Soil Treatment to Reduce Grounding Resistance by Applying Low-Resistivity Material (LRM) Implemented in Different Grounding Systems Configurations and in Soils with Different Resistivities

Abstract

In the present study, field tests were performed using low-resistivity materials (LRMs) in different grounding system (GS) configurations to reduce the grounding resistance (GR) and assess the variation in the effectiveness of the LRMs with increases in the complexity of the GS design. Different configurations were implemented in soils with different resistivity values to determine the variation in the effectiveness of each LRM design with increases in the soil resistivity. Lastly, the percentage decrease in the GR was assessed as a function of the increase in the complexity of the GS design and the variation in the soil resistivity. The results of this study provide a useful guide for engineers and researchers who study, design, and build innovative and effective GSs by applying improved compounds for safe electrical installations.

Keywords

• soil resistivity
• low-resistivity material (LRM)
• grounding systems
• grounding resistance