Comparative field assessment of grounding enhancement material for electrical earthing system

Abstract

Grounding enhancement material (GEM) is used to lower the earthing resistance value of a given earthing system. In this paper, a commercially available GEM is experimented at the field alongside with Sodium Chloride, Copper II Sulphate and planting soil. The well established Wenner’s 4 pole method and fall of potential method was employed to measure the soil resistivity and earthing resistance respectively. It was found that the salts i.e., Sodium Chloride and Copper II Sulphate are superior in reducing the earthing resistance as reduction of more than 85% were observed. However, the commercial GEM has exhibited the most stable earthing resistance value over a period of 101 days, exhibiting the lowest standard deviation. This seems to suggest that the commercial GEM has superior moisture retention capability. This study also proven that Sodium Chloride can be dissolved by heavy downpour and replenishing it periodically is needed in a tropical country like Malaysia with regular thunderstorms and heavy downpours.