Tutorial

IEEE Standard 81TM – 2012

IEEE Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity,

Ground Impedance, and Earth Surface
Potentials of a Grounding System

IEEE POWER & ENERGY SOCIETY

2014 Annual Substation Committee Meeting
Portland, Oregon, USA
May 18, 2014

Photo Courtesy of E&S

Grounding Solutions (Permission
Pending)

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THE INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS, Inc.

Substations Technical Committee

Annual Meeting
Portland, Oregon, USA
May 18-22, 2014

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial

IEEE Standard 81TM – 2012

IEEE Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity, Ground Impedance,

and Earth Surface Potentials of a Grounding System

IEEE POWER & ENERGY SOCIETY

2014 Annual Substation Committee Meeting
Portland, Oregon, USA
May 18, 2014

Photo Courtesy of E&S Grounding Solutions

(Permission Pending)

Presented by
• Bryan Beske, PE American Transmission Co.
• Cars on
on Day, PE NEE TR
TRAC/Georgia Tec h
• Dennis
Dennis DeCo
DeCostasta,, PE Common
Commonweawealth
lth Associa
Associates
tes,, Inc.
Inc.
• Lane
Lane Garret
Garrettt Common
Commonweawealth
lth Associa
Associates
tes,, Inc.
Inc.
• Jeff Jowett Megger
• Carl
Carl Mol
Moller
ler CANA
ANA High
High Volt
Voltag
agee
• Steve Palmer Safearth Consulting
• Sashi Patel NEETRAC/Georgia Tech
•  Will Sheh TectoWeld Inc.
• George VlVlachos AEMC InInstruments

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial

3

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THE INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS, Inc.

Substations Technical Committee

Annual Meeting
Portland, Oregon, USA
May 18-22, 2014

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial

IEEE Standard 81TM – 2012

IEEE Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity, Ground Impedance,

and Earth Surface Potentials of a Grounding System

IEEE POWER & ENERGY SOCIETY

2014 Annual Substation Committee Meeting
Portland, Oregon, USA
May 18, 2014

Photo Courtesy of E&S Grounding Solutions

(Permission Pending)

Presented by
• Bryan Beske, PE American Transmission Co.
• Cars on
on Day, PE NEE TR
TRAC/Georgia Tec h
• Dennis
Dennis DeCo
DeCostasta,, PE Common
Commonweawealth
lth Associa
Associates
tes,, Inc.
Inc.
• Lane
Lane Garret
Garrettt Common
Commonweawealth
lth Associa
Associates
tes,, Inc.
Inc.
• Jeff Jowett Megger
• Carl
Carl Mol
Moller
ler CANA
ANA High
High Volt
Voltag
agee
• Steve Palmer Safearth Consulting
• Sashi Patel NEETRAC/Georgia Tech
•  Will Sheh TectoWeld Inc.
• George VlVlachos AEMC InInstruments

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial

3

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Will Sheh
Tectoweld, Inc.

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial

PRESENTER TUTORIAL OBJECTIVE

What we want you to take away from this tutorial:

1. Understand the basic principles of measuring the electrical

characteristics of grounding systems
2. Learn the basic methods of measuring earth resistivity, power
frequency impedance to remote earth, step and touch voltages, and
verifying the integrity of the grounding system
3. Identify various conditions and instrument limitations that can distort
test measurements
4. Recognize that a lethal voltage can exist during testing and implement
appropriate safety precautions

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 5

AUDIENCE TUTORIAL OBJECTIVE

Why are you here today?
&
What do we want you to take away from this tutorial?:

1. Professional development hours for PE License.

2. Introduce inexperienced engineers/designers to practical methods for
ground testing.
3. Provide experienced engineers/designers with an enhanced knowledge
of test methods and techniques used for measuring the electrical
characteristics of grounding systems.

