People often feel safer when residing in grounded buildings which are installed with the right earthing systems. The systems are essential in giving safety to dwellers and electronic devices by providing a safer path for the colossal current from a lightning strike or even from an over-voltage system. Therefore, the earthing systems necessitate for regular ground testing exercises. They are aimed at affirming that the earth resistance does not increase and also to ensure that the systems are in good condition.
Traditionally, technicians used antique test apparatus and probes. The probes were primarily used to introduce current into the ground between the test electrodes and the control probe used. This was shadowed by the actual measuring of current. Only the drop or rise in voltage was recorded for the soil embedded by the apparatus. After taking the readings, the technician would use Ohm principles to compute the earth resistance proximate to the grounding system.
With the development of new instrumentation, the test procedure was standardized by the use of two modern approaches. They were introduced by making slight modifications so as to deal with special situations that needed fine-tuning. It also aimed at improving the productivity and functionality of earthing systems. However, both methods deploy similar instrumentation which has undergone a steady improvement to enhance safety, convenience, accuracy, and ease of operations.
The first approach is the fall-of-potential method. It requires complete isolation from the power utility. It also includes the removal of any neutral or ground connections that extends outside the grounding system. This procedure suits to be the most suitable test for extremely large earthing systems. It also scores awesomely for small electrodes. It is, however, labor-intensive and time-consuming approach.
In addition, the other approach is the stake-less method. It is the only approach that can be carried out when the system is connected to a power utility. It thus obliges the technician to connect the test apparatus with a reliable power source. The test is most effective in small electrode regions because it gives the results of frequencies in kilohertz units. It is however not effective in testing long conducting regions.
In order to generate viable data schedule for a ground test, the technicians should make use of the right procedure and effective apparatus should be employed. This increases the accuracy of findings as well as making the test to be subtler and swift. Other factors should be maintained accordingly to enhance the results. Some factors such as heavy rainfall reduce the resistance of soils than it would be under normal situations.
Moreover, computer-aided testing approaches have been invented to offer complete and accurate results. They require little or no need for extra analysis as was the case in other approaches. They also do not need de-energizing or isolating the ground system being tested. The systems used are high powered and have the ability to identify and eliminate background noise, Electromagnetic Interference, stray currents from the test results.
Thus, the testing procedures have undergone a series of evolution phases with an unobstructed focus of enhancing accuracy and convenience. This has also been as a result of advancement in instruments used to carry out the tests. It is a pivotal activity that aids in improving the overall functionality and safety of earthing systems.
Traditionally, technicians used antique test apparatus and probes. The probes were primarily used to introduce current into the ground between the test electrodes and the control probe used. This was shadowed by the actual measuring of current. Only the drop or rise in voltage was recorded for the soil embedded by the apparatus. After taking the readings, the technician would use Ohm principles to compute the earth resistance proximate to the grounding system.
With the development of new instrumentation, the test procedure was standardized by the use of two modern approaches. They were introduced by making slight modifications so as to deal with special situations that needed fine-tuning. It also aimed at improving the productivity and functionality of earthing systems. However, both methods deploy similar instrumentation which has undergone a steady improvement to enhance safety, convenience, accuracy, and ease of operations.
The first approach is the fall-of-potential method. It requires complete isolation from the power utility. It also includes the removal of any neutral or ground connections that extends outside the grounding system. This procedure suits to be the most suitable test for extremely large earthing systems. It also scores awesomely for small electrodes. It is, however, labor-intensive and time-consuming approach.
In addition, the other approach is the stake-less method. It is the only approach that can be carried out when the system is connected to a power utility. It thus obliges the technician to connect the test apparatus with a reliable power source. The test is most effective in small electrode regions because it gives the results of frequencies in kilohertz units. It is however not effective in testing long conducting regions.
In order to generate viable data schedule for a ground test, the technicians should make use of the right procedure and effective apparatus should be employed. This increases the accuracy of findings as well as making the test to be subtler and swift. Other factors should be maintained accordingly to enhance the results. Some factors such as heavy rainfall reduce the resistance of soils than it would be under normal situations.
Moreover, computer-aided testing approaches have been invented to offer complete and accurate results. They require little or no need for extra analysis as was the case in other approaches. They also do not need de-energizing or isolating the ground system being tested. The systems used are high powered and have the ability to identify and eliminate background noise, Electromagnetic Interference, stray currents from the test results.
Thus, the testing procedures have undergone a series of evolution phases with an unobstructed focus of enhancing accuracy and convenience. This has also been as a result of advancement in instruments used to carry out the tests. It is a pivotal activity that aids in improving the overall functionality and safety of earthing systems.
About the Author:
You can find an overview of the advantages you get when you use professional electrical ground testing services at http://www.sgsgrounding.net/services today.
No comments:
Post a Comment