Testing earth stake efficiency
 

I am wondering if anyone can enlighten me on how to test ones earth stake
efficiency?

The only item I am aware of goes back a real long way and that is the wind
it yourself megga tester!

Any modern ways of doing it these days or does one just hope for the best!

Am using an 8 ft galvanized rod.

JERD
VK5JE

Testing earth stake efficiency
 

"JERD" wrote in message
...
I am wondering if anyone can enlighten me on how to test ones earth stake
efficiency?

The only item I am aware of goes back a real long way and that is the wind
it yourself megga tester!

Any modern ways of doing it these days or does one just hope for the best!

Am using an 8 ft galvanized rod.

JERD
VK5JE


JERD

There is a specific instrument called a three terminal earth impedence meter
used to measure earth impedence. Three electrodes are driven into the ground
at set distances and the earth impedence is measured directly by the meter.

This equipment is intended to ensure that a sufficiently low impedence
exists for safety electrical earth connections to operate fuse, circuit
breaker or residual current devices reliably. Most professional electricians
will have such a device (or at least know where they can get hold of one).

An earth connection that is satisfactory for electrical supply safety
purposes may not necessarily be adequate for RF use.

Mike G0ULI

Testing earth stake efficiency
 

"Mike Kaliski" wrote in message
...

"JERD" wrote in message
...
I am wondering if anyone can enlighten me on how to test ones earth stake
efficiency?


An earth connection that is satisfactory for electrical supply safety
purposes may not necessarily be adequate for RF use.

Mike G0ULI

Mike, can you please elaborate on this last sentence for me please?

JERD

Testing earth stake efficiency
 

"JERD" wrote in message
...

"Mike Kaliski" wrote in message
...

"JERD" wrote in message
...
I am wondering if anyone can enlighten me on how to test ones earth stake
efficiency?


An earth connection that is satisfactory for electrical supply safety
purposes may not necessarily be adequate for RF use.

Mike G0ULI

Mike, can you please elaborate on this last sentence for me please?

JERD

I have replied in detail off forum but to summarise, the consumer earth
connection is provided for electrical safety purposes to reduce the chance
of lethal shock from the supply and to ensure that circuit protection
devices operate to prevent the risk of fire under fault conditions. It is
not provided for radio applications.

Having the best earth in the world can all be negated by then running a long
earth cable up the wall of a building to an upper storey radio installation.
Keep earthing runs as short as possible and ideally have your radio
equipment installed on the ground floor or in a garden shed.

Mike G0ULI

Testing earth stake efficiency
 

JERD wrote:
"I am wondering if anyone can enlighten me on how to test ones earth
stake efficiency?"

Copper-clad rods will greatly outlast galvanized rods.

Reg Edwards, G4FGQ had among his trove of free programs one called
"Earthies", if I recall. Reg is now a silent key (SK) but his programs
survive and are still available free.

Search on: K3HRN site with G4FGQ programs. The site will appear. I had
always wondered what Reg looked like. His portrait is on this site.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI

Testing earth stake efficiency
 

"JERD" wrote in
:

I am wondering if anyone can enlighten me on how to test ones earth
stake efficiency?

The only item I am aware of goes back a real long way and that is the
wind it yourself megga tester!

Any modern ways of doing it these days or does one just hope for the
best!


I assume you are trying to measure the low frequency resistance of the
electrode. The minimum reliable method is known as the three wire fall of
potential method... Google for it.

Galvanised electrodes are less consistenn that copper clad electrodes, so
you may find repeated measurements over time vary more than accounted for
by soil characteristics alone.

Owen