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 6

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TUTORIAL OUTLINE
1. Introduction
1.1 Test objectives & key
key definitions  Wi
 W ill Sheh 8:00 am
1.2 Safet
Safety
y considerati
considerations
ons  George
 George Vlachos
Vlachos & Jeff Jowett
Jowett 8:10 am
am
1.3 Understanding the circuit being tested  George
 George Vlachos
Vlachos & Jeff Jowett
Jowett 8:20 am
am
1.4 Typical problems
problems encountered during testing  Ca
 Carl Moller 8:30 am
2. Test methods
2.1 Earth resisti
resistivity
vity  La
 Lane Garrett 8:45 am
Break  9:45 am
2.2 Groun
Groundd Impedance
Impedance  Sh
 Shashi Patel 10:00 am
2.3 Earth potentials and step
step & touch potentials  Ca
 Carl Moller 11:00 am
Lunch 12:00 pm
2.4 Ground integrity
integrity testing
testing  Ca
 C arson Day 1:00 am
2.5 Surfa
Surface
ce aggregate
aggregate testing
testing  Br
 Bryan Beske 1:30 pm
3. Test simulations
3.1 Part 1  St
 S teve Palmer 2:00 pm
Break  3:30 pm
3.2 Part 2  St
 S teve Palmer 3:45 pm
3. Questions and answers 5:00 pm
4. Adjourn 5:30 pm

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 7

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Image Courtesy of Ground Level

Systems, LLC (Permission Pending)

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 8

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INTRODUCTION

Test Objectives
1. Earth resistivity measurements
1.1 Estimate the ground impedance of a grounding system
1.2 Estimate potential gradients including step & touch voltages
1.3 Compute inductive coupling to nearby power & communication
cables, pipelines and other metallic objects
1.4 Design cathodic protection systems

2. Impedance and potential gradient measurements

2.1 Verify the adequacy of the new grounding system
2.2 Detect changes in an existing grounding system
2.3 Identify hazardous step and touch voltages
2.4 Determine the ground potential rise (GPR)

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 1

INTRODUCTION

Key Definitions
Coupling: The association of two or more circuits or systems in such a way
that power or signal information is transferred from one to another.
Ground electrode:  A conductor embedded in the earth and used for
collecting ground current from or dissipating ground current into the earth.
Ground grid: A system of interconne cted ground electrodes arranged in a
pattern over a specified area and buried below the surface of the earth.
Ground impedance: The vector sum of resistance and reactance between a
ground electrode, grid or system and remote earth.
Remote earth:  A theoretical concept that refers to a ground electrode of zero
impedance placed an infinite distance away from the ground under test.
Remote earth is normally assumed to be at zero potential.
Soil (earth) resistivity:  A measure of how much a volume of soil will resist
an electric current and is usually expressed in !-m.

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 2

INTRODUCTION

Key Definitions (Continued)

Ground potential rise (GPR): The maximum electrical potential that a
ground electrode, grid or system might attain relative to a distant
grounding point assumed to be at the potential of remote earth.
Step voltage: The difference in surface potential that could be experienced
by a person bridging a distance of 1 meter with the feet without contacting
any grounded object.
Touch voltage: The potential difference between the GPR of a grounding
grid or system and the surface potential where a person could be
standing while at the same time having a hand in contact with a grounded
structure or object. Touch voltage measurements can include or exclude
the equivalent body resistance in the measurement circuit.
Transferred voltage:  A special case of touch voltage where a voltage is
transferred into or out of the vicinity of a ground electrode from or to a
remove point external to the ground electrode.

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 3

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George Vlachos, Jeff Jowett

AEMC Instruments Megger

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial

Safety considerations
Three Prime Safety Hazards

• Lethal voltage between electrode and ground

• Power-system fault during test

• Step & Touch Potentials

Safety considerations
Other Possible Hazards

• Ground Potential Rise

• Can reach several thousand volts!

