They have lost thier computers a few times after thunder storms. Their computer people are suspicious that the gronding of the service is not good. I have visually inspected and tested the continuity with an ohm meter (Fluke 87) all good to the rods. The service is 400 amps , 3 phase, 2 cu rods connected with continuous #4 bare and about 10 years old by estimate. The rods are less than 10 ft. away. Any ideas? How about manufacturers of these testers? I don't know who AEMC is. Thanks 08-03-04, 07:37 AM Join Date: Posts: May 2003 6 Re: Ground rod testing Thanks again, sounds like the "clamp on" type is the one for me. BTW, I am brand new to the east coast and have never dealt with the lightning factor. Never really thought about it really. It is confusing in many respects and I notice there are many opinions. Know of any good reading that would give me a basic understanding? #9 Junior Member american electric 08-03-04, 10:34 AM Join Date: Location: Posts: Feb 2003 Plano, TX 3,770 #10 Moderator dereckbc Ground rod testing http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=56823 4 of 5 9/20/2014 10:08 AM Previous Thread | Next Thread
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:37 PM. Powered by vBulletin Version 4.2.1 Copyright 2014 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. Re: Ground rod testing For AEMC loop tester go here: http://www.groundtesterstore.com /index.php?source=EM Look for model 3731 For soil resistance go here: http://www.avointl.com/us/products/P...PSGC=B105&BS=B Look on the right for 3-point or 4-point To be honest I think you are barking up the wrong tree. I would be looking into TVSS and inside wiring distribution. Page 1 of 2 1 2 Last Quick Navigation Grounding versus Bonding Top
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