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Soil Resistivity Testing Background Noise

Soil Resistivity Testing 10 Common Mistakes

This is a series of short posts on Soil Resistivity Testing and the common mistakes encountered, with practical advice on how to avoid Soil Resistivity Testing 10 Common Mistakes.

Soil Resistivity Testing Background Noise – Due to nearby sources of 50 Hz (or 60 Hz) current and its harmonics, electrical noise at these frequencies is expected in the measurements, particularly for the larger electrode spacings.

Conventional measurement methods can confound this noise with the measurement signal, resulting in apparent soil resistivity readings that can be an order of magnitude or more in excess of the true values. This suggests the need for equipment that uses a signal frequency other than 50 Hz and its harmonics and can efficiently discriminate between the signal filter and the background noise during Soil Resistivity Testing

A soil resistivity tester that has sufficient signal output and filtering is key when very large pin spacings or high resistivity surface material are expected.

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About Ian

This post is written by Ian Griffiths, Principal Engineer at GreyMatters, an Earthing & Lightning Consultant of 28 years, one of the top 1% accredited CDEGS and XGSLab consultants and professional advisor to international utility companies, data centre and infrastructure developers.