• Lightning Strokes (Strikes)

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Safety considerations

• Create a test plan that includes Safety Rules

• Body prevented from closing circuit between points of
potential difference
• Gloves and footwear
• Isolate exposed leads and electrodes
• Keep test signal application brief
• Leads and probes kept within sight
•  Avoid induced voltages from overheads

Safety considerations
Surge Arrester Testing:

• Do not disconnect ground while primary

remains connected to energized line!

• Lightning & switching currents can exceed 50

kA.

• If arrester fails during test, system fault risk.

5

Safety considerations

Disconnecting Neutral & Shield Wires:

• Avoid coupling

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George Vlachos, Jeff Jowett

AEMC Instruments Megger

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial

Understanding the circuit being tested

• Distinctive complexities

• May need to plot multiple points

• Interference from stray voltages

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Carl Moller, P.Eng,

CANA High Voltage Ltd.

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial

Not a Simple World

• Measurements always come • Noise
 with uncertainty Manifests itself in many ways
!

• The world isn’t as simple as Noise can come and go

!

 we’d like it to be temporally

!  Variability in theory vs. actual Buried metallic structures
!

installations Nearby encroachment of

!

! Trending over time -> clearer utilities

picture
! Once installed, grounding
systems can change over time

0.09

Measurements 0.08
Measured Results

Expected Results
0.07
• My gear tells me the value is
0.012 Ohms…
0.06
!  Accuracy
   )
     !
! Precision    (
  e
  c
  n 0.05
  a
   t
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  a 0.04
  r
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! harmonics? 0.03

! power frequencies?
! DC noise? 0.02

0.01

0.00
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Distance FromCenter (m)

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Test Electrodes
• Test electrodes can introduce
mutual ground resistances
• For fall of potential testing the
return electrodes can influence
the voltage measurements by
significant amounts
• Stray AC and DC currents will
pick up through the electrodes
Test gear has to be able to
!

reject this noise

Stray noise can be a
!

significant safety concern

Telluric currents
!

Scalar Potential Showing Mutual Conductive Effects

-5--4 -4--3 -3--2 -2--1 -1-0 0-1 1-2

-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

May XX, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 5

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0.2585V
Test Lead Coupling
• Test leads may be inductively coupled
!Close parallel leads for “zero degree” tests
!Close parallel leads for long Wenner/Schlumberger
soil resistivity Tests
• Coiling effects
!Test lead current and potential reels can interfere
 with each other
0.1822V

Test Lead Coupling

  d

Reading Point

nxd

 d

nxd

   t
  n
   i
  o
   P
  g
  n
   i
   d
  a
  e
   R
Source: CDEGS 2008 Users’ Group
Meeting Conference Proceedings –
“Automation and Fall of Potential
Testing” by Carl Moller

Frequency Dependency
Area/Depth 50   TimesDiagonal 10   Soil LH

,-./01 .34 56789: ;8<=88> ,-./01 .34 Q8=H ;8<=88>

• Extend 10x .6?8@ABC;DE6F8> ; 6G<H7GIDJ H6IKLG=:A.=8MN87O: .6?8@ABC;DE6F8> ; 6G<H7GIDJ H6IKLG=:A.=8MN87O:
&'!!!! "')!!!

diagonal of !'+!!! "'")!!

!'%!!! "'!!!!

ground grid    8 !'*!!!

   O
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&    8 &'*)!!
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•  Vary frequency    6

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   7 !'#!!!    7 &'!!!!

• Up to 180% Error
   8
   =    8
   =
   G !'(!!!    G !'*)!!
   P    P
   P    P
   B !'"!!!    B !')!!!

if not accounting !'&!!! !'")!!

!'!!!! !'!!!!

for lead coupling ! " # $ % & !

E 8 >9 4 H 6 7 9
& " & # &$ & % "! ! " # $ % & !

E 8 >9 4 H 6 7 9
& " &# & $ &% " !

