Co-authored by wikiHow Staff | Updated: March 29, 2019
A ground rod is an important part of an electrical system. It allows uncontrolled electricity to go to the ground instead of causing a fire or damaging a building. When installing a ground rod, you need to make sure that electricity will easily flow through it into the earth. The resistance to the flow of electricity is measured by a ground meter and is read in ohms. The lower the number of ohms of resistance a grounding system has, the better your protection is.
Method 1 | Using a Clamp-on Ground Meter
1 | Get a clamp-on ground meter
A clamp-on ground meter is a specialized electronic machine that checks electrical resistance. These meters can range from about $100 (USD) to over $1500 for professional models. They are available at hardware stores, home improvement stores, and online retailers of electrical supplies.
- The clamp-on meter will give you a reading in “ohms,” which is the unit of measurement for resistance. It may be signified with the symbol “Ω” on the meter.
2 | Clamp the meter on the ground rod or grounding electrode conductor
Open the clamp by pressing the lever on the side of the meter and holding it down. Then put the clamp around the grounding electrode conductor or the top of the ground rod. Let the clamp close by letting go of the lever.
- The meter should be used as close to the ground rod as possible. Using it further down the electrical system, such as near the electrical panel, will read other ground sources in addition to the ground rod.
3 | Turn on the meter
How you start the meter depends on the specific brand you have. Some simply have a button that says “power” or “on.” Others have a dial that needs to be set to ohms.
- If you are unsure of how to turn on your ground meter, follow the directions included with it.
4 | Assess the readings on the meter
Method 2 | Using an Earth Electrode Tester
1 | Get an earth electrode tester
This is an older type of resistance meter that uses multiple ground probes and wires to assess a ground rod’s resistance. This type of tester is usually available at hardware and home improvement stores, as well as from online retailers.
- Using an earth electrode tester instead of a clamp-on tester will take a lot more time and effort. If you have the option of using a clamp-on meter instead, do it.
2 | Insert 2 ground probes into the ground
The ground probes need to be inserted into the ground at specific distances away from the ground rod. The furthest ground probe needs to be at a distance that is 10 times the length of the ground rod. For instance, if the ground rod is 8 feet (2.4 m) long, the furthest probe should be 80 feet (24 m) away. The second ground rod should be located halfway between the furthest probe and the ground rod.
- The ground probes are typically about 1 foot (0.30 m) long. They should be inserted into the ground until the top of them is just visible.
- The leads that come with earth electrode testers are typically very long, so they should reach the required distance.
3 | Connect all three leads
The three leads your meter comes with should be inserted into the openings on the meter. Then, the other end of 1 of the leads needs to be connected to the top of the ground rod. The other 2 each need to be connected to one of the ground probes.
- In general, it doesn’t matter which lead goes to which ground rod or probe. However, the lead for the furthest ground probe should be the longest one so that it will reach.
4 | Turn on the meter and take a reading
How you turn on the meter depends on the specific type of meter you have. Most have a dial that should be set to the ohm symbol or to a mark that says “3 pole,” which is referencing your 3 points of contact with the earth. Once the meter is on, read what the screen says.
- If a ground rod has a good connection to ground, its reading should be a number below 25.
5 | Verify your original reading
Move one of your probes to a location 2 feet (0.61 m) closer to the ground rod. Take a reading of the resistance once again. Then move that same probe so it is 2 feet (0.61 m) closer to the second probe than it was originally. Take another reading. All the readings that you get should be very similar.
- To ensure that your ground rod is sufficient, the average of all 3 readings should be less than 25 ohms.
Method 3 | Reducing Grounding System Resistance
1 | Make sure the grounding system connections are secure
If you don’t get a satisfactory ground reading, check your grounding system for problems. Make sure the clamp that connects the ground rod and the grounding circuit conductor is very tight. Also ensure that the ground electrode conductor is solidly connected to the grounding bar in the electrical panel.
- Most electrical systems also have secondary grounding means, such as the grounding bar being connected to a cold water pipe that goes into the ground. Make sure that the secondary grounding means is also securely connected.
2 | Install a new ground rod in a different location
In some instances, ground rods can be installed in areas where the earth has a lot of resistance. For instance, if a ground rod is driven into a very rocky and dry area it may not conduct electricity into the ground well. If this is the case for your ground rod, the best solution is to drive a different rod into a different location.
- This may not require you to put a ground rod a long distance away from the original rod. Even a few feet can make a difference for the ground resistance.
3 | Install a second ground rod
If you have too much resistance in your initial ground rod, you can connect a second one in series to reduce the overall resistance. This will ensure that any ground fault will be able to go to ground easily.
- Your second ground rod should be located at a distance that is equal to the length of your ground rod. For example, if your first ground rod is 8 feet (2.4 m) long, your second ground rod should be located 8 feet (2.4 m) from the first ground rod.
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