Comparative Field Analysis of Soil Resistivity Test Equipment: Evaluating Performance, Accuracy and Features

Electrical Soil resistivity is a key input into any earthing system design. As such the measurement of soil resistivity needs to be done with relative accuracy and with confidence in the equivalent model that is obtained. Whilst training and understanding of the purpose, methods and sources of error are critical in the ability of engineers to obtain data with confidence. The meters themselves, used for collecting data may also impact the level of confidence a designer may have in the electrical soil model obtained.

This presentation aims to explore the performance and accuracy of various soil resistivity meters, for real-world soil resistivity testing.

Whilst lab testing may provide an insight into the comparative performance of different meters, field testing is never as ideal as lab testing, and factors in the field may impact some meters more than others.

Soil resistivity can range from very low ranges such as 5Ω.m to values in the kΩ.m, and the response of the soil itself to current may vary. As such a direct comparison field testing allows for evaluation of the performance of various meters against one another across a number of environments.

Throughout this presentation a comparison of various meters will be presented, from methodology used for comparison through to results and any conclusions that can be drawn.