• Low over High ,-./01 .34 56789: 0==H=T69U VBWQ ,-./01 .34 Q8=H 0==H=T69U VBWQ

resistivity soil .6?8@ABC;DE6F8> ; 6G<H7GIDJ H6IKLG=:A.=8MN87O:

$!'!!S
.6?8@ABC;DE6F8> ; 6G<H7GIDJ H6IKLG=:A.=8MN87O:
"!!'!!S

)!'!!S
&)!'!!S
   Q    Q
   W #!'!!S &    W &
   B    B
   V )"    V )"
    U
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   9 &!!'!!S
   6 (!'!!S $!    6 $!
   X    X
   = &"%    = &"%
   H
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   =
   = "!'!!S    =
   0    0 )!'!!S
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   7    7
   8 &!'!!S    8
   O
   =    O
   =
   8    8 !'!!S
   4    4
!'!!S

Source: CDEGS 2008 Users’ Group R&!'!!S R)!'!!S

Meeting Conference Proceedings – ! " # $ % & ! &" & # &$ & % "! ! " # $ % & ! &" &# & $ &% " !

E 8 >9 4 H 6 7 9 E 8 >9 4 H 6 7 9
“Automation and Fall of Potential
Testing” by Carl Moller

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10

Buried metallic objects

• Pipelines (Cathodic
Protection systems)
• Rail Lines
• Foundations with rebar
• Fences
• Geologicalvariations
• Transmission line tower
grounds
•  Adjacent facility
grounding systems
• Multi-groundedneutral
networks
• Telephone/Cable
grounds

Source image courtesy of Dr. Bill Carman: DREC2012, 'Vt is not enough

Common Pitfalls
• Hiring an inexperienced contractor
• Not knowing what to do with the test data.
• Interpretation of questionable results
• Dealing with variability in expected
measurements
• Forgetting to accurately record measurements or
locations
• Not understanding the test circuit
11

!"

!"# %" &'%()*)(% %+,-.

Site Soil TestingSurvey

1E+3

TSR-1 NE-SW
TSR-1 NW-SE
1E+2 TSR-2 E-W
TSR-2 N-S
TSR-3 NE-SW
TSR-3 NW-SE
TSR-4 NE-SW
   )
  m
  - TSR-4 NW-SE
     !
   (
  y
   t TSR-5 N-S
   i
  v
   i
   t
  s
   i
  s
  e
TSR-5 E-W
   R
   t
  n
  e
TSR-6 NE-SW
  r
  a
  p
  p TSR-6 NW-SE
   A
MSR-1 NE-SW
MSR-1 NW-SE
MSR-2 N-S

1E+1 MSR-2 E-W

DSR-1 NW-SE

1E+0
0.1 1 10 1 00 1 00 0

Spacing (m)

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13

Questions

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TEST METHODS
Earth resistivity
Lane Garrett
Commonwealth Associates

• General: Safety, Circuit, Problems, Environmental

• How to perform/basic principles: Wenner, Schlumberger,
Driven Rod, Computer-based Multi-meter
• Interferences
• Interpretation of results: During testing, Visual, Software

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 1

TEST METHODS

General

Safety
• PPE
• Hard-soled (steel toe?) shoes
• Safety glasses
• Leather gloves
• Traffic vest/cones
•  Voltages/currents during testing
• Call before you dig (or drive rods into the ground)

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 2

TEST METHODS

General

Circuit
• Current source – circulate current into ground between two
pins
•  Voltmeter – measure voltage between two pins
•  Wire – connects current source and voltmeter to various pins

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 3

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TEST METHODS

General

Problems
•  Access to site:
• New site – grubbed, graded, final soil compaction
• Existing site – where to test
• Injecting sufficient current – varies with instrument type
• Earth is not uniform
• Interferences

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 4

TEST METHODS

General

Environment
• See access to site
•  Avoiding other construction activities
• Near roadway?
•  When to test
• Design schedule/materials delivery dictated?
•  When is site available?
•  Wait until final substation grading?
• Soil moisture and temperature

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 5

TEST METHODS

General

Effect of moisture on soil resistivity

10000

  /
  .
   -
   , 1 0 0 0
  +
   )
   #
  *
   #
   )
  (
   #
  (
  '
   & 10 0
   $
   #
  "
   !

