Chapter 3.

Ground Resistance and Soil resistivity

• 3.1. Ground Resistance

• The term ground is defined as a conducting connection by
which a circuit or equipment is connected to the earth.
• A ground consists of a grounding conductor, a bonding
connector, its grounding electrode(s), and the soil in contact
with the electrode.
• The grounding electrodes are usually made of a very
conductive metal (copper or
copper clad)

Fig. Grounding electrode

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Various types of ground electrodes used commonly.
The NEC states that the following elements are part of a ground
electrode system in a facility:

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Function of the grounding electrode conductor is to keep the
entire grounding system at earth potential (i.e., voltage
equalization during lightning and other transients) rather than for
conducting ground-fault current.

Resistance value for single-ground electrode systems, developed

by Professor H. R. Dwight,

where
R is the resistance of the ground rod to the earth (or soil) (Ω)
L is the grounding electrode length
r is the grounding electrode radius
r is the average resistivity(Ω-cm) of soil
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According to the NEC, ground rods should be not less than 8 ft
long and should consist of the following:
• Electrodes of conduits or pipes that are no smaller than 3/4-
inch trade size; when these conduits are made of steel, the outer
surface should be galvanized or otherwise metal-coated for
corrosion protection
• Electrodes of rods of iron or steel that are at least 5/8 inches in
diameter; the electrodes should be installed so that at least an 8-
ft length is in contact with soil

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Effect of Ground Electrode Size and Depth on
Resistance,

Increasing the diameter of the rod does not materially reduce its
resistance. Doubling the diameter of the ground rod reduces
resistance by less than 10%.

Fig. Ground resistance versus ground size.

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As a ground rod is driven deeper into the earth, its resistance is
reduced. In general, doubling the rod length reduces the resistance
by an additional 40%.

Fig. Ground resistance versus

ground rod depth.

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The NEC requires a minimum of 8 ft (2.4 m), but The most
common is a 10 ft (3 m).

A minimum diameter of 5/8 in. (1.59 cm) is required for steel

rods and 1/2 in. (1.27 cm) for copper or copper clad steels rods.

Min. practical diameter for driving limitations for 10 ft (3 m) rods

are
•1/2 in. (1.27 • cm) in average soil
• 5/8 in. (1.59 cm) in moist soil
• 3/4 in. (1.91 cm) in hard soil or more than 10 ft driving depths

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the changes in earth resistance by using multiple
ground rods

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Ground Plates
• Rectangular or circular plates should present an area of at least
2 ft square.
• Electrodes of iron and steel shall be at least 1/4 inch in thickness;
electrodes of nonferrous metal should have a minimum thickness
of 0.06 inch.
• Plate electrodes are to be installed at a minimum distance of 2.5 ft
below the surface of the earth.

Ground Ring

The ground ring encircling a building in direct contact with the

earth should be installed at a depth of not less than 2.5 ft below the
surface of the earth. The ground ring should consist of at least 20 ft
of bare copper conductor sized not less than #2 AWG.

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Ground Resistance Values

 The NEC code states that the resistance to ground shall not
exceed 25 Ω.
• How low a ground resistance should be?” An arbitrary answer
to this question is difficult. The lower the ground resistance,
the safer, and for positive protection of personnel and
equipment, it is worth the effort to aim for less than 1 Ω
 Accepted industry standards stipulate that transmission
substations should be designed not to exceed 1 Ω resistance
 In distribution substations, the maximum recommended
resistance is for 5 Ω or even 1 Ω
• In light industrial or in telecommunication central offices, 5 Ω
is often the accepted value.

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3.2. Soil Resistivity

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Soil characteristics are determined by:
Effect of salt, Effect of moisture and Effect of temperature.

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4. Equipment Grounding

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FIGURE
(a) Current flow when motor frame is grounded. (b) Current flow when motor

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