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Earth rod question

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  • 19-08-2021 10:26pm
    #1
    liam1987
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭


    Is there a way to prove that a house has an earth rod installed if I can't physically get at or see the earth rod.

    My thinking was:

    If I do a fault loop test and get a reading of say •25 and then I disconnect the main earth at the board and do the test again I should get a low reading if an earth rod is installed and connected properly. Does anyone know if this is correct and what approximate value should I get. Obviously it will be higher than •25 but not sure what I should expect to get.

    Thanks.



Comments

  • Options
    #2
    meercat
    Registered Users Posts: 4,726 ✭✭✭meercat


    the earth rod inspection chamber should be visible and available for inspection. a good indicator would be the number of 10sq at the earth busbar but I wouldn’t rely on that. My advice is to drop another earth rod. Only a rec is permitted to work on main distribution boards


    if the main neutralising link is disconnected you should get a higher earth loop impedance reading



  • Options
    #3
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,532 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058204890/earth-rod-question

    The connection to earth via the earth electrode is quite high (I would expect over 100 Ω). It is connected in parallel with multiple other earth electrodes (from local houses) unless you have a dedicated transformer (this can be the case in rural areas). What also needs to be considered is the very low resistance parallel path via the neurtral. Therefore to answer you question, no I don't think your proposal would work. As above, if you suspect that you don't have an earth electrode then you should have one installed.



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