10
0 10 20 30 40 50

Moisture Image Courtesy of

Southern Company

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 6

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TEST METHODS

General

Effect of temperature on soil resistivity

10000

   .
  /
   .
   - 1000
   ,
   +
   )
   #
   *
   #
   )
   (
   #
   (
   ' 100
   &
   $
   #
   "
   !

10
-20 -10 0 10 20 30
Temperature (C)
Image Courtesy of
Southern Company

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 7

TEST METHODS

Basic Principles

• Inject current into earth to create potentials throughout the

earth
• Measure voltage between two pins
•  Apparent resistance is V/I
• From test geometry, derive formula to convert apparent
resistance to apparent soil resistivity
• Simple formulas assume uniform soil resistivity
•  Apparent soil resistivity: the equivalent, overall resistivity
of a volume of soil with varying properties

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 8

TEST METHODS

Basic Principles
-80--60 -60--40 -40--20 -20-0 0-20 20-40 40-60 60-80

80

60
40
20
0
-20
-40
-60
-80

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 9

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TEST METHODS
 Wenner 4-pin test

4( a R
 )  =  "  = 2!  a R
a & # & # a
$ 2a !'$ a !
1+ Image Courtesy of
$ 2 2! $ 2 2!
Southern Company

% a + 4b " % a +b "

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 10

TEST METHODS
 Wenner 4-pin test

• Measure series of apparent resistivities by varying pin spacings

along a straight line (profile)
• Run at least two profiles across the site in different directions
• For each profile, plot apparent resistivity vs. pin spacing
• Use visual method or computer programs to determine layered soil
resistivity model
• Sample pin spacings: 2’, 4’, 6’, 8’, 16’, 24’ 32’,…96’ (or larger for very
large substations or generating plants)

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 11

TEST METHODS
 Wenner 4-pin test - Good test location?

Image Courtesy of
Southern Company
May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 12

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TEST METHODS
Schlumberger-Palmer test

 !a=  " c(c+d)R/d
Image Courtesy of
Southern Company
“depth” = (2c + d)/2

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 13

TEST METHODS
Schlumberger-Palmer test

•  Vary potential (inner) pin separation, keeping distances

 between potential and current pins equal
• Can leave current pins in one place, moving only potential pins
• Could speed up measurement process – move 2 pins
instead of 4 pins
• Might better detect changes in soil resistivity vs. depth
•  Associate each apparent resistivity measurement with depth
(spacing) computed using (2c + d)/2
• Run at least two profiles across the site in different directions
• For each profile, plot apparent resistivity vs. pin spacing
• Use visual method or computer programs to determine layered
soil resistivity model

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 14

TEST METHODS
Driven-rod test

I
Test Rod
Diameter “d”  V  S
P1
C1 P2 C2
2(   L R
 ) a =

& 8 L #
ln $ ' 1!
% d  "

0.62D

Image Courtesy of
Southern Company

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 15

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TEST METHODS
Driven-rod test

• Drive ground rod to varying depths. For each depth:

• Circulate current between ground rod and remote current pin
• Measure voltage between ground rod and potential pin
• Resistance is V/I
• See section 2.2 for testing ground rod impedance
• Use simple (uniform soil assumption) formula to compute apparent
resistivity
• Sample depths: 2’, 4’, 6’, 8’, 10’, 15’ 20’,…100’ (or refusal)
• Drive test rods at multiple locations across the site
• For each test rod location, plot apparent resistivity vs. pin spacing
• Use visual method or computer programs to determine layered soil
resistivity model

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 16

TEST METHODS
Driven-rod test - Don’t do this!

Image Courtesy of
Southern Company

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 17

TEST METHODS

Computer-based Multimeter

Image Courtesy of Advanced

Grounding Concepts

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 18

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TEST METHODS

Computer-based Multimeter

• Injects “white noise” current – as high as several Amperes

•  Automatically switches between the multiple potential
probes
• Each measurement is actually several Schlumberger-Palmer
measurements
• Software automatically displays 2-layer soil and parameter
errors

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 19

TEST METHODS

Errors due to limited probe spacing

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 20

TEST METHODS
Interferences

•  Any conductive “object” in the vicinity that can divert the test
current or distort the soil potentials
• Metal fences
• Buried pipes (metal)
• Grounding systems
• Transmission or distribution pole grounds, especially i f
connected to other pole grounds
• Distribution cables with bare concentric neutrals
•  Any circuit that can induce voltages onto test leads
• Transmission or distribution lines
• Outside sources of current in the soil
• Lack of space to achieve desired maximum pin spacing

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 21

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TEST METHODS

Example of interference – 3 ft parallel to grid

• 4-pin resistance at 10 ft spacing = 9.45

• Interference-free resistance = 15.11

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 22

TEST METHODS

Example of interference – perpendicular to grid

• 4-pin resistance at 10 ft spacing = 14.12

• Interference-free resistance = 15.11

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 23

TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results - software

“Perfect 2-layer soil: !2< !1

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 24

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TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results - software

“Perfect 2-layer soil: !2> !1

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 25

TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results - software

Wenner Method Field Data Cancel Accept
RUNMEASUREMENTSFOR300,100,20 SOILMODEL Print Copy Import Export
GroundingSystem/ GeometricModel I
Sort Default* Update Update
V
ProbeSpacing ProbeLeng h Resisance Apparen Resis iviy
inee (a) ininches(L) inOhms(V/I) Ohm-Meers
1 1. 0000 3. 0000 151. 40 289 95
. a a a L
2 3. 0000 3. 0000 51. 940 298 41
.
3 5. 0000 3. 0000 31. 130 298 09
.
4 10. 000 3. 0000 15. 110 289 37
.
5 15. 000 3. 0000 9.4 530 271 55
.
6 20. 000 3. 0000 6.4 930 248 70
.
7 30. 000 3. 0000 3.5 270 202 64
.
8 50. 000 3. 0000 1.5 050 144 11
.
9 70. 000 3. 0000 0. 8975 0 120 32
.
10 90. 000 3. 0000 0. 6424 0 110 72
.
11 110. 00 3. 0000 0. 5054 0 106 47
.
12 130. 00 3. 0000 0. 4190 0 104 32
.
13 150. 00 3. 0000 0. 3589 0 103 10
.
14
15
16

DeleteMeasur ement BadMeasurements

DeleteAllMeasurements M ar k/ Unmar k Un m
akr Al l

ProbeDiameter  0.560 inches AlgorithmControls

Distance Raw-Meas
*Default ProbeLength 3.00 inches
NoCorrection Model Corrected
InducedVoltageCorrection RealPartOnly Plot
OperatingFrequency 72.00 Hz Upper Rho: 300.64 m
Real+Reactive
Model/Data Lower Rho: 100.04 m
V/ILead Separation 20.00 feet View CorrectedData
Layer Depth: 19.94 feet

Sensitivit
Objectiv
e: 0.000000
3Layer  ModelFit SoilModel STOP Process StateLimits

Advanced Grounding Concepts Form SOIL_WENNER - Copyright© A. P. Meliopoulos 1998-2013

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 26

TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results - software

Wenner Method Soil Parameters Close Wenner Method Model Fit Report Close
Case Name 300-100-SOIL-MEASUREMENTS File: RUNMEASUREMENTSFOR300,100,20SOIL MODEL
Description RUNMEASUREMENTSFOR300,100,20SOILMODEL Description: GroundingSystem/ GeometricModel
GroundingSystem/GeometricModel
SoilResistiv ityModel PlotCursors XScale
SoilResistivityModel Exp.Value Tolerance
U pp er S oi l Re si st iv it y 300.9 O hm Me te rs SeparationDistance Linea
UpperS oil Resistivity 300.9 0.8 Ohm Meters
L ow er S oi l Re si st iv it y 100.1 O hm Me te rs Measured Log
Lower Soil Resistivity 100.1 0.3 Ohm Meters
U ppe r Laye r Thi ckn es s 19.9 Fe et Computed
Upper Layer Thickness 19.9 0.1 Feet

 AtConfidence Level  90.0 %

Resultsare validtodepth of  225.0 Feet

Conf: Error: Conf: Error: Conf: Error:

ProgramWinIGS - FormSOIL_RA Program WinIGS - Form SOIL_RB

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 27

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TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results - software

D
  rivenRodMethodFieldData Cancel Accept
RUNMEASUREMENTSFOR300,100 ,20SOIL MODEL-3 -PINTEST
GroundingSystem/ GeometricModel I Probe
DrivenGround Rod Parameters
Table Operations
X(feet) feet
V
Print Import 0.000
 Y(feet) 0.000 feet
C op y Ex po rt h
Diameter  0.625 inches

VoltageProbe CurrentReturn
Sort Update Update
X 1000.002 -1000.002 feet
RodLengthinContact Resistance ApparentResisti vity  Y 0.000 0.000 feet
w ih
t S oi l i n F
e e th
() i n Oh ms ( V / I ) OhmMeters
Diameter  0.625 0.625 inches
1 10
. 0
0 0 64 7.7 0 3 07.4 6
Length 4.000 4.000 feet
2 30
. 0
0 0 27 0.7 0 3 03.0 0
3 50
. 0
0 0 17 7.2 0 3 00.6 5
4 1 0
. 0
0 0 97 7
. 10 2 95.2 9
5 1 5
. 0
0 0 67 9
. 30 2 89.4 2
6 2 0
. 0
0 0 50 9
. 00 2 77.3 2
7 3 0
. 0
0 0 21 8
. 50 1 68.8 3
8 5 0
. 0
0 0 10 9
. 90 1 32.4 3
9 7 0
. 0
0 0 7. 4
8 30 1 21.1 1
10 9 0
. 0
0 0 5. 7
1 70 1 15.4 6
11 1 1
00. 0 4. 6
4 40 1 12.0 0
12 1 3
00. 0 3. 9
1 90 1 09.6 1
13 1 5
00. 0 3. 3
9 50 1 07.8 2
14
15

DeleteMeasureme nt BadMeasurements
DeleteAll Measurements M ar k / Un ma rk Un ma rk A l
AlgorithmControls
ViewCorrected Data Distance ft Raw Meas
InducedVol tage Correction
NoCorrection Model Corrected
Ope ra it ng Fre quency 72.00 Hz RealPartOnly Plot
Upper Rho: 307.77 m
V/ILead Separation 20.00 feet Real+Reactive Model/DataF LowerRho: 101.78 m
LayerDepth: 20.04 feet

Model Fit Soil Model STOP Process StateLimits Objective: 0.000000

ProgramW inIGS - FormS OIL_DRIVENROD

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 28

TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results - software

Driven Rod Method Soil Parameters Close Driven Rod Method Model Fit Report Close
Case Name 3-PIN-300-100-SOIL-MEASUREMENTS File: RUNMEASUREMENTSFOR300,100,20SOILMODEL-3-PINTEST
Description RUNMEASUREMENTSFOR300,100,20SOILMODEL-3-PIN TEST Description: GroundingSystem/GeometricModel
GroundingSystem/ GeometricModel
SoilResistivityModel PlotCursors XScale
SoilResistivityModel Exp.Value Tolerance
U pp er S oi l Re si st iv it y 307.0 O hm M et er s RodLength   Linea
Upper Soil Resistivity 307.0 0.5 Ohm Meters
L ow er S oi l Re si st iv it y 101.8 O hm M et er s Measured Log
Lower Soil Resistivity 101.8 0.2 Ohm Meters
Up pe r La ye r Th c
i k ne ss 20.0 F ee t Computed
Upper Layer Thickness 20.0 0.0 Feet

 AtConfidenceLevel  90.0 %
Resultsare validto depthof  300.0 Feet

Conf: Error: Conf: Error: Conf: Error:

ProgramWinIG S- FormSOIL_RA Program WinIGS - Form SOIL_RB

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 29

TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results - visual

• The computed apparent resistivities are always positiv e.
•  As the actual resistivity increases or decreases with greater depth,
the apparent resistivities also increase or decrease with greater
probe spacings.
• The maximum change in apparent resistivity occurs at a spacing
larger than the depth at which the corresponding change in actual
resistivity occurs. Thus, the changes in apparent resistivity are
always plotted to the right of the probe spacing corresponding to
the change in actual resistivity.
• The amplitude of the curve is always less than or equal to the
amplitude of the actual resistivity vs. depth curve.
• In a multi-layer model, a change in the actual resistivity of a thick
layer results in a similar change in the apparent resistivity curve.

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 30

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TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results - visual

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 31

TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results – during testing

• If using software, input data in laptop while at site

• If using visual techniques, plot measurements by
converting measured resistance to apparent resistivity
• Does apparent resistivity profile match expected based on
soil type and environmental conditions?
• If results jump all over, check connections and/or look for
interferences

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 32

TEST METHODS

Interpretation of results – during testing

The good – driven rod test
 DrivenRodMethodFieldData Cancel Accept
T14067-PIEDMONTTSGPR
Groundin
gSystem/ GeometricModel I Probe
TableOperations DrivenGroundRod Parameters
V
Print Import X(feet) 0.000 feet
 Y(feet) 0.000 feet
C op y Ex po rt h
Diameter  0.625 inches

Sort Update Update VoltageProbe CurrentReturn

X 62.000 100.000 feet
R od L e ng h
t i n C on a t ct R e sis at n ce ApparentResistivity  Y 0.000 0.000 feet
wih t S oi l i n F ee t ( h) i n O hm s ( V / I ) OhmMeters
Diameter  0.625 0.625 inches
1 2.0 0
00 1600 0
. 1 2
96.3
Length 1.000 1.000 feet
2 4.0 0
00 1000 0
. 1 4
13.2
3 6.0 0
00 730.0 0 1 4
39.8
4 8.0 0
00 560.0 0 1 4
03.3
5 10. 0
00 490.0 0 1 4
80.9
6 12. 0
00 400.0 0 1 4
10.1
7 14. 0
00 330.0 0 1 3
25.8
8 16. 0
00 290.0 0 1 3
05.5
9 18. 0
00 250.0 0 1 2
44.5
10 20. 0
00 230.0 0 1 2
53.1
11 22. 0
00 200.0 0 1 1
82.6
12 24. 0
00 190.0 0 1 2
10.8
13 26. 0
00 170.0 0 1 1
60.8
14 28. 0
00 160.0 0 1 1
64.7
15 30. 0
00 150.0 0 1 1
59.0

DeleteMeasurement BadMeasurements
DeleteAllMeasurement s M ar k / Un ma rk U nm ar k Al l
AlgorithmContr ols
ViewCorrected Data
Distance ft Raw Meas
InducedVoltage Correction
NoCorrection Model Corrected
Ope a
r it ng Fre que ncy 72.00 Hz RealPartOnly Plot
Upper Rho: 1438.22 m
V/I LeadSeparation 20.00 feet Real+Reactive Model/DataF
LowerRho: 824.33 m
LayerDepth: 19.00 feet Image Courtesy of
Model Fit Soil Model STOP Process StateLimits Objective: 0.000000 Southern Company
ProgramWinIG S- FormSOIL_DRIVENROD

May 18, 2014 IEEE PES Std 81-2012 Tutorial 33

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